For Erika Aaron, a 2023 Racial & Economic Justice Giving Project alum, volunteering with Bread & Roses has been a transformative experience. Erika, a lifelong Philadelphia resident, has been involved with Bread & Roses since the 1970s “I first heard of Bread & Roses as a community-based organization that was working for radical change. I immediately felt like Bread & Roses represented my values and my political beliefs.”
The Giving Project gave Erika a unique opportunity to engage with other members of the Bread & Roses community on a deeper level. “The Giving Project’s goals represent what’s dearest to me: using an anti-racist, class-conscious lens to support social justice movements. We all had to address our own racism and classism, it was done in a very thoughtful and intentional way and included some uncomfortable conversations. I strongly believe that uncomfortable conversations are the root of all growth and learning. Being in the Giving Project helped me better understand and work on my own prejudices.”
Through the Giving Project, Erika was able to see Bread & Roses’ theory of “change, not charity” in action. “There’s a wide range of grassroots organizations that Bread & Roses supports and each one of them is amazing! When we interviewed groups seeking grants, they all said that Bread & Roses allowed them to do what they believed in and that they didn’t feel like they had to change any goals or objectives. Throughout the grant-making process, it was made clear that the people in the community know best about what the community needs, and they should make the decisions, not us.”
“I got a chance to meet unbelievably remarkable people who are doing revolutionary work. I left the project feeling so hopeful about the future. That was important to me, especially during this time of despair.”