In a time of national polarization and digital isolation, a grassroots initiative in Sullivan County is providing a welcome space for neighbors to connect face-to-face and engage in meaningful conversations.
The Committee for Equity and Justice, part of SALT (Sullivan Allies Leading Together), in partnership with the Ethel B. Crawford Public Library, hosts monthly Community Conversations in Monticello. Facilitated by Judy Balaban, along with Kathy Aberman and Tracy Broyle, these gatherings aim to promote dialogue, listening, and understanding among residents of diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
“This September will mark two years of these conversations,” Balaban shared during an interview with WJFF Radio Catskill. “Bringing people together, even with opposing views, can create real human connection.”
The conversations are open to the public and structured around monthly themes. The next two sessions — July 10 and August 14 at 6 p.m. — will center on the theme of “Freedom,” exploring how the concept resonates both personally and socially.
“Freedom is such a big, relevant topic right now,” Balaban said. “We talk about how it touches us in our lives, our communities, and what it really means to each of us.”
The format is intentionally inclusive and reflective, encouraging participants to share their experiences and listen to others without judgment, Balaban said.
“We’re not debating — we’re listening,” said Balaban. “People leave the room thinking differently, sometimes even surprising themselves. They take those thoughts home, reflect, and often talk about it with others.”
Balaban noted a growing public hunger for this type of in-person connection. “People are craving it. They want to get away from the screens and actually talk to each other,” she said. “And it’s not just about agreeing — it’s about understanding where someone else is coming from.”
Past sessions have addressed a range of topics, including a recent discussion on “The First 100 Days,” which brought together individuals from across the political spectrum. “People said afterward that it gave them a new way of seeing something,” she recalled.
Balaban emphasized that these conversations also help participants understand themselves better. “When I feel myself reacting strongly to something, I pause and ask — where is this coming from? That’s something I’ve learned from doing this work.”
The next Community Conversations are free and open to the public and will take place at the Ethel B. Crawford Public Library in Monticello at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 10, and Wednesday, August 14.
Participants are encouraged to come as they are, bring an open mind, and be ready to listen and learn.
“These gatherings are about building community,” Balaban said. “The same way this station builds community — by giving people a place to share, to listen, and to be heard.”
For more information on upcoming Community Conversations, visit the Ethel B. Crawford Public Library or learn more about SALT at sullivanallies.org.
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