In this episode, guest Justin Pasquariello shares about why he puts community joy at the center of his work. Justin talks about the importance of social connection as one of the five pillars of joy, and how this framework for promoting joy is woven throughout the work of the East Boston Social Centers. He also shares about how his career, including starting Silver Line Mentoring in 2001, is informed by his personal experiences growing up.

Justin talks about the innovative approaches to service delivery and community building at the 100 year old social service organization. This includes creative ways of measuring and increasing joy among staff and program participants, and engaging the diverse cultural populations in East Boston. Justin also highlights the Every Child Shines community collaboration. He also shares about future plans that include developing a community joy ambassador program and creating design nudges to encourage community connections.

In this episode, guests Katrina Shaw and Lindsay Mason engage in a thoughtful discussion about the community-focused initiatives of Liberty Mutual. They begin by sharing personal stories that shaped their commitment to philanthropy and volunteerism.

The conversation then transitions to the mission of the Liberty Mutual Foundation, which aims to advance security and resilience for vulnerable communities. Katrina elaborates on the foundation's focus areas, including workforce development, youth homelessness, and climate change initiatives. She highlights a recent project called Impact Driven Collaborations, which funded 16 collaboratives with a total of $4.5 million to address complex social problems through collective efforts among various organizations.

Lindsay also discusses Liberty Mutual's employee engagement program, Liberty Torchbearers, which empowers employees to volunteer in their communities based on their interests. Together, they emphasize the importance of community involvement and the need for adaptable volunteer programs in a post-pandemic world, showcasing how Liberty Mutual integrates social responsibility into its corporate identity.

This Cultivating Connections podcast episode features a rich conversation with George “Chip” Greenidge, Jr., a veteran in philanthropy, education and nonprofit leadership. He shares his insights on the importance of mentoring, his passion for higher education access and promoting racial justice.

The discussion with host David Crowley begins with a reflection on their long-standing relationship, spanning over two decades, and the early days of George’s career at the Boston Foundation. George shares his thoughts on the evolution of philanthropy, emphasizing the importance of personal engagement through site visits. He highlights how these interactions foster genuine connections and demonstrate a commitment to understanding the needs of communities, contrasting this with the more transactional nature of modern philanthropic practices.

George also delves into his motivations for pursuing a career in nonprofit work. He attributes his passion to his upbringing in the Greater Boston area, where he had wonderful mentors and access to prestigious educational institutions like Harvard and MIT. These experiences not only provided him with exceptional role models but also inspired him to advocate for college access and mentorship for young people, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds. He discusses his founding of Greatest Minds, an organization designed to connect youth with mentors at various stages of their lives, reinforcing the idea that inspiration can come from peers as well as established figures.

The conversation also touches on George’s current role at the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard University. He reflects on how this position allows him to engage with global scholars and contribute to discussions around civic participation and democratic values. Throughout the episode, he emphasizes the significance of building relationships within philanthropy and the necessity of nurturing connections over time to cultivate trust and support. His insights into the changing landscape of philanthropy, coupled with his personal anecdotes, provide listeners with a profound understanding of the intersection between education, mentorship, and community engagement.