Circles of Change 8th Annual Awards Breakfast

A morning to celebrate those who are working to create change and inspire hope.

Building Bridges works to equip young people with the communication and leadership skills necessary to address the root causes of hatred, discrimination, and violent conflict. Through Building Bridges programs, young people meet face to face with those they’ve been taught to fear. Together they develop personal connections based on empathy and respect and find the confidence to transform divisive attitudes in their communities.

Friday morning’s 8th Annual Awards Breakfast started out with the first morning snow of the season. Through the Seawell Ballroom windows the majestic Rocky Mountains and Denver were a sparkling sight to see and a pleasant back drop for a warm, fresh breakfast. The room was filled with hundreds of supporters. A highlight of the event was hearing directly from several current participants, high school students from diverse backgrounds and from throughout Colorado.

The 2013 Honorees were two deserving women who have devoted hours and years of their life to working for positive social change. Brie Loskota,  director of the Center for Religion & Civic Culture at the University of Southern California and Tamra Ryan, CEO of Denver’s Women’s Bean Project. Building Bridges also recognized the Denver-based non-profit Minor Disturbance as recipient of the new Shift Award for their work empowering youth through poetry and performance.

The Circle of Change event honors individuals who make a positive difference in the world. The Building Bridges organization hopes to pass this belief onto participants and teach that the tireless acts of individuals are what create a more just and inclusive society worldwide.

For more information about the work of Building Bridges and how you can be a part of it go to www.BuildingBridgesShift.org.

Diversity does not have to be the source of conflict