InterGen(erational) Cafés bring together members of the Encampment community for honest dialogue and shared stories, information, and resources. At our last InterGen Café, participants highlighted several areas of injustice and shared resources for coping and contributing. Of urgent concern is the injustice in immigration laws and immigrant communities. The spirit of caring community was palpable during this shared time.
What do “borders” have to do with democracy and the development of a new generation of leaders and activists? While immigrants, in particular, have much to fear in the current political climate, borders can represent not only national boundaries, but also the invisible lines between schools, communities, identities, and even ways of thinking. To have a vibrant multicultural democracy, justice must move beyond these borders.
I had a life-changing experience at the 1966 Kentucky Encampment — the first held in the deep South. Today, I pay that privilege forward by donating each year toward the sponsorship of young people whose families cannot afford the full program fee. We are committed to continuing to give young people the transformative experiences, skills and support to be the leaders we need in this harrowing time.
When I went back to my community, I thought, “If I knew everyone as deeply as I know the people at the Encampment, if everyone put that much effort into listening, then I think everyone would be much happier and more engaged.”
At our last gathering, we built a foundation of strength. Now, we move forward with purpose. We will highlight alternative media, share research on opposition tactics, and — most importantly—lean into the power of storytelling and collective hope as forces for change. “The Power of We (2.0): Sharing OUR Stories of Power”📅 March 22, 2025⏰ 2 PM PT | 3 PM MT | 4 PM CT | 5 PM ET📍
On Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, 40 EFC community members of all ages (board members, supporters, and prospective Encampers) discussed changes in the U.S. as a result of the recent election. As always, the heart of the InterGen Café is that people talk in small groups about the topics that engage them the most.