Cultivating culturally rooted solutions
“Bantaba” is a Mandinka word meaning a gathering place for dialogue and collective empowerment. We aim to provide a culturally sensitive, trauma-informed space for African immigrants to have intergenerational discussions and peer-support sessions around issues such as gender equity, healthy masculinity, violence prevention, stigma, domestic violence, and other forms of violence. Through our Bantaba Support Circles, we are creating safe spaces for dialogue and healing, leveraging local resources to provide holistic support.
Bantaba Support Circles
Our Objective
Providing a safe space for harnessing community-led and culturally grounded approaches to support wellness and resilience
Programs
Community Volunteer Training
We are fostering peer leadership and expanding trauma-informed care through a culturally grounded, community-driven lens. Our volunteer training sessions are designed to equips community leaders and members with the knowledge, confidence, and connection to resources needed to lead outreach on violence prevention and support families impacted by violence.
What to expect during the training
- Conversations on root causes of violence, harmful gender norms and emotional suppression
- Information on local efforts and resources to address domestic and sexual violence
- Toolkit to provide culturally grounded peer and trauma-informed support
Bantaba Women Support Program
This program offer a unique focus on the wellbeing of women in our community by offering safe spaces for them to come together, share their experiences, receive peer support, access resources and wraparound care.
What to expect:
- Women-led conversations
- Wraparound support
- Access to resources
- Language assistance
Past Initiatives
SAFE-CARE Outreach Program
SAFE-CARE outreach program works to reduce incidents of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse through culturally appropriate sensitivity training, workshops, and outreach events. In partnership with community-based service providers, we assist immigrant and refugee families to identify supportive services and resources.
Community Leaders Workshop
We recognize the influential role faith, ethnic leaders, elders and community organizers play in shaping values and behaviors in our community. Their participation and insights in this workshop were helpful in deepening the conversation on domestic violence, an issue that discreetly impacts significantly immigrants in our community. The knowledge gained from the workshop will undoubtedly guide us in developing strategies to raise awareness and provide appropriate support services to address issues of domestic violence in our community.
Partners
With support from:
Northside Community Dinner
We ere excited to dine together with our neighbors, friends and families at the northside. We had resource tables with materials from local community organizations.
Partners & Sponsors
- PHMDC Violence Prevention Coalition (A big thanks to Veronica Figueroa and Melinda Knuth!)
- Madison Community Policing Foundation
- Vera Court Neighborhood Center
We look forward to hearing from you.