New Practice Offering - Working Class Affinity Group

PC is hearing a request for AZG to offer an affinity group for working class people. What does that mean?

An affinity group is any group in an organization that gathers with an intention of mutual support. There are times that we may want to be safely connecting with people with whom we might have a history or identity in common. There is a great value in offering a space where people can share similar experiences, challenges, and ways of being.

The intention is that over time the sense of safety created in an affinity group begins to permeate outside of the affinity group. It is not so different from the way we describe returning to our own body and mind in practice. We train to be able to come back to a place of safety and stability. An affinity group is simply a matter of making sure that everyone has access to that safety in sangha.

For example, a group of us would like an affinity group of those who self-identify as Working Class. This could be based on family of origin or other influences such as access to livelihood options. We recognize that class identity is complicated and can shift over time. We welcome anyone who feels like they might benefit from being part of this group.

Other groups could be – those who have a first language other than English, those who identify as LGBTIQA+, people who have a disability of any kind, people who have a home culture that is not reflected in the dominant culture. When one group is supported and strengthened, the whole group is strengthened.

Would you like to participate in this group for Working Class people, or perhaps start a group of your own? Contact Program Coordinator Beverly to express your interest.