Build Connected, Resilient Communities Across New York

Loneliness, mental health struggles, and disconnection are rising—yet our state lacks a vision for bringing people of all ages together in meaningful, non-coercive ways. We call on you to create a new framework for secular, science-based, intergenerational community rooted in nature, mutual aid, and shared inquiry. This is not about ideology—it’s about giving New Yorkers the tools to heal, learn, and support one another. We demand you take these concrete steps: 1. Fund secular community hubs – Expand the NY BRICKS program to support multi‑age spaces for philosophy cafés, mindfulness practice, and cooperative childcare. 2. Protect cooperative housing – Boost Community Land Trusts and pass a “Right to Establish” law so secular ecovillages and mutual‑aid networks can thrive without zoning barriers. 3. Launch intergenerational nature programs – Create state‑funded “Nature & Nurture” pilot projects that unite youth and seniors in community gardens, science education, and land stewardship. 4. Support evidence‑based healing – Fund trauma‑informed, secular mental health first aid and mindfulness‑based stress reduction in community centers across the state. We reject domination and isolation. We choose curiosity, solidarity, and mindfulness.