“Empathy and Action” is a podcast by Rural & Migrant Ministry as part of our Journey of Empathy Caravan to Save New York’s Rural Economy. In this podcast series we will hear stories from the past and present that hold up the resilience, struggles,
and positive impact of rural communities and immigrants in New York State. The podcast is hosted by Dr. Jennifer Rogers-Brown and features interviews, music, and inspirational stories. View the full episode list here.
Episode 3: In this episode, we focus on the role of the arts in our rural communities, including the importance of immigrants within the arts, and the way art can be used to build bridges, express ourselves, and act as a universal language. I travel to RMM’s center on Long Island, Amandla, to drop in on our summer day program and I speak to Chris Ghiraldi, a professional artist from East End Arts who volunteered with the youth. Julia Stewart-Biddle speaks about CAMPS, a free art program offered to migrant farmworkers and their families in WNY. Musical contributions include “A Cold Cup of Water,” performed by Emma’s Revolution and “Gracias a la Vida” by Andres Chamorro. Andres also reflects on the role of art in RMM’s Youth Arts Group.
Audio about CAMPS taken from Empowering Voices Through Art.
With permission from Rochester Area Community Foundation.