Building Bridges: Fostering Connections in Communities

"Let's have a conversation," said then County Board candidate Vivek Patil. It was more than a campaign slogan. He's made it a central part of his life and work. Through an effort they've called Building Bridges, Vivek and others have set out to listen -- really listen -- to their neighbors and people outside their "bubbles" in hopes of building a stronger community and Commonwealth. "Curiosity makes us better people," says he. "It drives us to learn, to evolve our positions, to understand the world and ... really get a sense of empathy for another human's experience.”