Dearest Community,
I’m thrilled to share something we’ve been building for over a year: Mission Belonging has created a new digital home to help us better understand our community, evaluate our programs, and—most importantly—authentically connect. No ads, no paid content, no bots. Just us.
Social networks could bring us closer, but too often they leave us feeling more isolated. The endless noise of rage-bait, AI profiles, and misinformation makes it hard to find one another. Mission Belonging hopes to change that—to be a space for real conversation about art, literature, creativity, and wonder. A space for care and connection, wherever we are, whatever our abilities or circumstances.
When you create your Mission Belonging Circle profile, you’ll have access to our public spaces. After you attend at least one program, you’ll be able to join private forums to share writing and art and connect directly with others. You’ll also receive a short survey when you sign up, inviting you to create an anonymous ID. This helps us understand the impact of our programs and keeps future surveys shorter.
Please take a few moments to complete these surveys after each program. As a nonprofit, your participation helps our funders see the value of this work—and their support keeps most of our programs free for everyone.
We cannot wait to continue the conversation with you.
All of our online program registration will be moving to the new platform the week of November 10th. Please create your profile before then!
With admiration and respect,
Seema Reza
CEO, Mission Belonging
*This would not be possible without our wonderful Marketing and Communications Manager, Rob Haney, and their meticulous attention to detail, commitment to the user experience, and willingness to master new confusing software. If you see them around, give them some love!
Seema Reza is a poet and essayist and the author of two books: A Constellation of Half-Lives and When the World Breaks Open. She holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in Writing and Community Building from Goddard College. In 2010 Seema began working with service members, veterans, and their families at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and has since developed a unique multi-hospital arts program that encourages the use of the arts as a tool for narration, self-care and socialization. In 2015, the USO of Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore awarded Seema the Col John Gioia Patriot Award for her work with service members in military hospitals. Seema is a 2019 George W. Bush Institute Stand-To Veteran Leadership Scholar.
