Lynn’s Justice Born has a vision: To bridge gaps between the homeless and the next step in their lives through music and social activism.
The founder of the artistic collective group in Lynn, Wreck Shop Movement, will host the two-day “Bridgin Gaps” music festival at Salem Willows this weekend.
Hundreds of people are expected to gather for more than 35 acts ranging from doo-wop to Caribbean, set to perform at the park’s amphitheater.
“I want Bridgin Gaps to become one of the things on the North Shore,” Born said. “The festival is about making people feel good.”
Born said the two-day retreat won’t be just music based, but a place where people can get informed and seek services from more than 25 community vendors.
Along with spoken word, a series of speakers, and activities for families and children, there will also be Massachusetts based artists creating a live art installation on a wall.
The idea came from the 34-year-old entrepreneur when he was homeless and saw firsthand the gap that exists for people with limited access to help.
Coming from the man with the idea, Born, along with fellow homeless volunteers, cleaned up Salem Willows park in exchange for the space from the city to hold the first Bridgin Gaps festival six years ago.
What started as what looked like a small family cookout has now grown to hundreds flocking to the event in recent years, he said.
“Events like these provide opportunities for local homeless that arise through networking,” he said. “There’s something about connecting with other people that motivates others internally.”
A soft fundraising began about five months ago, leading the organization to raise about $7,000.
Eastern Bank provided a $5,000 grant for the program costs. Pick Up Modern, the antique store located on Exchange Street, challenged the community to donate to the Bridgin Gaps festival.
She would match funds from those willing to give.
One supporter of the cause, Marjorie St. Paul, former executive director at Lynn Shelter Association, donated $500, which was was matched by the antique store owner.
“I just thought it was a great opportunity to support community projects and people who are reaching out in general,” Howard said.
The local community gathering has a vision to bring a festival of the same caliber to Lynn, said Born.
With a fundraising goal of $20,000, Born wants to raise enough money to have two festivals: one in Salem and one in Lynn within the next few months.
Bridgin Gaps has even acquired Sophia Abbasi, a grant writer for Boston Public Schools, to assist in reaching their fundraising goal.
“We want the money to stretch between two events,” he said.
Through experience, Born has seen the impact arts have on a disadvantaged community.
“We can capture people’s attention through the arts,” he said. “We are bridging the gap between arts and activism. It’s time to marry those two concepts and bring words together.”
The two-day festival will be at Salem Willows park on August 5th and 6th, from noon to 8 p.m. each day.
