New Suns Community Center

Welcome to the New Suns Community Center: A Sanctuary for BIPOC and Community Connections in Rural Vermont

In the heart of North Thetford, Vermont, the newly established New Suns Community Center is revitalizing an historic church to serve as a much-needed hub for BIPOC community connections and resilience. In a state recently designated as a "climate haven" for its potential to shelter populations displaced by climate change, the New Suns Community Center aims to address the growing need for inclusive spaces in a region that is rural and often isolating for people of color.

A Safe, Welcoming Space for BIPOC Communities

Vermont, despite its beauty and promise as a climate refuge, remains a predominantly white, rural state, where people of color often struggle to find safe and welcoming spaces. New Suns Community Center, led by NEFOC LT Reparations Program Co-director Kenya Lazuli, is designed to be a sanctuary for BIPOC communities. Unlike many traditional institutions, which may not always feel inclusive, this space was created with the explicit goal of providing a home for BIPOC individuals to gather, connect, and grow together.

"The whole point of this place is to be a welcoming space for communities to gather," Lazuli explains. The center offers a space where people of color can foster community-driven connections and food sovereignty, addressing a critical need in a region where such opportunities are scarce.

Reimagining a Historic Church for the Community

The building itself is more than just a space — it’s a resource-rich center ready to support a variety of initiatives. With a large hall, a stage, a separate sanctuary space with seating for 200, two kitchens, and several meeting rooms, it offers everything from a tool lending library and a community library focused on themes of liberation, to a future commercial-grade kitchen for local food entrepreneurs and a community ceramics studio. The space is already outfitted with all the necessary amenities to support community gatherings, workshops, and events.

A Response to Isolation and Injustice

The creation of New Suns Community Center is also a response to the broader challenges faced by BIPOC communities in Vermont and beyond. Food sovereignty and land access are central to the project’s mission, which is part of the larger Every Town Project — a vision to not only secure permanent land access for people of color in every town in Vermont but to ensure they are supported by the Neighbors Network a state-wide mutual aid network of community members committed to anti-racism and anti-oppression. In a state where the impacts of systemic racism persist, this initiative is a step toward reparations and the long-term goal of repairing historical harms to Black, Indigenous, and other people of color.

This mission becomes even more poignant in the wake of the 2022 Tops Massacre in Buffalo, which exposed the fragility of BIPOC food systems in underserved areas. Vermont’s rural isolation makes community-driven food networks crucial for resilience, and New Suns is dedicated to building that network.

A Center for Climate Resilience and Community Healing

As a climate haven, Vermont is preparing for the influx of climate migrants seeking refuge. The New Suns Community Center is positioned to meet this moment, serving as a model for climate resilience and community healing. With regenerative projects like bioremediation, sustainable agriculture, and food sovereignty at its core, the center ensures that the future of this rural region is one rooted in equity and environmental stewardship.

For the congregation that continues their weekly Sunday worship in this historic building, this transformation represents a new chapter — one that honors their legacy of community care while extending its reach to welcome all.

Join Us in Building a Future of Connection and Justice

The New Suns Community Center is in its early stages, but its vision is clear: to create an inclusive, thriving space for BIPOC and all marginalized community members who seek connection, growth, and healing in rural Vermont. As Vermont continues to evolve as a climate refuge, New Suns will stand as a beacon of justice, equity, and resilience — ensuring that the future includes everyone.

Whether you’re looking for a place to host an event, contribute to food sovereignty efforts, or simply be part of a community that is driven by inclusion and respect, the New Suns Community Center is here for you.

Upcoming Events and How to Get Involved

We’re just getting started! Join us for our tool drive, movie nights, seasonal festivals, ceramics classes and community dinners or explore opportunities to volunteer and support the development of the New Suns Community Center. Together, we can build a future of connection, justice, and resilience for everyone.