The Sharon Pluralism Network was founded in 2007 with a grant from the Third Sector New England (TSNE) Capacity Building Fund and additional funding from the Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation.  Interfaith Action is lead partner in this collaborative community-wide effort that includes the Sharon Clergy Association; Sharon Council on Aging; Sharon Public Library; Sharon Public Schools; Sharon Community Youth Coalition; the Sharon Recreation Department; and, the Community Center Planning board. 

Mission
The mission of the Sharon Pluralism Network is to create a positive and sustainable culture of pluralism in the town of Sharon, Massachusetts.

Working Definition of Pluralism
A state of society in which members of diverse groups maintain autonomous participation in and development of their own culture and interests within the confines of a common civilization, and maintain peaceful and cooperative relations within and between groups.

Vision
The Sharon Pluralism Network envisions a community where people from diverse groups live together in peace and mutual respect; feel safe and valued; retain their group identity while also being part of a larger community; learn about, interact with, and stand up for each other; and work collaboratively for the common good.

Strategy
The Sharon Pluralism Network members seek to fulfill their mission by encouraging the town infrastructure to work together to build a coalition of individuals and institutions in order to:

1. Raise awareness of the value of pluralism, and the strengths and challenges it presents;
2. Support educational programs that further understanding about racial, ethnic, national origin, cultural and religious groups, reduce stereotyping, demystify differences in beliefs, history, and practice, increase empathy between people, and showcase the richness of our diverse cultures;
3. Foster genuine encounter, dialogue, and relationship-building among individuals and groups;
4. Create a sustainable framework for preventing and addressing bias incidents; and
5. Create an inheritance, building a new cycle of leadership to sustain the mission over time.