30 Hour Famine Reflection by Edwin Rodriguez

15 May

I participated in the 30 Hour Famine on the weekend of April 27-28th. World Vision’s 30 Hour Famine is an event that is nationwide with the purpose of solving the problem of hunger. The event is held twice a year, and you can sign up at 30hourfamine.org but of course, you don’t need to sign up for the dates and you can participate by yourself.

The 30 Hour Famine is an event where participants must fast for 30 hours. The participant cannot eat anything for an entire 24-hour day, plus an additional 6 hours. They are allowed to drink something, but as for food, the participant can’t eat at all. It seems like a daunting task to those of us who eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. I can clarify and say that is definitely a difficult task. It’s harder than one would think.

In my experience throughout the day, I saw myself constantly being teased by the food around me, knowing that I wasn’t supposed to eat. For example, there are countless advertisements on the internet, in front of buildings or anywhere else, about fast food. I was noticing these ads more and more as I went on with the fast. I know how bad fast food is, but being so hungry, I just wanted to eat. In your everyday life, it’s simple to just see food that looks good to you, and in the end you just grab it, eat it, and continue your day. We don’t think too much about it. But everything changes once your stomach is in pain. You eat faster, you care less about what it is you’re actually eating, and you don’t care about the cost.

The cost of the food is probably the most important aspect of starvation, I think. Starvation occurs because of a lack of resources. In this country, money is the resource one lacks, causing starvation. Sadly the food industry has now hit the highest prices for food in history. So anyone can be hungry, not just the people in 2nd or 3rd world countries. As World Vision put it: “It’s someone’s daughter, sister, brother…” This is an epidemic and from participating I can see how large it actually is. The fact is a child dies from hunger-related causes every 8 to 12 seconds. During the 30 hours, as I sat there with stomach pains, I realized what it was like to take a walk in the shoes of someone less fortunate than I am. I will definitely be participating in the 30 Hour Famine again next year, in order to show my support to those millions of people who fight to survive every day.

 

30 Hour Famine Reflection by E. K. Rodriguez

14 May

On the weekend of April 27-28th, I participated in the 30 Hour Famine. World Vision’s 30 Hour Famine is an event that is nationwide with the purpose of solving the problem of hunger. The event is held twice a year, and you can sign up at 30hourfamine.org but of course, you don’t need to sign up for the dates and you can participate by yourself.

The 30 Hour Famine is an event where participants must fast for 30 hours. The participant cannot eat anything for an entire day, plus an additional 6 hours. They are allowed to drink something, but as for food, the participant can’t eat at all. It seems like a daunting task to those of us who eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. I can clarify and say that is definitely a difficult task. It’s harder than one would think it actually is.

In my experience throughout the day, I saw myself constantly being teased by the food around me, knowing that I wasn’t supposed to eat. For example, there are countless advertisements on the internet, in front of buildings or anywhere else, about fast food. I was noticing these ads more and more as I went on with the fast. I know how bad fast food is, but being so hungry, I just wanted to eat. In your everyday life, it’s simple to just see food that looks good to you, and in the end you just grab it, eat it, and continue your day. We don’t think too much about it. But everything changes once your stomach is in pain. You eat faster, you care less about what it is you’re actually eating, and you don’t care about the cost.

The cost of the food is probably the most important aspect of starvation, I think. Because you can’t afford certain food, starvation occurs. Sadly the food industry has now hit the highest prices for food in history. So anyone can be hungry, not just the people in 2nd or 3rd world countries. As World Vision put it: “It’s someone’s daughter, sister, brother…” This is an epidemic and from participating I can see how large it actually is. The fact is a child dies from hunger-related causes every 8 to 12 seconds. During the 30 hours, as I sat there with stomach pains, I realized what it was like to take a walk in the shoes of someone less fortunate than I am. I will definitely be participating in the 30 Hour Famine again next year, in order to show my support to those millions of people who fight to survive every year. 

Megan Landry-Stronger

24 Apr

We here at the office were contacted by a 15-year-old girl who writes her own original songs, named Megan Landry. Megan sent us a very well-done and inspiring song she wrote herself. She is absolutely inspirational and we are glad to be in-touch with such an incredible person! We asked Megan to tell us a little about her opinion on bullying as well as something about herself:

“My bully story is simple. I was the target of mean girl stuff in grade 8 and part of grade 9. It’s an awful feeling not knowing when they will make fun of you and exclude you and give you dirty looks. They used to be my friends. Everybody gets bullied though at some point, it’s a power thing. If you look scared or show it bothers you … your done! I learned that one quickly. And that’s what inspired me to write this song. They will never tear me down. I will only get stronger. I won’t say it doesn’t hurt but I wasn’t going to be anyones victim. I hope my song will give other kids the power “to look right over their heads”. Because in the end bullying is really about power. Why give anyone that satisfaction over you! I didn’t, and I won’t and I hope you don’t either.

Music helps me get through a lot of things, so I write songs. I consider myself an artist as much as I am a musician because I do a lot of other type of artwork. Songwriting and composing music though is what I love the most. I’ve been playing piano since I was four and writing music since I was eleven. I also play some guitar and drums. I’ve won a few songwriting competitions, and I’ve established a fairly good following on YouTube. I’m starting to love the performing side of my music and really enjoy making my own videos.”

Go watch/like her original and talented YouTube videos and support her!

“I’m for truth”

12 Apr

Quote for Daily Reflection

“I’m for truth, no matter who tells it. I’m for justice, no matter who it is for or against. I’m a human being, first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.” ~  Malcolm X

This Malcolm X quote really challenged my previous thoughts which consisted of the fact that there always seems to be an “absolute right” and an “absolute wrong.” After thinking more deeply what about this quote, I can see that this is not the case.  People can see things differently. We are raised in different environments and with different experiences. To achieve truth and justice, we need to ask ourselves what will create a brighter future for all. The goal of youth should be to discuss their thoughts and ideas with each other, no matter how different. After being involved with Anytown for a few years, I discovered that no two people are the same and there will always be different opinions. However, at Camp, even though everyone was different, we were still able to come to conclusions that benefitted the entire group.

Differences are what makes every person unique and what makes them who they are. Everyone should be accepting of these things and come to a conclusion that can benefit everyone. We are here to make the world better for all of us, rather than some of us. I think that the best thing that youth can do is agree to disagree. What we need to do is accept each other for who we are, and when that happens we can benefit humanity as a whole, as Malcolm X said.

By Edwin K. Rodriquez

A Litany for Survival

10 Apr

Rosie A. and I are here in the office thinking about youth empowered social justice movements. Who will speak out for the oppressed and marginalized? Will you?

We share this poem by Audre Lorde as an inspiring guide for our work together.

A LITANY FOR SURVIVAL

For those of us who live at the shoreline
standing upon the constant edges of decision
crucial and alone
for those of us who cannot indulge
the passing dreams of choice
who love in doorways coming and going
in the hours between dawns
looking inward and outward
at once before and after
seeking a now that can breed
futures
like bread in our children’s mouths
so their dreams will not reflect
the death of ours:

For those of us
who were imprinted with fear
like a faint line in the center of our foreheads
learning to be afraid with our mother’s milk
for by this weapon
this illusion of some safety to be found
the heavy-footed hoped to silence us
For all of us
this instant and this triumph
We were never meant to survive.

And when the sun rises we are afraid
it might not remain
when the sun sets we are afraid
it might not rise in the morning
when our stomachs are full we are afraid
of indigestion
when our stomachs are empty we are afraid
we may never eat again
when we are loved we are afraid
love will vanish
when we are alone we are afraid
love will never return
and when we speak we are afraid
our words will not be heard
nor welcomed
but when we are silent
we are still afraid

So it is better to speak
remembering
we were never meant to survive

- Audre Lorde, The Black Unicorn

NCCJ announces Caleb Wilkie of Westfield as the 2012 Western Massachusetts Youth Human Relations Award Winner

10 Mar

The National Conference for Community and Justice is proud to announce Caleb Wilkie of Westfield High School as the recipient of NCCJ’s 2012 Western Massachusetts Youth Human Relations Award.  Caleb is 16, a junior at Westfield High School, and has earned this award for his courage in action as well as his relentless leadership in making his school a safe place for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) youth through education and advocacy.

Caleb attended NCCJ’s premier social justice program, ANYTOWN, after finishing 8th grade.  Upon entering 9th grade at Westfield High, he immediately approached his guidance counselor, Alison Kelly, to talk about what he can do to bring what he learned at ANYTOWN back to his school.  He had just come out as gay to his family and friends (read his poignant story here), and immediately felt the prejudices of many around him.  He realized that the only way these prejudices can be changed is through education.  He led by example and allowed himself to be open about his experience and his struggle with coming out.  He bravely faced name-calling with kindness by allowing others to ask him questions, and seeing every act of cruelty as an opportunity to make someone an ally.

He joined the Gay Straight Alliance and recently became the President.  He organized a “teach-in” for Westfield High School faculty to learn more about the LGBT community and to teach them how to be effective allies.  He talked with the history department to include LGBT Rights Movements as part of the history curriculum.  He played an integral role in organizing Westfield’s first annual “A Mile in Your Shoes: A Walk for Change” that raised over $3,000 for the Kinship Fund. He convinced his school administration to bring NCCJ’s BRIDGES program to Westfield High three years in a row and as a result gained 75 peer allies committed to fighting prejudice at the school. Caleb also continues to be involved in various NCCJ programs.  He has been a counselor at the ANYTOWN program, was a speaker at The YES! Campaign Conference where he bravely shared his experience of being bullied in front of 400 youth, and has co-facilitated various workshops.

Caleb is truly a rock star and continues to inspire his peers and us with his leadership.  He embodies Mahatma Gandhi’s teaching of “be the change you wish to see in the world.”  We are so proud of his accomplishments and are excited to celebrate him at the 2012 NCCJ Human Relations Awards Banquet on June 12th at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.

To celebrate Caleb at the 2012 Human Relations Award Banquet contact GiGi Paolantonio at 860-683-1039 ext. 105 or gpaolantonio@nccj.org.

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Camp ANYTOWN – Social Justice Experience for Youth – Now Accepting Applications

22 Feb

ANYTOWN Banner!Want the experience of a lifetime?  Want to learn how to change the world?  Think you’re a leader? Or maybe you want to be a leader.  Want to meet other fantastic youth from the Northeast who give a spit about their communities?  Want a place where you can kick-back and just be YOURSELF?

Apply to be a delegate at 2012 ANYTOWN.  Program is open to all between the ages of 15-18.  Financial aid is available to ALL who apply and are accepted.

Click here for August ANYTOWN Brochure 2012

Click here for August ANYTOWN Delegate Application 2012

Want to be a counselor at ANYTOWN cause you finally figured out what can make a hippopotamus smile?  Counselors must have attended ANYTOWN previously.  Adults (teachers, school counselors, college students, youth workers, etc.) who would like to serve as advisors do not need to have attended ANYTOWN previously.

Click here for August ANYTOWN STAFF Application

Don’t take our word for it, see what Charlie Hoberman had to say about ANYTOWN below.  Or just google ANYTOWN on youtube and see what pops up!

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My ANYTOWN Experience

Charlie Hoberman May 2010 ANYTOWN

Charles Hoberman, Hall High School

I applied to ANYTOWN to learn a little about prejudice and diversity.  I’ve always considered myself a socially aware person, especially in regards to discrimination, so I figured I’d fit in at a camp looking for “youth who are interested in exploring their own social identities and biases.”   I ended up learning a whole lot more than a “little.”  ANYTOWN not only opened my eyes in so many ways that I never expected, but it inspired me to actually do something with my newfound knowledge.

Prior to camp, I saw segregation occurring around me daily.  I observed black kids sitting together at lunch and white kids hanging out with each other in hallways, but never really did much about it.  I tried to surround myself with different types of people, and still do today, but besides that I never really tried to make a change.  In fact, today I would classify myself more as “part of the problem,” then the “solution.”  I thought it was cool to call things “retarded” and even laughed when my friends said some pretty racist things.  ANYTOWN completely changed that aspect of me.  On top of that, I was a fairly quiet kid, who spoke only when spoken to and never really made much of a stir.  I would hardly call myself a “leader,” and I highly doubt anyone else would either.  ANYTOWN changed that too.

So what makes ANYTOWN so life changing?  I’m still not quite sure.  Kelly and Muneer are amazing, of course, and so are all the rest of the staff and advisors.  But what really made ANYTOWN for me, I believe, were my fellow delegates.  I’m not sure how they did it, but the group that Kelly and Muneer managed to round up was simply amazing.  Everyone was so open to new ideas and different people, and if they weren’t at the beginning of camp they certainly were by the end.  I never thought a camp with such a strong goal and message to send would be such a blast, but it really was.

Looking through the post evaluation forms from the May camp which I attended, I’d say something like ninety-eight percent of respondents marked that they would like to attend a similar program again. Some mentioned that ANYTOWN “opened my mind to the rest of the world’s cultures and ideas/beliefs,” while others said they “made lifelong friends in 5 days.”  When asked what they would do to improve the camp, the most common responses were to make it longer and to allow for more time to sleep, while one eager delegate suggested that he needed to be added to the staff.  I know this is supposed to be a personal reflection on my experience, but one of the most crucial things to me was that everyone there sincerely enjoyed camp.  That’s why such a great community was formed in which such growth could be fostered, prejudices crushed, fun could be had and friendships could be formed.

*This essay was written by Charlie in 2007. Since then Charlie has graduated from New York University and continues to support the ANYTOWN community as well as be involved in various social justice activities.

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FRESH off the PRESS – YES! Campaign Conference Report 2011

20 Feb

The YES! Campaign Conference Report 2011

After months of hard work, we finally have it!  We spent weeks organizing all of the ideas YES! participants gave us about creating safe and inclusive schools.  Then spent days upon days working with a super cool graphic designer from New York to figure out how best to represent the contagious energy that was everywhere on October 23, 2011! We had a day long party to ask our YES! Leaders what they would like to see in the report – this was really just an excuse to hang out.  We did some work though, really!  Then, we finally put it all together ensuring that the whole report reflected the energy, passion, conversation, and learnings we all had that day.

As you read through the report, be sure to read all the post-its, the quotes, see the pictures, and start to think about what you can take away from it.  We think the report has a ton of useful information for youth, teachers, youth-workers, and school administrators.  This document is just the preview of what’s to come.  Later this year, NCCJ will be using the ideas that we summarized in this report to create an actual curriculum of activities and strategies that youth and adults can use to create safe and inclusive environments in their schools.  Until then, enjoy the report and contact us for more information about anything.

Happy Readings!

Click –> YES! Conference Report 2011

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NCCJ Announces Sophia Dzialo as the 2012 Youth Human Relations Award Winner!

17 Feb

Sophia Dzialo, 2012 NCCJ Youth Human Relations Award Winner

NCCJ is super excited to announce the 2012 Youth Human Relations Award Winner: Sophia Dzialo.  Each year NCCJ celebrates one youth leader from Connecticut and one from Massachusetts who has shown significant achievement in creating communities free of bias and bigotry.  Sophia is 17 years old, a senior at Hall High School, has shown determination, resilience, responsibility, and dedication towards carrying the mission of NCCJ into her community ever since her first experience at Camp ANYTOWN in 2009.  She is a quiet, yet a powerful leader; eagerly committing herself to causes she cares about and wants her community to care about also.  A vegan because of her love for animals, a strong supporter of women’s rights, and an ally for the rights of other oppressed groups most don’t think about, Sophia is a compassionate young leader who will surely make waves of change in the future.

As one of the key leaders of Hall High School’s ACTION Club, Sophia has dedicated herself to various projects, often taking on multiple responsibilities to ensure every projects success.  She volunteers for every opportunity her school has that speaks to community building, prejudice reduction, increasing awareness about an issue, and bringing people together in common causes.

Over the last three years, Sophia has been a counselor at ANYTOWN four times, co-facilitated workshops on gender, racism, and dating violence to groups of women at various middle and high schools across Hartford, worked with an organization to fight for the rights and respect for Native Americans, served as a youth leader for The YES! Campaign, fought to get fair trade products sold in her school, ran awareness campaigns to the plight of political prisoners and child soldiers through petitions, organized a school-wide pep rally with limited resources, and spearheaded her schools involvement in the Day of Silence. Through all of her extracurricular activities, Sophia remains strong academically and continues to inspire others by being a role model for the values she believes in.

NCCJ: What is your motivation to be so involved in change at your school? Why do you care about the projects you’ve invested so much time and energy in?

Sophia: I think that it is hard to say there is one motivation to get involved, I think that it definitely has been rooted to my experience at ANYTOWN. Knowing that it is possible to create such a safe environment has certainly pushed me to bring that experience into my community. Also, having such a supportive group of friends who I have worked with on everything certainly motivates you to continue. I can’t describe how I care, other than I just can’t imagine not caring about the people who are affected by the issues that I have dealt with. When you hear about the experiences that people go through, for example on reservations, it’s hard not to care. I would never want to be in their situation, and I hope that if the situations were reversed someone would care about me too.

NCCJ: One of the projects you worked was educating your school community about Native American Reservations. Why was this issue important to you?

Sophia: It started off with a comment made in one of our school newspapers about a similar relocation between super fans moving on a stadium and Native American’s being moved to Reservations. I wasn’t involved or even aware of the circumstances of reservations but I had known that the comparison wasn’t fair. In response, I worked with others to really research Reservations and the conditions there. I never would have imagined the horrific information that we learned. After hearing about the violence, abuse and neglect that have been demonstrated on the Reservations it is hard to forget about it. It has been shown that they are almost a forgotten race, and we couldn’t let that continue. It’s important me to pay attention to an issue that isn’t being talked about.

NCCJ: Sounds like empathy is often a first step to change. Would you say that’s correct?

Sophia: I can only speak for myself; however I think that for most others as well, empathy is the first step. It’s hard to make a change for something that you don’t fully understand or just can’t connect with. However, when I learn about a cause and then try to understand beyond just the facts I feel like I will be more motivated and dedicated to making that change.

NCCJ: You’re very right. What advice would you give to other young leaders who want to make change?

Sophia: I think that is a difficult question to answer. I would definitely say that committing yourself to an issue that is important to yourself or really research what you want to take a stand for. If you are working to change something that you can’t fully connect with, and then you aren’t going to enjoy making a change. Also, working with others that care about the issue is the most important thing. You can’t always do everything, which is the most important thing. Being able to rely on others really helps.

Join us in congratulating Sophia and celebrate her successes at the 2012 NCCJ Human Relations Award Banquet on April 26, 2012.

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Want to work for NCCJ? We are hiring a Youth Programs Specialist & Youth Programs Intern!.

9 Jan

Want to work for a kick-ass youth organization that runs awesome programs like ANYTOWN, BRIDGES, Youth Action Coalition, and The YES! Campaign?  We are hiring a youth programs specialist as well as a Youth Programs Intern to join our team.  In addition to random bouts of singing, and lots of sweet treats, you’ll get to help organize and run various youth programs of NCCJ.  Read below for more information.

Youth Program Specialist

The National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ) is a human relations organization dedicated to fighting bias, bigotry and racism.  NCCJ promotes understanding and respect among all races, religions and cultures through education, advocacy and conflict resolution.  At this time we are seeking a part-time, 25 hours/week, Youth Program Specialist responsible for developing an anti-bias based curricula, training youth and adults in social justice issues, and working with the Youth Program Director in delivering NCCJ’s  youth programs.  The ability to be a self-motivated, a team player, with strong program development and facilitation skills is vital for this position.  A strong understanding of social justice issues, comfort with social media and ability to relate well with adolescents is a must.  Requirements: Experience working with youth, developing experiential curriculum, Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities Include:

  • Develop anti-bias based curricula for “YES!” campaign targeted for high school students towards creating a positive and inclusive school environment
  • Work with “YES!” school advisors to assist them in empowering young people in the creation of inclusive and welcoming school communities
  • Assist in the promotion and facilitation of our middle and high school program “Bridges”
  • Assist in the promotion, production, organizing and facilitation of our high school program “Anytown” which includes a week-long residential experience
  • Assist with the advising of our youth group YAC (Youth Action Coalition)
  • Write program updates and some articles for board meetings, website and publications
  • Assist with keeping NCCJ youth involved and engaged with NCCJ organization and social justice work via social media e.g. Twitter, Facebook, etc.
  • Other duties as assigned

Please mail or email resume and cover letter to:

Dr. Andrea C. Kandel, Ed.D., 1095 Day Hill Rd.; Suite 100, Windsor, CT. 06095 or akandel@nccj.org

NCCJ is an equal opportunity employer.

Sometimes we dance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Youth Programs Intern

The NCCJ seeks a part-time (10-12 hours) youth intern to assist in running of all NCCJ’s youth programs: ANYTOWN, BRIDGES, and Youth Action Coalition.  The intern will work with the Director of Youth Programs to organize and run various Youth Action Coalition events throughout the year.  This is a flexible position ideal for high school or college students.

Responsibilities Include:

- Recruiting ANYTOWN Alumni to the Youth Action Coalition.
- Building relationships with each ANYTOWN group at area schools to create a coalition of young leaders across Connecticut and Western Massachusetts to promote social activism in our communities.
- Partner with schools or community organizations to provide coalition members opportunities to create change.
- Work with individual schools to help them plan Mix it Up Day, Day of Silence, ACTION week, etc.
- Assist in ANYTOWN preparations.
- Organize the Annual ANYTOWN Reunion.
- Monitor and regularly update NCCJ related activities for our Facebook and Twitter accounts.
- Assist in various office tasks: filing, copying, data-entry, mailings, etc.

The intern will also have plenty of opportunities to attend NCCJ sponsored events, work with the Youth Programs Director to develop new programming and workshops, co-facilitate workshops/trainings, and take advantage of a pile full of snacks that are constantly available at the office.

Qualifications:
• Passion for and understanding of social justice.
• Interest in youth organizing (experience is preferred).
• Strong work ethic, positive attitude and the ability to play and have fun.
• Commitment to and belief in youth power and youth liberation.
• Independent worker, initiative-taker, good problem-solver and detailed oriented.
• Ability to work in a team setting and provide constructive feedback as well as take direction.
• Ability to use (or learn to use) various programs such as Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.
• Familiar with social networking sites such as Facebook/Twitter/Wordpress/YouTube.
• Willingness to work some evenings and weekends.
• Must have transportation to and from our Windsor, CT office or be comfortable taking city bus to and from the office. (The city bus comes right in front of our office building.)

To Apply:

Please answer the following questions on a cover letter and email it along with your resume to Muneer Panjwaniat  mpanjwani@nccj.org. One sentence answers usually do not provide enough information about you, so write as much as you want, making sure that you’re clearly answering the questions to the best of your ability.

1. Why do you think you will make a good Youth Programs Intern?
2. Why do you think activism is important?
3. What skills and experience do you bring to this position? How will you use this experience to better YAC and its members?
4. What are some of YOUR ideas that NCCJ Youth Programs (or Youth Action Coalition) could take on for this academic year? How will you carry these ideas out?
5. Please discuss your past involvement with NCCJ.
6. What are some of your strengths and weaknesses?
7. You will need to be at the NCCJ office at least twice a week, do you have transportation to and from the office?

NCCJ does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, sex, color, disability, national origin, religion, creed, age, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship or authorized alien status or veteran status.

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