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Follow on Google News | NJ Lead for Diversity High-School Student Delegates Train to “Be the Change” This FallThe American Conference on Diversity 19th annual Lead for Diversity youth leadership education kickoff was a huge success!
When the group of nearly 100 Lead for Diversity staff, volunteers, and New Jersey high-school student delegates returned home after a weeklong diversity and human-relations educational retreat in late July, the American Conference on Diversity (ACOD) social-media platforms lit up with inspirational comments from tomorrow’ Our 19th annual Lead for Diversity youth leadership education kickoff, a residential program held at the Pocono Environmental Education Center in Dingmans Ferry, PA, in late July, was a huge success. College students and professional volunteers mentored 78 high-school students from 24 schools and youth organizations statewide to “be the change,” “Our goal is to help people become more accountable for their actions and behaviors— This residential program is the start of a yearlong strategic initiative for student delegates entering their sophomore, junior, and senior years. Designed to build social-awareness, leadership, conflict-resolution, and cross-cultural communication skills, the experiential learning activities in which students participate help them recognize and advocate for more inclusion within their communities. This year, delegates participated in more than 10 workshops, seven discussion groups, and numerous hands-on activities on topics from socioeconomic differences to sexual orientation to gain leadership perspective along the spectrum of diversity and inclusion. Additionally, delegates collaborate with peers, school advisors, and ACOD staff to create action plans that will be implemented during the 2013-2014 school year. The goal: to address challenges unique to their communities. Their action plans, to be delivered by participating Lead for Diversity schools and organizations throughout New Jersey beginning this fall, vary by scope and design. A few examples: ►Secaucus High School delegates plan to create a club aimed at helping students and educators become more responsive to inappropriate, biased language used in school. ►Bergen County Academies will hold multiple workshops for administrators, faculty, and staff to help them better understand social issues that impact the student body. ►Franklin High School, Freehold Township High School, and University Academy hope to reach educators, parents, and students with a series of presentations aimed at addressing stereotyping and reducing prejudice. ►Lakewood High School, Spotswood High School, and St. Benedict’ ►Marist High School delegation will conduct student workshops to address stereotypes related to economic class. Although the 2013-2014 delegates were reluctant to leave the program, they are eager to put their acquired prejudice reduction training to use in their communities: “Lead for Diversity was just absolutely mesmerizing. It opened up my mind to a lot of prejudice and taught me a lot. I really had the time of my life. It was sad at times, serious, funny, and changed my life for the better.” —Johnny DeLair, Piscataway High School Participating institutions for the Lead for Diversity 2013-2014 school year are: Absegami High School; Bayonne High School; Bergen County Academies; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Essex, Hudson & Union Counties; Cedar Creek High School; Franklin High School; Freehold Township High School; Gill St. Bernard’ Our Lead for Diversity Partners in Education include: Fidelity Investments, Investors Foundation, New Jersey Natural Gas, NJM Insurance Group, The Provident Bank Foundation, Shor Family Foundation Inc, Victoria Foundation, and Wilf Family Foundation. Formerly known as Anytown, NJ, LFD has been a cornerstone of the American Conference on Diversity Youth Leadership Institute since 1995. Since that time, over 100 of New Jersey’ How can you “be the change”? About the American Conference on Diversity The programs, services, and initiatives of the American Conference on Diversity are among the most important work focused on creating a more inclusive society. It is the unfinished business of living in a highly diverse nation: educating and empowering our next generation of leaders; enhancing our workplaces; and helping to create inclusive communities. The American Conference on Diversity, which has been serving schools, organizations, workplaces, and communities in New Jersey since 1948, builds on a historic mission and creates programs and activities relevant and vital to 21st Century life. It is a journey we can all take together. The American Conference on Diversity operates eight chapters to help us to educate and empower leaders and bring our messages of inclusion and respect to communities throughout New Jersey: Atlantic County Chapter, Bayonne Chapter, Central Jersey Chapter, Essex County Chapter, Greater Bergen Chapter, Hudson County Chapter, Jersey Shore Chapter, and Mercer County Chapter. Visit www.AmericanConferenceonDiversity.org to learn more. Contact Gail Zoppo Media Relations Consultant 109 Church Street New Brunswick, NJ 08901 gail@AmericanConferenceonDiversity.org 732-745-9330 End
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