Youth Programs
Take me to information about JCA’s Adult and Community programs.
In our work to combat bias, bigotry and racism, we reach hundreds of youth and adults each year through our programming. We believe that we must be engaged in self-examination and commit ourselves to learning more about others in order to build respect and understanding. Each of our youth programs is designed to empower youth leaders with both the will and the skills to create a more inclusive school environment and community. Youth programs include:
Ourtown for Teens
Formerly known as Anytown, Ourtown for Teens will be held August 1-7, 2010, at Ferncliff Conference Center in western Pulaski County. This unique, week-long youth leadership training retreat is for Arkansas high school students of different races, religions and cultures. Participants experience and gain respect for diversity, while learning effective leadership skills. Ourtown for Teens graduates take the skills learned at this camp back to their communities to be effective leaders in breaking down the barriers that often divide us.
Student leaders entering 10th, 11th or 12th grades who are ready to identify and address prejudice should apply for this retreat. Applicants should have a strong desire to help build a world of acceptance, understanding and peace.
At Ourtown for Teens, students have the opportunity to:
- Interact with a diverse group of students from across Arkansas
- Share their experiences and hear different world perspectives
- Learn more about themselves
- See the world in a different way.
Topics explored at Ourtown for Teens include:
- Racial, ethnic and cultural identity
- Stereotypes and discrimination
- Gender roles and sexuality
- Inter-religious respect
- Building an inclusive community
Ourtown for Teens is recognized as a premier youth leadership institute in America and incorporates various learning experiences such as group discussions, role playing, guest presentations, skits and games.
Students entering 10th, 11th or 12th grades are invited to contact Elizabeth Akama-Makia, Youth Programs Director, for more information or to apply for Ourtown for Teens today!
If you would like to read student testimonials about Ourtown for Teens:
Click Here
Testimonials
"One week with other students from around Arkansas is all I needed to open my eyes to the world around me. Before Ourtown, I was just a high school student. After Ourtown, I am a high school student who knows how to make a difference.”
"Before last summer, I considered myself very accepting of diversity; I grew up in downtown Little Rock, and I have attended public schools all my life. I didn’t think I really needed diversity or leadership training, but this program sounded so cool, so I went, and boy was I wrong about myself! I learned lessons I will continue to use for the rest of my life and made friends that I hope to hang on to for that long as well."
"Ourtown helped me shape opinions and learn more about myself. It changed the way I view my country, my life and the world around me. Ourtown provides a powerful and almost unbelievable experience that anyone, and everyone, from any and every walk of life should feel. Ourtown gives you a once in a lifetime opportunity to change your life and then change your world. Please do not let this program pass you by!"
Students report that Ourtown is "the greatest experience in my life."
Unitown
Unitown has been offered to high schools since 2000. This 2 day retreat for students and teachers from one high school prepares participants to be leaders in making their school more inclusive and accepting of diversity. Up to 50 students along with faculty members gain the skills to overcome all forms of prejudice. The students become energetic leaders in their classrooms, halls, and communities. Students become effective conflict managers, and teachers say the multicultural experience gives them a better understanding of their students. Each Unitown group writes a “School Action Plan for Inclusion” before they return to their campus.
JCA highly recommends the resources provided by the City of Little Rock Racial and Cultural Diversity Commission to establish a Youth Diversity Council at your school. Please visit www.rcdcydc.org for resources, tools and more information.
One of the benefits of the Unitown program is the profound positive outcome for the faculty members who participate. Many report a “new enthusiasm” for teaching and a “new respect and understanding” of their students.
High schools from across Arkansas are invited to contact Elizabeth Akama-Makia, Youth Programs Director, for more information or to schedule a Unitown for your school. Available time slots are limited, so contact JCA today!
Testimonials
If you would like to read teacher testimonials about Unitown for Teens:
Click Here
"The conversations engaged in between student and teacher CANNOT be accomplished in a typical school setting."
"I was giving up hope that our school system could really impact the students in a profound way, but Unitown DID and renewed my faith."
"The residual effect of the positive energy and attitude is REMARKABLE."
"I have witnessed first hand the camp philosophy in action—there was a disagreement between a couple of guys in class and my Unitown graduate had no problem settling it between them."
"The togetherness we felt has carried over into school—students are settling conflicts and setting -isms straight."
If you would like to read student testimonials about Unitown for Teens:
Click Here
“'Got Influence?'” Little Rock Central students were given this very question when we attended Unitown. From the second we walked in the building we were challenged to break any lines created by race or sex barriers. We participated in role plays to determine what types of discrimination were apparent in all types of environments. We divided in to groups to list stereotypes. By the end of the day, I was much more aware of how prevalent and apparent stereotypes were in the world and how race and sex are still major problems facing American’s success. I learned a lot not only about the world and my friends but also about myself. I learned that I can still do things and make assumptions that can be considered prejudice even without realizing how hurtful what I am doing can be. From attending Unitown I now notice these simple acts and am working to change them in my life to be a more accepting and likewise accepted person."
"We all learned to really respect others and appreciate our differences."
"I learned things here that I couldn’t have learned anywhere else."
"It made me feel like I belonged."
"We talked about real issues."
Teentown
Teentown is an anti-bullying program for middle school students. This leadership and self-esteem building workshop allows students to explore the causes and effects of bullying. In this workshop, students begin to understand the negative outcomes of bullying such as absenteeism and poor academic performance and long term effects like depression, social anxiety, decreased self-esteem, anger and sadness. With this understanding they recognize that things they say and do to each other can deeply impact a person.
Teentown empowers students to feel they can intervene safely if they witness a bullying incident and that students and faculty can work together to form an effective, fair, prevention-oriented anti-bullying program.
Teentown activities include team and trust-building exercises, character education, small group discussions, role-playing and conflict resolution. Specific topics explored include the effects of name calling and labels, cliques and gangs, positive friendships and healthy choices, and prevention and intervention of bullying.
The objectives of Teentown are for students to develop:
- Leadership skills
- Skills in identifying and breaking down barriers that divide groups
- An awareness of prejudice and discrimination and the societal impact of * both
- An increased self-awareness and self-esteem
- An understanding and respect for students who are different from them
- Team-building skills and a willingness to work together
- A desire to advocate for an inclusive and friendly school environment
- Conflict resolution skills around issues of bullying and name calling
- The ability to make good choices in difficult situations
Middle schools from across Arkansas are invited to contact Elizabeth Akama-Makia, Youth Programs Director, for more information or to schedule a Teentown for your school. Available time slots are limited, so contact JCA today!
Different and the Same
Different and the Same is a series of nine entertaining video lessons for K - 3rd grades to help teachers and their students talk about, understand and prevent prejudice. This video set has been provided to every Little Rock School District elementary school by JCA.
Counselors in the Little Rock School District praise this program because it addresses real issues in an understandable and entertaining way for young children. The videos address issues such as:
- Name-Calling
- Being Excluded from Mainstream Culture
- Speaking a Different Language
- Stereotyping
- Standing Up Against Prejudice
- Interracial Friendships
- Cultural identity/Assimilation
- Definitions of Being American
- Hate Crimes
Each video comes with suggested activities with the goals of building fairness, awareness, inclusion and respect in your school environment and beyond.
Elementary schools from across Arkansas are invited to contact Elizabeth Akama-Makia, Youth Programs Director, for more information on this program.