Youth Community Programs
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In our work to combat bias, bigotry and racism, we reach hundreds of youth and adults each year through our adult and youth community programs. 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 community programs is designed to empower youth leaders with both the will and the skills to create a more inclusive school environment and community. Youth community programs include:
OurCampus
APPLY NOW for OurCampus 2012! Friday, January 20 - Sunday, January 22 at Ferncliff Conference Center.
Help spread the word on your campus - download a flyer to post or email!
OurCampus, JCA's newest youth program, is a two and a half-day diversity and inclusion retreat, in which college students and faculty come together to learn to value diversity, to recognize bias and understand its costs, to understand the role of privilege in America, and to ultimately become agents of change in promoting inclusion on their campuses and in their communities.
OurCampus addresses one of America’s greatest challenges - preparing young adults to become socially responsible and productive citizens in an increasingly pluralistic society. Both on their campus and as they enter the work force, these future leaders of education, government, faith, business and the media will be prepared to share and act upon a vision of inclusive workplaces, communities, and all institutions of our society.
Students who are ready to take an in-depth look at the issues of race, gender and sexuality are invited to apply for this unique opportunity. A limited number of participants may attend, and participants will be selected to represent the broadest possible diversity in the group. For more information, contact Elizabeth Akama-Makia, Youth Programs Director, or call 501-372-5129.
Ourtown for Teens
Formerly known as Anytown, Ourtown for Teens will be held July 31 - August 6, 2011 at Ferncliff Conference Center in western Pulaski County. This unique, week-long residential 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!
THANK YOU to Legacy Termite and Pest Control for your generous sponsorship of this year's Ourtown for Teens...and we also want to thank the individual donors who helped to bring the Ourtown experience to our 2011 Delegate Class.
Deborah Bell
Mary Cantwell
Etta F. Carter
Mr. Mark Cebulski
Cory D. Childs
Ashley & David Coldiron
Carol Cornell
Carol and Wayne Dyer
Pierre Ferrari
Vivian Flowers
Angela Frazier
Andrea Gomez
Wes Goodner
Scott Hamilton
Denise Hanson
Laine Harber
Richard Hutchinson
Alexandra Ifrah
Dr. and Mrs. Jerry Jacobson
Margaret Johnston
Wilson Jones
Shirley Jones
Jim Keet
Shareese Kondo
Rabbi & Mrs. Eugene H. Levy
Eric McDaniel
Barbara Metzger
Michael S. Moore
Peggy Nabors
Linda Neal
Sam Nickol
Senator & Mrs. David Pryor
K.D. Reep
Dr. Chad Rodgers
Kerri and Toby Sernel
Bryan & Nancy Silva
Ellie Smith
Carolyn Staley
Dr. and Mrs. Billy Thomas
CeCelia Todd
Annabelle & Henry Tuck
Mallory Van Dover & Brian Cato
Mr. and Mrs. Jim Wohlleb
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 in youth conflict resolution, 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
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 youth conflict resolution, team and trust-building exercises, character education, small group discussions and role-playing. 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
- Youth 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.
Explore our Events to learn more about the community building activities we host throughout the year!