Citation Award Dinner
Annual
Brotherhood/Sisterhood
Citation Award Dinner
2008 Honoree,
Dot Kendall Kearns
Each year, the NCCJ Citation Award recognizes citizens of the Piedmont Triad who have made significant contributions towards creating a community free of bias, bigotry and racism. Dot Kendall Kearns is the 2008 recipient of the NCCJ Brotherhood/Sisterhood Citation Award. More than 1,000 community leaders and NCCJ supporters will honor this extraordinary individual and her work to bridge gaps in our Triad community and the world.
In nearly 40 years of service to the people of Guilford County, Dot Kendall Kearns has fought for positive change—especially in the area of education, one of her greatest passions. As a member of the Guilford County Board of Education (a position she is relinquishing after more than 15 years), as former Chair of the Guilford County Board of Commissioners, and as an active member of many other organizations, Mrs. Kearns has worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Guilford County and North Carolina. In some instances, she has taken unpopular positions by championing people who are too often forgotten and can’t stand up for themselves: the very young and the elderly, those with physical and mental challenges, and the economically disadvantaged.
“Although we’ve always known Dot has been an outstanding and extraordinarily effective public
servant, when NCCJ’s Citation Award Selection Committee looked at her service — the leadership roles
she’s played at local, state, and national levels, and the honors she’s received throughout her career — it
was astounding,” says Carl Ashby, Chairman of NCCJ’s Board of Directors. “The nomination materials
spoke of Dot’s selflessness and steadfastness in her advocacy and tireless pursuit of justice. Her strength
in facing up to opposition combined with her deep caring for others truly make Dot an outstanding
citizen.”
NCCJ’s Executive Director Susan Feit says, “Dot Kearns, through her integrity, dedication, and fearlessness in standing up for what’s right, is a marvelous example for the young people involved with NCCJ. As we celebrate Brotherhood and Sisterhood at our Annual Dinner, we’re also reminded it takes action and speaking out to fight bias, bigotry and racism. That’s why NCCJ focuses on providing the tools and training to create a critical mass of youth leaders who will make a difference and it’s why we look to our community for support.”
Interfaith Study Mission Trip
Semiannually,
the Piedmont Triad Region co-sponsors with the Greensboro Jewish Federation,
an Interfaith Study Mission to Israel. The 4th Interfaith Study Mission to Israel, co-sponsored by NCCJ and the Greensboro Jewish Federation, left on September 12th for a 10 day stay in Israel.
Over 40 members of our community committed to this exciting and enlightening mission to study historical and contemporary human relations issues in the Holy Land.
More than a tourist trip, the Interfaith Study Mission takes an interfaith group of local people on a cultural, socioeconomic and historical study trip to the land where three major faith groups originated (Islam, Judaism and Christianity). The mission's members attend study sessions in advance of the trip. Some of the most important learning comes from the bonding that occurs among mission members before, during and after the trip in their opportunities to spread what they learn in the Piedmont Triad community.
The next mission is scheduled for 2009. If you would like more information on how to become involved, you may contact Susan Feit, NCCJ Executive Director at 336-272-0359, ext. 12 or Marilyn Chandler at the Greensboro Jewish Federation at 336-852-5433.
Leaders For Tomorrow
Leaders For Tomorrow (LFT, pronounced "lift") is a summer program designed to offer leadership training (especially focused on human relations issues) for middle school students. It incorporates interactive games, video, and small and large group discussion to explore issues such as bullying, harassment, stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination based on race, religion, size, gender, sexual orientation, culture, etc. LFT is designed as a 2 part workshop (2 sessions of 2-3 hours each) for a group of about 25-30 middle schools students. The training will focus on respect for differences, team building, and conflict management.
This summer, in its pilot year, LFT was offered at no charge, and 14 sessions were scheduled with summer programs (day camps, community programs, etc.) working with middle school students. In 2008, we plan to expand our LFT program to more community groups and organizations.
NCCJ's Collegetown®
NCCJ's Collegetown is a program developed by NCCJ to enable college-aged participants to achieve a new level of respect for and understanding of people of different backgrounds. This program uses may of the same interactive exercises as the Anytown program, NCCJ's week-long leadership program for high school juniors and seniors. NCCJ's Collegetown allows participants to explore and share their experiences and backgrounds with others and discover the many commonalities they share with them. In just a couple of days, in a safe and open environment, a new respect and understanding of each other forms the basis for new friendships and positive interactions.
For more information on how to organize this program at your school or university, you may call the NCCJ office at 336- 272-0359 or email us at nccj@nccjtriad.org.
UniTown®
UniTown
is a three-day, residential human relations awareness and leadership development
program. UniTown helps high school students not only imagine an ideal community,
it empowers them to create it. UniTown provides the opportunity to live
and interact with a diverse group of people from all over Guilford County.
This weekend-long program provides the chance to create a new community
based on inclusion, respect and understanding through working with other
students from different backgrounds and experiences. UniTown prepares high
school youth to return to their schools with an attitude of positive change
to create a better learning environment for themselves and their peers.
Since the launch of the UniTown program in April of 2000 with Marconi Commerce
Systems, NCCJ has conducted many additional UniTowns. Some of the most recent
UniTown sponsors have been with Northeast Guilford High School, High Point Human Relations Commission, United Guaranty/News & Record and Northwest Guilford High School. Other
UniTowns are being planned now for the Spring 2008.
You may contact the NCCJ office at 336- 272-0359 x 15 to find out how your company, organization or school can sponsor or co-sponsor a UniTown Weekend.
Youth Interfaith Tour
OPERATION: UNDERSTANDING 2008
Sunday, February 17th
1:30 PM TO 5:00 PM
Another great year for NCCJ's Youth Interfaith Tour, 2008 marked the 13th annual tour in Greensboro. More than 250 youth and adults participated in this year's tour.
The tour visited:
- Temple Emanuel
- Dormition of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church
- Mt. Zion Baptist Church
About the Youth Interfaith Tour:
This annual tour is for middle school and high school students to give them an opportunity to learn about some of the faith groups in our community. Each year, the tour visits several different places of worship where we learn about a variety of religions and denominations.
The goal of the Interfaith tour is not to attempt to convert people to other religions. We simply hope this experience will help students understand, appreciate and respect some of the differences in religions and styles of worship throughout our community.
High Point Youth Interfaith Tour
First Youth Interfaith Tour in High Point -- A Huge Success
Click here to see the Information Booklet and Study Guide for the tour!
On Sunday, January 27th, 2008, NCCJ sponsored the first Youth Interfaith Tour in High Point, based on NCCJ’s successful annual tour in Greensboro. Over 200 people participated in the tour. The group visited Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Deep River Friends Meeting and B'nai Israel Synagogue. The tour ended with a small pizza party held at City Hall.
Special thanks to the following organizations and individuals who worked with NCCJ to make this all happen:
Planning Committee:
B’nai Israel Synagogue - Barbara Collins
Christ United Methodist Church - Carol Carkin
Deep River Friends Meeting - Lisa Moran
First Presbyterian Church of High Point - Ken Broman-Fulks & Nancy Ruh
Forest Hills Presbyterian Church - Beth Utley
High Point Human Relations Department - Al Heggins
Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church - Terry Aiken
Program Assistance:
Ester Boss
City of High Point & High Point Police Department
Stephanie McDonnell (placed as a volunteer from Jewish Family Services)
Faith Group Leaders:
Father John "Jack" Kelly - Immaculate Heart of Mary C. C.
Barry Strulson - B'nai Israel Synagogue
Scott Wagoner - Deep River Friends
This tour is an opportunity for middle and high school students to visit three houses of worship to learn about the variety of religions, faith traditions and belief systems in our community. The tour will visit Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Deep River Friends Meeting and B’nai Israel Synagogue. There will be no proselytizing and the experience will help the students understand, appreciate and respect some of the differences and similarities between faith groups.
Youth Leadership Conference
Wednesday, March 5th marked the 19th anniversary of NCCJ's Youth Leadership Conference. Hosted on the campus of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State Univerisity (A&T), more than 250 students, counselors and teachers from Guilford County's public and private schools were in attendance.
This program is presented in cooperation with the Guilford County School System and NC A&T University. Traditionally held during the A&T Spring Break, over two hundred fifty high school students from the many Guilford County High Schools, Middle College and Early College programs, and area private schools converge on the A&T campus for a day- long conference that allows the students to share ideas and strategies to improve human relations within their high schools and how to deal with bias, bigotry and racism in their school communities. NCCJ's ANYTOWN graduates serve as small group facilitators.
Each year, students say that the discussions are really interesting and leave the sessions ready to go back to their schools and make a difference.
"I didn't realize many of the stereotypes and prejudices that I held until today. I think that now I will think first before I assume things about people,' one participant said after one of his small group sessions, 'I have probably lost some potentially great friends because of prejudging people.'