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YOU Matter: 5 Tips for Self-Care

Posted on by NCCJ

YOU Matter: 5 Tips for Self-Care


November 21, 2019
Category: Anytown
Tags: , , , ,

A white cup with black text with light blue at the bottom stating, "You can't pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first."

When we speak about social justice, we often talk about the many ways we can act and interact with one another to create more inclusive communities. However, we don’t always talk about the fact that we also need to take care of ourselves.

With that in mind, here are 5 self-care strategies (adapted from Kathy O’Bear) that can help you avoid burnout while you pursue the rewarding but often challenging work of building more respectful, inclusive communities.

  1. Create better balance in your physical health. Daily exercise can help you physically and mentally, boosting your mood and reducing stress and anxiety. You can rejuvenate yourself rapidly, and boost your energy and stamina.
  2. Practice awareness.Know your triggers. Have you noticed how much less effective you are when you come from a place of ego – of resentment or fear – versus when you feel grounded and centered?
  3. Have the courage to say “no.”No one can really do all and be all, and that’s why setting boundaries is key. Learning to say no is really hard; many of us feel obligated to say yes when someone asks for our time or energy. However, if you’re already stressed or overworked, saying yes to loved ones or coworkers can lead to burnout, anxiety, and irritability.
  4. Assess your values.Find ways to show up that are consistent with your values. In other words, find ways to stay true to who you are.
  5. Find your power in vulnerability. We know you’re wonderful and passionate about creating positive change, but you’re also human. It’s OK to ask for help, to take some downtime…to make time for YOU. That’s what self-care is all about.

NCCJ Interfaith Calendars

Posted on by NCCJ

NCCJ Interfaith Calendars


August 8, 2019
Category: Resource
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Logo for NCCJ Interfaith Calendar with bluish-green colors, symbols, and text.

Our community is rich with diversity. Recognizing and respecting the faith traditions of others will help your friends, colleagues and neighbors feel more comfortable being their whole selves. It’s also important to acknowledge and respect those who don’t follow a faith. This is a key step in building more inclusive schools and workplaces.

 

We hope you’ll find our Interfaith Calendars useful when you’re planning events or scheduling meetings. Selecting inclusive dates helps ensure that your event is welcoming for everyone. You may also find these calendars a helpful learning tool for sparking discussions about different faith practices.

 

NCCJ’s Interfaith Calendars include holidays and cultural observances for most faith traditions practiced in our community. These include Bahá’í, Buddhist, Christian (Protestant, Orthodox, and Roman Catholic), Hindu, Jewish, Mormon, Muslim, Sikh and Wiccan/Pagan. Because of the great number of religious, ethnic, and cultural groups across the United States, we recognize that this resource does not provide an exhaustive list for all our faith traditions.

6 Tips for Tough Talks

Posted on by ADMIN

6 Tips for Tough Talks


May 28, 2019
Category: Resource
Tags: , , ,

An African American high-school student talking to a White high-school student sitting on a stone wall outside in front of trees.

Having challenging conversations is a key part of creating a more inclusive, respectful community. To move forward, we all need to step out of our comfort zones and talk to people who think differently than we do.

With that in mind, NCCJ would like to share a few tips you may find helpful for having a respectful conversation with someone you don’t agree with:

  1. Listen actively. Don’t listen to form an opinion, or for what you want to hear. Listen to understand. Ask questions to clarify, but don’t interrupt.
  1. Stay calm. Hear something that makes your blood boil? Is your gut reaction to respond angrily? Slow down. Pause those spinning wheels and listen.
  1. Ask follow-up questions. This will help you get to know the person and understand their experiences and their values.
  1. Use “I” statements. When it’s your turn to speak, explain how you feel (“In my experience…” or “The way I see it…”) It goes a long way toward convincing others to listen to you.
  1. Avoid labels. Labels can be useful. They help us sort and categorize. But when we rely on labels to talk about others, it obscures the fact that we’re talking about people. About children. About families. About our neighbors.
  1. Don’t disconnect. You may have to agree to disagree, but don’t let it shut down the conversation.

Committing ourselves to the uncomfortable, frustrating work of talking to people we don’t agree with isn’t easy. It takes courage and compromise from both sides. But it’s the first step to finding solutions that work for all of us, not just some of us.

Download our handout

8 Ways to Support Young Leaders in Your Life

Posted on by ADMIN

8 Ways to Support Young Leaders in Your Life


May 28, 2019
Category: Anytown
Tags: , , , ,

A group of multiracial youth students gathered together smiling in a group sitting on the floor doing crafts.

Investing in young people plants the seeds for a brighter future. Today’s young people are the leaders of tomorrow. They’re the ones who will guide and shape our community in the years to come. Young people don’t have to wait to be leaders; they can lead right now, at school and in their communities.

Here are 8 ways you can support the young leaders in your life:

  1.  See them for who they are. Treat them as individuals and take the time to get to know them and form meaningful relationships. 
  2.  Show them they have value and deserve respect.Listen to their thoughts and feelings. 
  3.  Engage with them in genuine ways.Ask questions about their life experiences and help them challenge their assumptions and make connections between systems, ideas, and events. 
  4.  Take them seriously.Be open to their ideas and concerns. Help direct their energy by encouraging them to take positive actions to bring about the changes they want to see. 
  5.  Don’t expect more from them than you would from another adult. That said, don’t excuse all indiscretions or errors in judgment just because they’re young. 
  6.  Be careful about interrupting. Young people can be easily discouraged.  
  7.  Don’t move too fast.Remember – this is all new for young people! 
  8.  Connect them with other adults who can help. You know a broad network of people in different fields who may be able to help a young person gain the knowledge, access, or experience they need to achieve their goals. Make the connection by introducing young people to your peers and colleagues as appropriate. 

How are you supporting young leaders in your life? Know a young person who deserves recognition? Tell us @NCCJtriad on Facebook and Instagram. 

 

Download our handout

Meet an ANYTOWNer: Kenneth Brown, Jr.

Posted on by ADMIN

Meet an ANYTOWNer: Kenneth Brown, Jr.


May 28, 2019
Category: Anytown
Tags: , , , ,

An African American man standing outside with the White House and other buildings behind the male.

Meet Kenneth

He went to ANYTOWN as a high school student in 2013.

What he’s up to now

Student Body President at Elon University

How did you find out about ANYTOWN?

I found out about ANYTOWN through an ANYDAY session and I attended the Youth Leadership Conference before I went. On top of that, my high school counselor kind of pushed me to go and apply.

How did ANYTOWN shape your high school experience?

ANYTOWN helped me shape the basis of the anti-bullying club, which turned into the diversity club at my high school called “The Every1 Club.” We did programming around anti-bullying and breaking down barriers that prevent people from getting to know each other. ANYTOWN taught me that the way we begin to change the world is by getting to know people and see their humanity. So, we tried to echo that in our club.

Did ANYTOWN influence where you went to college, or your choice of major?

My major is Human Service Studies and the lessons I learned attending ANYTOWN play a huge part in my major because it’s all about working with people. Just like ANYTOWN, my major is teaching me how to work with other people and tapping into their strengths to help them with the problems they face in their community. I’m seeing the importance of diversity, creativity, listening, and working in collaboration with others – all things I was introduced to at ANYTOWN.

How has ANYTOWN shaped your career choices?

ANYTOWN made me more interested in diversity and diversity education. Since I have been in college, I’ve wanted to work with people and work in an office or with an organization that focuses on diversity. Diversity education is something that I’m interested in.

How has ANYTOWN shaped you as a person?

ANYTOWN made me realize how privilege works in the dominant factors of life. I remember the Sunday after I got off the mountain, I was in church and I was crying because it didn’t make sense how school breaks fall around major Christian holidays, but those in other religions must send a note to school asking for time off for their major holidays. I remember calling Christianity the “bully religion.” Obviously, I’ve grown a lot and reconciled that, but it just made me more aware of all the differences that make our world a pretty interesting place to be. It also made me want to work harder for those who are not represented, not only so they can have a seat at the table for important, transformative decisions, but also so we can see them as people and see their humanity.  

What would you say to a parent/guardian who is considering sending their child to ANYTOWN?

Just do it. We live in a world where students need to know the importance of the diversity, the importance of working with others. Being exposed to other cultures, ways of life, talents, strengths will prepare students for life after high-school. So, do it. They’ll work with you to make sure your kid can get on the bus and go up the mountain and come back down a better citizen.

NCCJ