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Boys & Girls Clubs of Northern Westchester Pilots "Youth for Unity" Diversity Program Program Launches Nationally To Help Combat Prejudice, Promote Tolerance

Mt. Kisco, NY, August 1, 2006 — The Boys & Girls Clubs of Northern Westchester recently completed a two-year pilot of the Youth for Unity interactive diversity program created by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. As one of 56 Clubs selected nationwide, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northern Westchester involved club members, parents, and staff in the multifaceted program. Youth for Unity is now available to the four million young people at more than 3,700 Boys & Girls Club locations.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Northern Westchester initiated the program with the parents of the children in its after-school "The Fun Club" program. It then trained staff to bring the program to the children in grades K through 12. Select high school members of the Clubs' Liberty Keystone Youth Advisory Council were trained as Peer Leaders. Not only did the Liberty Keystoners help with the Youth for Unity program at the Clubs, they also obtained permission to bring the program to the freshman class at Fox Lane High School in Bedford. The Teens conducted a survey and two panel discussions with the 9th graders. J.P. LaCour, Director of Teen Programs at the Clubs, and the Keystone leadership are working closely with the administration at Fox Lane High School to continue the program in the fall. The Liberty Keystone Youth Advisory members also presented a version of the program at Westchester County Youth in Action Forum at Pace University in early Spring.

Youth for Unity will build the ability of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northern Westchester to help young people better understand diversity and combat prejudice, bigotry and discrimination," said Brian Skanes, Executive Director, Boys & Girls Clubs of Northern Westchester. "It delivers perspectives and skills that will help youth adapt and thrive in a diverse society."

Research Shows Need for Diversity Education

A new report says teens see race relations as one of the most important issues concerning them today. Boys & Girls Clubs of America's (BGCA) "Youth Report to America" (YRTA) also reports teens feel America should strive for racial harmony because it will reduce conflict and unite the country and because all Americans share the same values.

The Report, the largest national survey ever developed and administered by teens, coincides with the national roll out of Youth for Unity, a new interactive diversity education program funded by The Allstate Foundation.

Recent studies suggest that parents play a critical role in helping their children develop positive attitudes about inclusion, re-emphasizing the lessons learned in school or programs like Youth for Unity. A 2005 survey of Boys & Girls Club members found about half of the respondents believe their parents would not approve if they dated someone from another race, religion or ethnic group.

According to the National Center for Education, prejudice and violence continue to cause problems for most schools. In 2003, about one out of ten students ages 12-18 reported that someone at school had used hate-related words against them, and one out of three students ages 12-18 had seen hate-related graffiti.

The Youth for Unity program is part of a larger Boys & Girls Clubs of America diversity initiative funded by a $4.5 million commitment from The Allstate Foundation. Youth for Unity is designed to help children, teens and caregivers:

• Appreciate themselves as unique and special individuals;
• Understand society's diversity;
• Recognize bias and unfairness; and
• Take personal leadership in confronting bias.

Diversity Book Project

As part of the national expansion, BGCA is creating a Youth for Unity "Diversity Book" to encourage expression of ideas and personal reflections about experiences in diversity from youth. The Diversity Book will encourage personal expressions about diversity, critical in the diversity education process. It will reinforce the messages outlined in the Youth for Unity curriculum and be a resource for staff and Club Members to encourage discussions about diversity. The book will be released in late 2006.

Youth for Unity speaks to our commitment to inclusion, tolerance and diversity in the workplace, marketplace and the communities we serve," said Jan Epstein, executive director, The Allstate Foundation, "The pilot programs were successful and with the national roll out we expect even greater results in reaching our youth about these important issues."

Youth for Unity incorporates elements for youth, parents and BGC staff:

• Centerpiece Program (for ages 6-12, teens and parents):
  • Diversity Activity Kits: one for 6-12 year olds, and one for teens with interactive, age-appropriate activities spanning a variety of Club core program areas
  • A teen peer-leadership program
  • Parent component exposes adults to current diversity issues and the potential impact upon their children and the community

• Training and Resources (for Club Professionals) — To help respond and adapt to America's changing workplace and community demographics countrywide, staff members participate in diversity workshops.

• Special Event "How To" Kit (for Club leaders and staff) — A collection of special events highlighting diversity that Clubs can implement.
  

Agnes Norvich, Corporate Relations Consultant, Allstate Corporation, Northbrook, Illinois, recently presented Brian Skanes, Executive Director, Boys & Girls Clubs of Northern Westchester, Mount Kisco, New York with the Youth for Unity Leadership Award at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America Centennial Conference in Boston, Massachusetts.

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Boys & Girls Clubs of Northern Westchester
351 Main Street, Mt. Kisco, New York 10549 (914) 666-8069