Connections is the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities' signature summer high school institute. Since 1993, this statewide summer retreat program has given high school students the opportunity to break barriers, deal with biased behavior, and develop action plans to reduce prejudice in their communities. This summer's retreat will take place from August 3-7 at the W.E. Skelton 4-H Center in Wirtz, Virginia.
Schools have credited the Connections Institute with providing active strategies to increase individual and collective leadership in students. In addition, in the face of biased incidents, schools have relied on the input and leadership of their team of student delegates and alumni to support to galvanize inclusive actions.
Please encourage high schools in your area to send a team of students to the 2020 Connections Institute. And, click here for a volunteer application form if you are interested in serving as a Connections facilitator this summer.
This update includes details about upcoming VCIC programs, as well as many local and national resources. Please let us know how VCIC can partner with you. Contact the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities State Office by phone at (804) 515-7950 or by emailing VCIC.
VCIC and Leadership Metro Richmond have partnered to create a three-part educational training to teach best practices in facilitation. This series will take place in February and March 2020. Space is limited! Click here to learn more and register.
Listening Sessions
The Virginia Commission on African American History Education in the Commonwealth seeks community input during a series of public listening sessions as it examines how to best strengthen the Virginia history standards, as well as African American history education in classrooms across the commonwealth. Click here to learn more.
ReelAbilities Film Festival
VCIC is proud to once again be a Community Partner for the February 11-13 ReelAbilities Diversity and Inclusion Film Festival at the Weinstein JCC. This annual festival is dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories and artistic expressions of people with different abilities.Click here to learn more.
NEXUS Interfaith Dialogues
For 20 years, the Center for the Study of Religious Freedom at Virginia Wesleyan University and VCIC have partnered on the NEXUS Interfaith Dialogue Series. This semester's programs use deliberative dialogue to explore crucial issues in our country. Make plans to attend on March 9 (exploring "How Should We Prevent Mass Shootings in Our Community?") and April 20 (exploring "Coming to America: Whom Should We Welcome, What Should We Do"). Both programs are from 7:00pm - 9:00pm at Virginia Wesleyan University. RSVPs are requested by emailing csrf@vwu.edu.
Teachable Moments Educator Workshop
VCIC invites educators from Chesterfield, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, Powhatan, and Richmond to register for a Teachable Moments Educator Workshop on March 19. Thanks to the Herndon Foundation, there is no cost to attend. Space is limited and registration is required.
Featured Articles and Curriculum
This month's article and curriculum links focus on bullying. Please share your ideas and suggestions for future updates!
