Resources, funding, and events to advance inclusive school communities
FEBRUARY 2023
Greetings!
In 1993, the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities launched an innovative high school program called Metrotown. This year, 30 years later, that program (now called the Connections Institute) continues to teach students to appreciate difference and promote understanding and respect within their schools.
Thousands of program alumni are now educators, psychologists, politicians, business leaders, and healthcare professionals. And they have the Connections Institute to thank for supporting them in becoming engaged citizens who understand the importance of working together across lines of difference in our increasingly diverse world.
As always, please let us know how VCIC can support your community. You can see day-to-day updates about our work by following VCIC on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. We look forward to working with you!
VCIC Updates & Announcements
2022-2023 Student Forums
VCIC is excited to return to in-person student forums in the 2022-2023 school year. The following programs are coming up:
March 8 - Tidewater Diversity Dialogue Day(free for Tidewater-area high schools thanks to Dominion Energy)
March 14 - Lynchburg Diversity Dialogue Day(free for Lynchburg-area high schools thanks to Dominion Energy)
Through the Workplace Inclusion Network, VCIC convenes professionals who support or lead diversity and inclusion efforts within their organizations for expert-led professional development sessions. The 2023 series has just been announced and will focus on the theme, "Past, Present, Future." Learn more about WIN and register your organization!
Guide to Constructive and Inclusive Dialogue
At a time of great separation due to the pandemic and political polarization, VCIC is proud to release a new Guide to Constructive and Inclusive Dialogue. This Guide provides frameworks, tools, and resources to support dialogues that can (re-)build community. Thanks to an anonymous donor, VCIC can facilitate a limited number of Constructive and Inclusive Dialogue workshops at no cost for educational and community groups.
Featured Articles and Curriculum
This month's article and curriculum links focus on reading/language arts. Please share your ideas and suggestions for future updates!
