WOW!!!
Not many things, outside of my children, have inspired as much delight and enthusiasm as my experience at a fundraising brunch last year, for The Mosaic Project. Nine- and ten-year-olds stood up and told me how a week at a peacemaking camp changed their lives. For example, a boy asked his family NOT to give him Christmas presents but to donate to the camp program instead (seriously?). A white girl and a black girl wrapped their arms around each other, told us what they liked about each other, and how this was the first friend of the other race they'd ever met. Another boy told his story of going back to school, seeing other kids tease someone he used to tease, and choosing this time to "take a stand" and ask them to stop (he really said, "take a stand"). Together, we laughed, cried and shared renewed hope about what was possible in this world.
I invite you to join me for a *free brunch* at Hs Lordships in Berkeley to hear more stories like these from not only the 4th and 5th graders, but the teenage camp counselors who come back later because the camp changed their lives and the staff who make this program happen. Plus, there's a special treat in store for us: a private performance by Brett Dennen, whom you may recognize from KFOG and other radio stations. I'd love to share a table with you for breakfast!
Last year, I was so moved at the brunch, I arranged a visit to Napa and spent two days observing the week-long program that brings students from 3 different schools together for this experiential learning camp. The commitment and creativity was amazing. A mix of kids from diverse socio-economic backgrounds ate up fun songs and activities about empathy, self-esteem, valuing differences, anti-oppression and "I messages" to help resolve conflicts peacefully. They moved through the week embodying new language, understandings and skills. On the last day, I watched some 4th/5th graders coach two staff people through a "spontaneous" conflict and learned a few things myself.
These are our future leaders and I urge you join me in learning more about how they are going to rock our world.
And if you're busy that day, don't let that stop you from checking out this transformational, action-oriented, difference-making phenomenon and decide if you're ready to help spread the good work beyond the Bay Area.