9 Participants: 5 adults and 4 teens. Shiva (YAC Freshman Chair), Chase, Nicole (YAC Junior Chair), Caitlin (YAC Senior Chair), Mrs. Joan Korenbilt (Respect Diversity Foundation, Dr. Gigi Hu (JASO's Education Director), Mr. Ken Ho (JASO), Miss Lisa Perry (Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma), and Mrs. Carmen Clay(Rainbolt Family Service-Learning Chair). Cost: $21 for fruit, flowers, and water purchased at Sam's. Lunch at Ajanta, Indian Food Restaurant: $124 Total cost: $145.
Special thanks to Mr. John Kennedy for providing the funding for this event. Casady Service-Learning will allocate remaining funds to San Francisco, Six Billon Paths to Peace immediate needs and will purchase Peace Education project needs with remaining funding, ie $100 for Peace Manga DVD. The purchase provides rights to be viewed by different audiences and the DVD will have shared ownership with the OKC Memorial Museum and JASO.
Agenda: Set by participants following FEDEX Time guidelines (With a know task, use time and selection of topics to address with autonomy. Be ready to present results.)
10:00-10:15: Arrival and welcome
10:15-12:00 Introductions with personal agendas and Connections: Relationship building to create teams with autonomy of time and task.
Shiva: Freshman YAC Chair. Volunteered as a CIT at Casady last year. He also volunteered at Camp Casady this year. A few hours short of silver presidential award. Participated with his family in Walk the World 2010. Enjoyed the Friday time at the museum, especially the archives part and wants to work on sustainable peace initiatives at Casady School. Connections: Class of 2014, Indian Community of OKC.
Chase: Left Casady to join the ROTC. Interested in West Point after graduation. Current sophomore at Edmond Memorial. Chase fundraised at Edmond Memorial to support children with special needs. Edmond Schools have big yearly fundraisers with school wide participation. He was not a leader of the fundraising efforts. Chase is interested in promoting collaborative service efforts between the two schools. Connections: ROTC at Edmond Memorial, Native American community.
Nicole: YAC Junior Chair, Cheerleader, STUCO Officer, Debate enthusiast. Nicole wants to become a surgeon. Nicole with another YAC Junior Chair, Chandler will provide a youth touch to the Casady Volunteer Center before school starts. Nicole wants to increase the collaborative efforts between YAC, STUCO, and other clubs and sports at Casady. Nicole stated that YAC,,STUCO and Casady in general are undergoing re-organization. Nicole stated that better organization, greater focus, and sustainable collaborations were needed. Nicole also stated that STUCO is going to have an organizational lock-in in August. Nicole suggested to have YAC Chairs meeting before school starts. She stated that in previous years YAC meetings were not effective. We will use FEDEX and 20% management concepts for meetings this year. Connections: STUCO, Cheerleaders, Gales, Debaters, Casady sports.
Caitlin: YAC senior Chair, President of Multicultural Club. Caitlin is West Point Boudn. Caitlin is interested in promoting knowledge of Native American cultures at school and the Oklahoma City community. She wishes to bring speakers for the multicultural club and connect with the culinary club. Caitlin volunteered to take YAC's voice to STUCO and support Nicole's efforts enhancing YAC, clubs, and STUCO collaborations. Connections: Native American Communities: Cherokee and Delaware, Multicultural Club. From the Invitational, Caitlin also has connections to the Respect Diversity Speaker Bureau, the International Women's Club in Ponca City, and the Japan America Society. A further suggestion Mrs. Clay thought after the retreat, Turkey House: Interfaith Dialogs as another connection for MC.
Mrs. Carmen Clay: Make working for peace intrinsically motivating like Nike Just Do It. Mrs. Clay spoke about the Six Billion Paths to Peace initiative which sees service as leadership builder and de-stressor. Mrs. Clay provided a copy of "Be the Peace" and "Six Billion Paths to Peace" cards to participants, courtesy of the Shinnyo-en Foundation. Mrs. Clay's goal is to help students find their path to peace through acts of service that are personally meaningful, relevant, and engaging. Connections: Spanish speaking community and Spanish teachers. Shinnyo-En Foundation: Six Billion Paths to Peace, Pinwheels for Peace, Service-Learning.
Dr. Gigi Hu: Manga and Anime Expert. Japan America Society Education Coordinator. Interested in educating OKC public about manga and anime. Connected to JASO through an ASO meeting. Dr. Hu was motivated to attend the Invitational because she wishes to provide a manga and amime film series at the OKC Library. One of the films in her collection is about building inner and world peace by focusing on making paper cranes for peace. She wishes to have Manga and Anime-Origami peace related projects at Casady in the month of September to help celebrate the International Day of Peace and create an educational outreach for JASO members.
Miss Lisa Perry: Aims to develop sustainable relationships with the Oklahoma City community to end hunger in our city. Interested in helping and being a resource to youth fundraising efforts. Former HH student and an organizing partner for Walk the World 2010 and 2011. Connections: Regional Food Bank Development and Volunteer Offices, Food Bank business partners and restaurants, Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma Students Against Hunger Youth Board, Walk the World 2010 Resources and partners, Heritage Hall Alumni Association.
Mrs. Joan Korenblit: Interested in supporting youth efforts that further the Respect Diversity Foundation mission. Connections: Speaker Bureau in multiculturalism and interfaith initiatives that focus on what faiths have in common. Offers workshops and an annual contest in the spring. On Sunday, September 19, Pinwheels for Peace will take place at Wiley Post. Mrs. Korenblit takes notes in Haiku and she read a poem she wrote after she attended the Chief of Police presentation yesterday. Mrs. Korenblit invited participants to leave their YAC Invitational reflections in the form of poetry, sentence, word, drawing on a blanket.
Mr. Ken Ho: Spouse of Dr. Gigi Hu Ho. Mr. Ho supports his wife's efforts. He wanted to document the meeting through pictures for his wife's website. He wa excited about the meeting and findout YAC and Casady projects related information and helping the meetings in whatever he could.
12:00 -1:00 Lunch at Ajanta, Indian Cuisine: Chase and Caitlin made a connection to West Point former admision officer and HH graduate, Ted Perry. Mrs. Korenblit made a connection for her speakers bureau through Miss Perry. Nicole explain YAC and STUCO to participants. Mrs. Clay gave the history of YAC from its inception as a Service-Learning Committe and its transformation from Youth Advisory Council to YAAC, Youth and Adult Advisory and Action Council.
1:00-2:30 Invitational FEDEX TIME: Create kindness projects to respectfully remember September 11, celebrate the International Day of Peace, and educate about the Oklahoma City Memorial.
1. Seed of Peace: By Chase, Shiva and Mr. Ho. Purpose: One seed can start branches of hope, kindness and peace. Mission Statement: To achieve a continuous process of hope, kindness, and peace growing much like the branches of a tree. The project has as foundation the movie, Pay it Forward. It starts with viewing and discussions of parts of the movie Pay it Forward and a Manga and Anime Origami film from the Japan America Society Film Festival Series. Then, the project hopes to bring guest speakers to present real life accounts of people taking kind actions and encouraging others to do the same. The goal is to help people understand the branching method of kindness because this method can lead to ultimate peace and harmony in the planet. In September the project will connect to the HOPE TRUNK from the Memorial Museum. One hope trunk per division are scheduled to be at the Casady Campus the first two weeks in September. Shiva is the Hope Trunk Ambassador (HTA) at the Primary Division and Chase is considering being the HTA at Edmond Memorial. The project will end in the spring planting a seedling of the Survival Tree at Casady School.
The project encourages people to find their own kind project, much like the Six Billion Paths to Peace initiate: If there are Seven Billion Paths to Kindness and Peace, What is YOURS? The project hopes to branch to several schools.
2. AOPP Project (Anime/Origami/ Peace Project). By Dr. Hu, Mrs. Clay. Purpose: Focus on the cathartic effects art and service experiences have; personal challenges are put aside, the person de-stresses and focus on the creative process and the needs of others. Collaborate to enhance understanding of peace and diversity through creative service. Mission Statement: Seek harmony, serenity, peace and understanding of diversity connecting service and the arts.
Pending Verification with Casady Calendar, pertinent administrators, and planning collaboration with Shinnyo-en Foundation Six Billion Paths to Peace Casady Team
Proposed Schedule:
August
Tuesday, August 24: First Day of classes - Activities
Wednesday, August 25: Second Day of classes
Thursday, August 26: Six Billion Paths to Peace "Be the Peace Cards" distributed to anyone who visits the Volunteer Center at Woods
Friday, August 27: Chapels: Hope Trunk Arrival Announcement by OKC Memorial Officer (TBC), Ice Cream 4 Ideas at Volunteer Center at Woods
Saturday, August 28: YAC FEDEX TIME, 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Lunch by Ted's, Film: Pay it Forward, Six Billion Paths to Peace T-shirts (TBC) for Six Billion Paths to Peace Oklahoma Team. Possible Webinar with SweatMonkey
Monday, August 30: Chapel: Hope Trunk Interaction (HTI); HT Ambassadors and/or Mrs. Clay: Book Creation
Tuesday August 31: Chapel: HTI, The UCO Play ? YAC: Seed of Peace 20% Time
September:
Wednesday, September 1: HTI, Possible OKC Memorial and/or Respect Diversity Foundation Speakers at chapel or assembly with OKC Memorial Speakers 3-4 (Family, Survivor, First Respondant, Educator)
Thursday, September 2: HTI, Possible OKC Memorial Speaker and/or Respect Diversity Foundation speaker on September 11, Memorial, Peace through kindness and service topic
Friday, September 3: HTI, Possible OKC Memorial Speaker or RDF Speaker
Saturday, September 4: Seed of Peace: Food Bank and Habitat Projects 20% Time-Follow-up of FEDEX TIME9 a.m.-11 p.m.at Food Bank:
Students Against Hunger, Walk the World: Purpose: fundraising. Mission Statement: Wipe out childhood hunger through school feeding programs. Ideas provided by Miss Lisa Perry, Joan Korenblit, and Mrs. Clay at Invitational for Christine Farha
-Utilize social networks for marketing purposes
-Partner with local businesses like Big Truck Tacos, Target
-Casady families owned or operated businesses and restaurants
-Utilize word of mouth: Clubs, chapel, lunch
-ASK: People like-are waiting- to be asked. They feel included
-Engaging age-appropriate presentations
-OCTOBER: FIGHT CHILDHOOD HUNGER IN OKC, Bicycle Rides United: Pedaling away hunger...Casady Cans Do collections of cans and money...
-APRIL: FIGHT CHILDHOOD HUNGER IN THE WORLD; UNITED NATIONS WALK THE WORLD
Lunch at restaurant on the way to Food Bank
2 p.m.-4 p.m at Habitat for Humanity 20% Time: Purpose: Fundraise money needed to build a Habitat House ($20,000-$175,000). Mission Statement: Build a home for an Oklahoma family. Ideas provided by Caitlin and Nicole at Invitational
All divisions: Raffle a football or basketball at Cyclone Silent and Live Auction, decorated chest from MD Art class-Mrs. Dubiskas, Christmas Ornaments from Primary division, Mrs. Czerwinski,UD: YAC Quilow and Quilts. T-shirts sold throughout the school and school year: Blue-Green tie dye or purple
UD
Collection jar
Chapel presentations
Pep Rally-Sport Event
Fashion Show
Partnerships with Casady patrons operated businesses or frequented by Casady students
No Regrets, Saturn Grill, Big Truck Tacos, On a Whim, Library, Earl's, Johnnies, City Bites, Blockbuster, Drugstore
MD
Chapel, Opportunity to attend HS YAC meetings to make posters
Year-round treats at end of day on Fridays: Popsicles: summer, cookies: winter, fruit cups or melon slices: spring
LD and PD
Year-round treats at end of day on Fridays: Popsicles: summer, cookies: winter, fruit cups or melon slices: spring
Fundraisers created by students at divisions
Activities at Volunteer Center and OKC community, possible chapels
Tuesday, September 7: Lessons from Bombing and September 11 (chapel)
Wednesday, September 8: Sadako's Story, another bombing story
Thursday, September 9: Origami and Manga and Anime Peace Stories
Friday, September 10: Manga and Anime Peace Film Festival (Sunday at Casady, Tuesday, April 14 at downtown library)
Saturday, September 11: National Volunteer Day. Kindness through Service
10-12: Habitat for Humanity, Mrs. Clay Supervisor
2-4: Food Bank, Mrs. Clay supervisor
Sunday September 12: What, when and where: Manga Peace film and Origami lesson TEA TIME: Sunday, September 12: Anime-Origami-Peace Tea Time: Student Center and Fee 3:00-5:00 snacks and drinks provided by local Japanese Restaurants. Japan America Society professional paper crane origami demonstrations. Origami paper provided by the Japanese Consulate in Houston.
For Whom: All Casady Divisions and partner organizations of the Japan America Society (Catholic Charities Refugee Program, Rebuilding Together)
Why? International Day of Peace Week starting activity.
Monday, September 13: Pinwheels and Origami Cranes for Peace-Pennies for Peace Fundraiser
Tuesday, September 14: Pinwheels for Peace and Origami Cranes for Peace-Pennies for Peace fundraiser
Wednesday, September 15: Pinwheels for Peace and Origami Cranes for Peace-Pennies for Peace fundraiser
Thursday, September 16: Pinwheels for Peace and Origami Cranes for Peace-Pennies for Peace fundraiser
Friday, September 17: Pinwheels for Peace and Origami Cranes for Peace-Pennies for Peace fundraiser
Saturday, September 18, Service-Saturday to help provide food and shelter
10-12: Food Bank: Pick-up Pinwheels and Origami cranes from Kids' Cafes
2-4: Pick up Pinwheels and Origami cranes from Habitat residents
Sunday, September 19: 2:00 p.m. Pinwheels for Peace display at Wiley Post Park and OKC celebration of International Day of Peace. Performers needed
Monday, September 20: International Day of Peace Video at Chapel, Casady Pinwheels for Peace display on campus
Tuesday, September 21: International Day of Peace Casady YAC Celebration
Saturday, August 7, 2010
YAC Invitational: Called2Change: Day at the Memorial Reflection
Participants (19) and Presenters: Reshwan and her grandparents (left at lunch), Caitlin, Chase, and Mrs. Samantha Anderson, Rebecca and Tina, Sasha, Shiva, Nicole, Mrs. Annie Powel, Respect Diversity Foundation Administrative Assistant, Dr. Gigi Hu, JASO Education Coordinator, Mrs. Jerry Clayman, Rose Creek Community Relations, Mr. Kendall White, MD Outreach Coordinator, Mrs. Carmen Clay, Rainbolt Family Service-Learning Chair, Joan Korenblit, Respect Diversity Foundation CEO (after 1:00 p.m.) Mrs. Lynn Roller, Memorial Education and Research Coordinator, Mrs. Lynn , Hope Trunk Presenter, Amy Petty, Bombing Survivor; Mrs. Hayley Thompson, UCO Theater and Communication teacher; Kelsey Fisher, UCO Student; Oklahoma City Police Chief Bill Citty, Archives tour by (do you remember the name of the person) ....
9:00 Outdoor Symbolic Memorial tour with Kari Watkins, Executive Director
Kari Watkins provided a memorable symbolic tour. I will ask participants to enter personal reflections. For me, the highlight was her passion for her job and her extensive knowledge of details regarding the relationship and process developed as the Memorial was constructed. I will remember her advise, "Be willing to compromise, be willing to see the gifts of compromises."
Other personal highlights of the tour:
At the SURVIVOR TREE,(caught on fire due to car fires), Mrs. Watkins stated that the museum provides 500 seedlings in the spring for planting and American Forest sells them. I requested one of the 500 seedlings for Casady School. The survivor tree is a symbol of the faithful spirit of our city. It made me think about faith in our humanity, not a particular religious orientation. Faith in loving kindness for each other, just like the car lights I vividly remember ON everywhere in OKC. The lights were to me the solidarity with the pain and the hope for us to be better in the future and not allow anything like this to ever happen again. Faith in living in harmony and working out what we allow to become our differences. I do not even remember how LIGHTS ON started, maybe that is something I should investigate. The thought of headlights ON brought to mind words I heard from a family member of a person who perished, "I felt a gentle, calming breeze, then I got a call, my mother said that my father was missing. In my desperate search what I remember most is a warm cup of coffee and a gentle embrace.
At the CHAIRS, Mrs. Watkins stated that they are representations of "someone missing" at a table, the emptiness of a season ticket, not a tomb stone. Mrs. Watkins invited us to get a close look at the chairs. My heart focused on Carrie and baby because there was a b-day balloon and flowers. I felt the pain of the relative(s) and the serenity of the souls. It was a senseless lost of lives. People in their daily routine disappeared because of someone's anger for what he believed to be injustice. The result of his anger, he hoped to be chaos; instead, the Memorial stands for HOPE.
Solutions through violence dehumanizes. Later on at the museum I read "The forces of hate and violence must not be allowed to gain their victory, not just in our society, but in our hearts. Nor must we respond hate with more hate."
Words such as immigration reform, oil, power base, fear, special interests wondered through my mind. We quickly forget the lessons of history. It is in these times when we have to focus on the resilience hope has to CALLED2CHANGE, choosing the right to do the right thing to do through respect, resilience, and responsibility. At the archives, I found myself telling the group that my goal, which I might not live to see the result, is to make PEACE as popular as NIKE JUST DO.
"...And right action is freedom
From past and future also.
For most of us this is the aim
Never here to be realized;
Who are only undefeated
Because we have gone on trying..."
-T.S. Eliot, The Dry Salvages
You are not obligated to finish the task; neither are you free to neglected.
-Pirkei Avot (Teaching of the Sages), Chapter 2,21
Regarding the FENCE, Mrs. Watkins stated that it was not part of the original design and people had a long compromise process. Every aspect of the Memorial speaks to me about Change starting with the image of the person standing at the Reflective Pool. The fence, as ugly as a cluttered room might be, also tells about our constant quest to interact with the past to make our present and future better; the spirit of our volunteerism for a world at peace with harmony and balance. Work for PEACE much like a quote I read at the museum, "People came, gave and left without anyone knowing their names, and that was the beauty of the whole effort." I really think PEACE can come to our hearts as silent as angel's wings, if we work at prioritizing it in our lives, which brings to mind another quote found during the tour of the museum, "I was struck by those who just picked up and came on their own to lend a hand. Some had useful skills, others just a willing heart."
9:40 Museum Tour Every time I go to the Museum I focus on something different. I wonder what the participants will share. Today, quotes about volunteerism were my highlight. I am proud my heart is 1/2 Peruvian, 1/2 Oklahoman when I am at the Museum.
"Oklahoma has earned its place in American Folklore as cowboy-tough and proudly self-reliant. Oklahomans may feel more vulnerable now, a little disconnected by what has happen to them, but in their response to this madness, they have showed us all with their essential sense of goodness, community, and compassion. Tom Brokaw, NBC News."
I remember making sandwiches and feeling frustrated because everyone told me I would be on the way if I went to the site. I wish I had listened to my heart instead. Everyone could help, no effort was too small and a helping hand finds a way be make a difference. "Rescue workers return from their shifts to find their clothes from the day before laundered and neatly folded. Their cots are turned down and a mint rests on their pillow, accompanied by a note of thanks."
11:00 Hope Trunk Information and Book Project Example: Because the group and I lost track of time touring the Museum, this part was short and we did not have time to discuss the book making project. The Hope Trunk aims to help students understand the impact of violence, the meaning of community, and the importance of making good choices. Violence is senseless. Personal responsibility is making the right choices: People who knew about the bombing could have prevented the lost of lives if they had revealed what they knew. The Hope Trunk has artifacts, videos, lesson plans, fence objects and more. Casady School will have 4 trunks the first two weeks in September as part of our initiative of KINDNESS OVER VIOLENCE. YAC members from every grade present at the Invitational were asked to consider becoming HOPE Trunk Ambassadors: (HTA's)
Shiva: Primary Division. Will contact PD Principal. Mrs. Czerwinski, Pinwheels for Peace and Miss Russ, Pennies for Peace project sponsor could be helpful resources and contacts.
Tina and Nicole: Lower Division. Need to contact Mrs. France. The Pinwheels for Peace teachers are the 4th grade team. Mr. Bush is also a service-learning teacher. The first grade team works of peace education.
Sasha: Middle Division. Mr White is a great contact there. Mrs. Crossno, Mrs. Sarah Zeidlitz, Pennies for Peace sponsor, and Mrs. Dubiskas could also be of great help.
Caitlin, Rebecca, Reshwan: Upper Division. Father Blizzard, Mr. Varela, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Warden, Mr. Pena, and Mrs. Clay are faculty resources
11:30 First Person program with Amy Petty As amazing and personal as usual. Rebecca will like to invite her to speak at chapel. This time I was taken by the part of her speech were she starts bargaining with God as she realized the things she regretted not having experienced and her relationships with family, friends, and God. Amy, once again recalled the car lights outside her hospital window letting her know that she was not alone facing her second chance of life. Her enthusiasm for life and trying things even if she fails as she attempts, made me think about the one question I wanted to ask participants if we had had the time, What "really" matters to you?
Later on I shared with my friend Jerry follow-up questions
1. What is the task that you have been trying to contemplate in the world? Why? Another way to place the same question for younger audiences, suggested by my friend Jerry was, What will be the one wish you have for our world?
2. How would the world be different if you succeeded? What motivates you to keep on trying when it would be easier to give up? OR, as suggested by Jerry, If you were to be granted the wish and the only way the wish will come true is your involvement, what will you be willing to do? What will be your first steps?
12:15 Lunch by Panera with Hayley Thompson, and Kelsey Fisher. We saw Mason on video. This was a power presentation with a video I wish to take to the Shinnyoen Foundation next week. My reflection on Hayley's work in my second opportunity to hear her speak is that she is amazing! beautiful, young, and with the gift to empower others to find their way to make a difference. I hope we will work closely together in the future. Her journaling through the senses was a highlight among so many highlights. One has to have been there to have a full impact of her presentation. My words will not do her student's work justice.
1:30 First Person program with Oklahoma City Police Chief Bill Citty We joined a public presentation and I left to take a student to volleyball practice. I could not help but feel how impersonal the environment became. I was told it was informative, but not inspiring and perhaps too long.
2:30-4:00 Archives Tour and project brainstorming with Archives research time. I arrived when the tour was in progress. We did not have research time because the archives had to close earlier. The highlight for me was the Origami cranes which gave Dr. Hu the opportunity to tell participants about the story of Sadako. I wish I had remember to request Brandon Spivey's Reflective Resilience Collage to be viewed by participants. I also requested consideration of a traveling exhibit for September 11 of work done collaboratively by OKC and NYC.
Then we spent time at the Memorial store spending our $25 gift certificates to remember our time touching history.
Casady Service Learning wishes to thank Mrs. Lynn Roller, Memorial Museum Director of Education and Research for facilitating the Friday activities and admission to the museum. Special thanks to Mr. John Kennedy for providing the funding for the two-day retreat and a $25 stipend for each participant to spend at the Oklahoma City Memorial store at the end of the day Friday. Our heartfelt thanks to Mrs. Hayley Thompson, Ms. Kelsey Fisher, UCO student for sharing their project experience with the Oklahoma Memorial Museum.
9:00 Outdoor Symbolic Memorial tour with Kari Watkins, Executive Director
Kari Watkins provided a memorable symbolic tour. I will ask participants to enter personal reflections. For me, the highlight was her passion for her job and her extensive knowledge of details regarding the relationship and process developed as the Memorial was constructed. I will remember her advise, "Be willing to compromise, be willing to see the gifts of compromises."
Other personal highlights of the tour:
At the SURVIVOR TREE,(caught on fire due to car fires), Mrs. Watkins stated that the museum provides 500 seedlings in the spring for planting and American Forest sells them. I requested one of the 500 seedlings for Casady School. The survivor tree is a symbol of the faithful spirit of our city. It made me think about faith in our humanity, not a particular religious orientation. Faith in loving kindness for each other, just like the car lights I vividly remember ON everywhere in OKC. The lights were to me the solidarity with the pain and the hope for us to be better in the future and not allow anything like this to ever happen again. Faith in living in harmony and working out what we allow to become our differences. I do not even remember how LIGHTS ON started, maybe that is something I should investigate. The thought of headlights ON brought to mind words I heard from a family member of a person who perished, "I felt a gentle, calming breeze, then I got a call, my mother said that my father was missing. In my desperate search what I remember most is a warm cup of coffee and a gentle embrace.
At the CHAIRS, Mrs. Watkins stated that they are representations of "someone missing" at a table, the emptiness of a season ticket, not a tomb stone. Mrs. Watkins invited us to get a close look at the chairs. My heart focused on Carrie and baby because there was a b-day balloon and flowers. I felt the pain of the relative(s) and the serenity of the souls. It was a senseless lost of lives. People in their daily routine disappeared because of someone's anger for what he believed to be injustice. The result of his anger, he hoped to be chaos; instead, the Memorial stands for HOPE.
Solutions through violence dehumanizes. Later on at the museum I read "The forces of hate and violence must not be allowed to gain their victory, not just in our society, but in our hearts. Nor must we respond hate with more hate."
Words such as immigration reform, oil, power base, fear, special interests wondered through my mind. We quickly forget the lessons of history. It is in these times when we have to focus on the resilience hope has to CALLED2CHANGE, choosing the right to do the right thing to do through respect, resilience, and responsibility. At the archives, I found myself telling the group that my goal, which I might not live to see the result, is to make PEACE as popular as NIKE JUST DO.
"...And right action is freedom
From past and future also.
For most of us this is the aim
Never here to be realized;
Who are only undefeated
Because we have gone on trying..."
-T.S. Eliot, The Dry Salvages
You are not obligated to finish the task; neither are you free to neglected.
-Pirkei Avot (Teaching of the Sages), Chapter 2,21
Regarding the FENCE, Mrs. Watkins stated that it was not part of the original design and people had a long compromise process. Every aspect of the Memorial speaks to me about Change starting with the image of the person standing at the Reflective Pool. The fence, as ugly as a cluttered room might be, also tells about our constant quest to interact with the past to make our present and future better; the spirit of our volunteerism for a world at peace with harmony and balance. Work for PEACE much like a quote I read at the museum, "People came, gave and left without anyone knowing their names, and that was the beauty of the whole effort." I really think PEACE can come to our hearts as silent as angel's wings, if we work at prioritizing it in our lives, which brings to mind another quote found during the tour of the museum, "I was struck by those who just picked up and came on their own to lend a hand. Some had useful skills, others just a willing heart."
9:40 Museum Tour Every time I go to the Museum I focus on something different. I wonder what the participants will share. Today, quotes about volunteerism were my highlight. I am proud my heart is 1/2 Peruvian, 1/2 Oklahoman when I am at the Museum.
"Oklahoma has earned its place in American Folklore as cowboy-tough and proudly self-reliant. Oklahomans may feel more vulnerable now, a little disconnected by what has happen to them, but in their response to this madness, they have showed us all with their essential sense of goodness, community, and compassion. Tom Brokaw, NBC News."
I remember making sandwiches and feeling frustrated because everyone told me I would be on the way if I went to the site. I wish I had listened to my heart instead. Everyone could help, no effort was too small and a helping hand finds a way be make a difference. "Rescue workers return from their shifts to find their clothes from the day before laundered and neatly folded. Their cots are turned down and a mint rests on their pillow, accompanied by a note of thanks."
11:00 Hope Trunk Information and Book Project Example: Because the group and I lost track of time touring the Museum, this part was short and we did not have time to discuss the book making project. The Hope Trunk aims to help students understand the impact of violence, the meaning of community, and the importance of making good choices. Violence is senseless. Personal responsibility is making the right choices: People who knew about the bombing could have prevented the lost of lives if they had revealed what they knew. The Hope Trunk has artifacts, videos, lesson plans, fence objects and more. Casady School will have 4 trunks the first two weeks in September as part of our initiative of KINDNESS OVER VIOLENCE. YAC members from every grade present at the Invitational were asked to consider becoming HOPE Trunk Ambassadors: (HTA's)
Shiva: Primary Division. Will contact PD Principal. Mrs. Czerwinski, Pinwheels for Peace and Miss Russ, Pennies for Peace project sponsor could be helpful resources and contacts.
Tina and Nicole: Lower Division. Need to contact Mrs. France. The Pinwheels for Peace teachers are the 4th grade team. Mr. Bush is also a service-learning teacher. The first grade team works of peace education.
Sasha: Middle Division. Mr White is a great contact there. Mrs. Crossno, Mrs. Sarah Zeidlitz, Pennies for Peace sponsor, and Mrs. Dubiskas could also be of great help.
Caitlin, Rebecca, Reshwan: Upper Division. Father Blizzard, Mr. Varela, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Warden, Mr. Pena, and Mrs. Clay are faculty resources
11:30 First Person program with Amy Petty As amazing and personal as usual. Rebecca will like to invite her to speak at chapel. This time I was taken by the part of her speech were she starts bargaining with God as she realized the things she regretted not having experienced and her relationships with family, friends, and God. Amy, once again recalled the car lights outside her hospital window letting her know that she was not alone facing her second chance of life. Her enthusiasm for life and trying things even if she fails as she attempts, made me think about the one question I wanted to ask participants if we had had the time, What "really" matters to you?
Later on I shared with my friend Jerry follow-up questions
1. What is the task that you have been trying to contemplate in the world? Why? Another way to place the same question for younger audiences, suggested by my friend Jerry was, What will be the one wish you have for our world?
2. How would the world be different if you succeeded? What motivates you to keep on trying when it would be easier to give up? OR, as suggested by Jerry, If you were to be granted the wish and the only way the wish will come true is your involvement, what will you be willing to do? What will be your first steps?
12:15 Lunch by Panera with Hayley Thompson, and Kelsey Fisher. We saw Mason on video. This was a power presentation with a video I wish to take to the Shinnyoen Foundation next week. My reflection on Hayley's work in my second opportunity to hear her speak is that she is amazing! beautiful, young, and with the gift to empower others to find their way to make a difference. I hope we will work closely together in the future. Her journaling through the senses was a highlight among so many highlights. One has to have been there to have a full impact of her presentation. My words will not do her student's work justice.
1:30 First Person program with Oklahoma City Police Chief Bill Citty We joined a public presentation and I left to take a student to volleyball practice. I could not help but feel how impersonal the environment became. I was told it was informative, but not inspiring and perhaps too long.
2:30-4:00 Archives Tour and project brainstorming with Archives research time. I arrived when the tour was in progress. We did not have research time because the archives had to close earlier. The highlight for me was the Origami cranes which gave Dr. Hu the opportunity to tell participants about the story of Sadako. I wish I had remember to request Brandon Spivey's Reflective Resilience Collage to be viewed by participants. I also requested consideration of a traveling exhibit for September 11 of work done collaboratively by OKC and NYC.
Then we spent time at the Memorial store spending our $25 gift certificates to remember our time touching history.
Casady Service Learning wishes to thank Mrs. Lynn Roller, Memorial Museum Director of Education and Research for facilitating the Friday activities and admission to the museum. Special thanks to Mr. John Kennedy for providing the funding for the two-day retreat and a $25 stipend for each participant to spend at the Oklahoma City Memorial store at the end of the day Friday. Our heartfelt thanks to Mrs. Hayley Thompson, Ms. Kelsey Fisher, UCO student for sharing their project experience with the Oklahoma Memorial Museum.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
YAC Invitational: Called2Change: Letter to Participants
Dear YAC Invitational, Called2Change Participant,
Thank you for choosing the opportunity to learn about the Oklahoma City Memorial, the Museum and for your willingness to spend time brainstorming the creation of intergenerational kindness projects to celebrate the International Day of Peace, September 21 http://www.internationaldayofpeace.org/ and to remember with HOPE for PEACE, September 11, 2001.
Friday, August 6, we will meet at the Oklahoma City National Memorial located at 620 N. Harvey Ave. Please check the Memorial Museum website for directions and parking instructions. Parking is about $5.00 for the day at nearby parking lots. http://www.oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org/.
Our Invitational begins on Friday with a Memorial tour by Mrs. Kari Watkins, Museum's Executive Director. The group will meet Mrs. Watkins at the front entrance of the museum. The Friday activities at the Museum end at 4:00 p.m.
Friday, August 6 : YAC Invitational Schedule at Memorial Museum
9:00 Outdoor Symbolic Memorial tour with Kari Watkins, Executive Director
9:40 Museum Tour
11:00 Hope Trunk Information and Book Project Example
11:30 First Person program with Amy Petty
12:15 Lunch by Panera with Hayley Thompson, Kelsey Fisher, and Mason UCO Student
1:30 First Person program with Oklahoma City Police Chief Bill Citty
2:30-4:00 Archives Tour and project brainstorming with Archives research time
Friday's Guests: Mrs. Hayley Thompson, Ms. Kelsey Fisher and Mason, UCO student, Mrs. Linn Roller, and Mrs. Kari Watkins.
Casady Service Learning wishes to thank Mrs. Lynn Roller, Memorial Museum Director of Education and Research for facilitating the Friday activities and admission to the museum. Special thanks to Mr. John Kennedy for providing the funding for the two-day retreat and a $25 stipend for each participant to spend at the Oklahoma City Memorial store at the end of the day Friday. Our heartfelt thanks to Mrs. Hayley Thompson, Ms. Kelsey Fisher and her UCO students for sharing their project experience with the Oklahoma Memorial Museum.
On Saturday, the meeting venue changes to Casady School, located at 9500 North Pennsylvania, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73120. The group will meet at Casady's Volunteer Center located at Woods Building. See Campus Map at https://www.casady.org/ftpimages/227/download/download_group5601_id307995.jpg. Park in front of the Gaylord Student Center. There will be signs ushering participants to the Woods Building.
Saturday, August 7 Invitational Schedule, Casady School, Volunteer Center, Woods Building
10:00-12:00 Project planning time
12:00 -1:00 Lunch location TBD by participants
1:00-2:00 Project presentations
2:00-2:30 Respect Diversity Foundation Closing Art Experience
Special thanks to our Saturday's guests for sharing their time and project experiences. Joan Korenblit, Respect Diversity Foundation Executive Director and Pinwheels for Peace Project Partner; Mrs. Zena from Mercy School and member of Respect Diversity; Lisa Perry, Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma Development Officer and Walk the World 2011 Partner, and Dr. Gigi Hu, Japan America Society Education Coordinator, An Origami Hope Project
Please do not hesitate to contact me if needed. See you Friday at the entrance of the Oklahoma City Memorial Museum,
Carmen Clay
Casady Service-Learning Director
clayc@casady.org; carmenclay@cox.net
Cell: 405-520-1325 Office: 405-749-3103
Confirmed attendance:
1. Carmen Clay, Casady YAC Sponsor, Chase Anderson, youth
2. Annie Powel, Respect Diversity Foundation Administrative Assistant; Caitlin '11, YAC Senior Chair
3. Gigi Hu, JASO, Education Coordinator; Rebecca'11, YAC Senior Chair
4. Jerry Clayman (Friday only), Rose Creek Community Relations; Sasha'12 YAC Junior Chair-Six Billion Paths to Peace.
5. Samantha Anderson, Casady Parent; Shiva'14, YAC Freshman Chair
6.Kendall White(Friday Only), Casady MD Service Coordinator; Reshawn'11, YAC Member
7. Mrs. Lynn Roller, OKC Memorial Museum Education and Research Director; Nicole'12 YAC Junior Chair
8. Tina Roach'13 Casady Student (Will leave at 2:30 for volleyball)
9. Joan Korenblit, CEO Respect Diversity Foundation (after 1:00 p.m.) Possible guest for lunch: Emma Thadani (YAC senior chair, Class 2005),
Thank you for choosing the opportunity to learn about the Oklahoma City Memorial, the Museum and for your willingness to spend time brainstorming the creation of intergenerational kindness projects to celebrate the International Day of Peace, September 21 http://www.internationaldayofpeace.org/ and to remember with HOPE for PEACE, September 11, 2001.
Friday, August 6, we will meet at the Oklahoma City National Memorial located at 620 N. Harvey Ave. Please check the Memorial Museum website for directions and parking instructions. Parking is about $5.00 for the day at nearby parking lots. http://www.oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org/.
Our Invitational begins on Friday with a Memorial tour by Mrs. Kari Watkins, Museum's Executive Director. The group will meet Mrs. Watkins at the front entrance of the museum. The Friday activities at the Museum end at 4:00 p.m.
Friday, August 6 : YAC Invitational Schedule at Memorial Museum
9:00 Outdoor Symbolic Memorial tour with Kari Watkins, Executive Director
9:40 Museum Tour
11:00 Hope Trunk Information and Book Project Example
11:30 First Person program with Amy Petty
12:15 Lunch by Panera with Hayley Thompson, Kelsey Fisher, and Mason UCO Student
1:30 First Person program with Oklahoma City Police Chief Bill Citty
2:30-4:00 Archives Tour and project brainstorming with Archives research time
Friday's Guests: Mrs. Hayley Thompson, Ms. Kelsey Fisher and Mason, UCO student, Mrs. Linn Roller, and Mrs. Kari Watkins.
Casady Service Learning wishes to thank Mrs. Lynn Roller, Memorial Museum Director of Education and Research for facilitating the Friday activities and admission to the museum. Special thanks to Mr. John Kennedy for providing the funding for the two-day retreat and a $25 stipend for each participant to spend at the Oklahoma City Memorial store at the end of the day Friday. Our heartfelt thanks to Mrs. Hayley Thompson, Ms. Kelsey Fisher and her UCO students for sharing their project experience with the Oklahoma Memorial Museum.
On Saturday, the meeting venue changes to Casady School, located at 9500 North Pennsylvania, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73120. The group will meet at Casady's Volunteer Center located at Woods Building. See Campus Map at https://www.casady.org/ftpimages/227/download/download_group5601_id307995.jpg. Park in front of the Gaylord Student Center. There will be signs ushering participants to the Woods Building.
Saturday, August 7 Invitational Schedule, Casady School, Volunteer Center, Woods Building
10:00-12:00 Project planning time
12:00 -1:00 Lunch location TBD by participants
1:00-2:00 Project presentations
2:00-2:30 Respect Diversity Foundation Closing Art Experience
Special thanks to our Saturday's guests for sharing their time and project experiences. Joan Korenblit, Respect Diversity Foundation Executive Director and Pinwheels for Peace Project Partner; Mrs. Zena from Mercy School and member of Respect Diversity; Lisa Perry, Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma Development Officer and Walk the World 2011 Partner, and Dr. Gigi Hu, Japan America Society Education Coordinator, An Origami Hope Project
Please do not hesitate to contact me if needed. See you Friday at the entrance of the Oklahoma City Memorial Museum,
Carmen Clay
Casady Service-Learning Director
clayc@casady.org; carmenclay@cox.net
Cell: 405-520-1325 Office: 405-749-3103
Confirmed attendance:
1. Carmen Clay, Casady YAC Sponsor, Chase Anderson, youth
2. Annie Powel, Respect Diversity Foundation Administrative Assistant; Caitlin '11, YAC Senior Chair
3. Gigi Hu, JASO, Education Coordinator; Rebecca'11, YAC Senior Chair
4. Jerry Clayman (Friday only), Rose Creek Community Relations; Sasha'12 YAC Junior Chair-Six Billion Paths to Peace.
5. Samantha Anderson, Casady Parent; Shiva'14, YAC Freshman Chair
6.Kendall White(Friday Only), Casady MD Service Coordinator; Reshawn'11, YAC Member
7. Mrs. Lynn Roller, OKC Memorial Museum Education and Research Director; Nicole'12 YAC Junior Chair
8. Tina Roach'13 Casady Student (Will leave at 2:30 for volleyball)
9. Joan Korenblit, CEO Respect Diversity Foundation (after 1:00 p.m.) Possible guest for lunch: Emma Thadani (YAC senior chair, Class 2005),
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
A journey of discovery and reconnection
I came to Peru to see elderly relatives and celebrate my 34th anniversary. After my arrival to Chary's welcoming home, Mark and I went to Huancayo where my father's family lives. The trip left us very tired,but glad to have spent a day in Huancayo getting to know relatives. I met my cousins and thier beautiful families. I am amazed at their influence in the future of the city and their social work.
The 24th Mark and I went to see beautiful beaches outside of Lima before before attending Mariana's graduation party from law school. Mariana now has to pass the bar exam and she will finish her studies. On the 25th we spent time with my mother's sister, Carmelita, and my mother's relatives. All have welcoming, beautiful families and homes. We all share a love and respect for our elders. I realized how lucky I was to have been raised with my parents' values. I was glad to see my aunt Carmelita. She is in the loving home of her daughter surrounded by the love of her children and grandchildren.
On the 26th, the eldest living relative of my mother's family took us to eat Chambar,a soup from Trujillo only eaten on Mondays. I felt sleep for hours after eating the hearthy delicious soup. As the meal ended, I realized that my incredible uncle provides peace and harmony to all who crosses his path. That is the secret of his success and longevity.
On July 27,the day before Independence day and through conversations I realize families from everywhere struggle but seeking balance and harmony in relationships provides a ripple effect and helps others try to focus on the same things naturally. Mark cooked and one of my relatives opened his second clothing store. The grand openning was amazing. I am proud of my enterprising newphews. Each has something going. Their house is full of exciting activities and young entrepreneurial men and women who enjoy being with each other. It was nice to seat a table with my uncle and all our family and friends. We do so little of this type of activity in the USA. Here is expected not as an obligation. It is something all enjoy doing. It was a very nice feeling to get together at least three times each day with all the kids before they left for Miami. We saw them at breakfast, lunch and dinner!!!
From the 27 to the 31, I spent times with relatives who made Mark and I feel like royalty. We were surrounded by love and kindness. We ate wonderful food and visited beautiful places. I will add pictures and more details later. Life in OKC is back to its regular pace.
The 24th Mark and I went to see beautiful beaches outside of Lima before before attending Mariana's graduation party from law school. Mariana now has to pass the bar exam and she will finish her studies. On the 25th we spent time with my mother's sister, Carmelita, and my mother's relatives. All have welcoming, beautiful families and homes. We all share a love and respect for our elders. I realized how lucky I was to have been raised with my parents' values. I was glad to see my aunt Carmelita. She is in the loving home of her daughter surrounded by the love of her children and grandchildren.
On the 26th, the eldest living relative of my mother's family took us to eat Chambar,a soup from Trujillo only eaten on Mondays. I felt sleep for hours after eating the hearthy delicious soup. As the meal ended, I realized that my incredible uncle provides peace and harmony to all who crosses his path. That is the secret of his success and longevity.
On July 27,the day before Independence day and through conversations I realize families from everywhere struggle but seeking balance and harmony in relationships provides a ripple effect and helps others try to focus on the same things naturally. Mark cooked and one of my relatives opened his second clothing store. The grand openning was amazing. I am proud of my enterprising newphews. Each has something going. Their house is full of exciting activities and young entrepreneurial men and women who enjoy being with each other. It was nice to seat a table with my uncle and all our family and friends. We do so little of this type of activity in the USA. Here is expected not as an obligation. It is something all enjoy doing. It was a very nice feeling to get together at least three times each day with all the kids before they left for Miami. We saw them at breakfast, lunch and dinner!!!
From the 27 to the 31, I spent times with relatives who made Mark and I feel like royalty. We were surrounded by love and kindness. We ate wonderful food and visited beautiful places. I will add pictures and more details later. Life in OKC is back to its regular pace.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Reconnecting
Thursday, June 24, 2010
JOAN'S PATH TO PEACE RECEIVES AWARD
Joan Korenblit, Executive Director of the Respect Diversity Foundation, receiveD the Embrace Award presented by the YWCA. The Embrace Award is presented to a leader in the community who is dedicated to eliminating racism and empowering women and promoting Peace, Justice, Freedom and dignity for all.
The award was presented at the Purple Sash, an evening of elegance, which is an annual fundraiser for the YWCA’s battered women’s shelter.
The Purple Sash Gala was held at the National Cowboy Western Heritage Museum on Saturday, June 19. Visitors at the Gala had an opportunity to see collaborative artwork created by students who have explored diversity. These works of art are a sampling of artwork from Respect Diversity Symbol Exhibits.
Monday, June 21, 2010
SAVE THE DATE: YAC INVITATIONAL, AUGUST 6-7: CALLED2CHANGE
I attended the Education Summit reflected below at the Oklahoma City Memorial Museum and would like to reproduce parts of it during the YAC Invitational. Youth and adults will learn about the Oklahoma City Memorial, the museum, the museum archives, listen to first voice survivors and family members. Then, the intergenerational group will embark in collaborative kindness projects. The Invitational schedule is forthcoming.
The tentative schedule is: Friday, August 6: 9-6, Saturday, August 7: 10-3 p.m.
The Casady Service-Learning Program has received a grant from the Memorial Museum for up to 30 people to participate, first come,first served. The $10 admission cost to the museum per adult and $8 per student is covered by the grant.
The Invitational fee is $25 per participant. Fee covers the cost of pre-ordered lunch, snacks( candy and fruits), drinks(lemonade and water), and project supplies. If we find donors, the fee will be returned at the end of the Invitational in funds for purchases at the Museum store. Parking available for about $4-6 per day at near by parking lots.
Hope Trunks will be delivered to Casady divisions who have at least one teacher participating in the YAC invitational. Hope Trunks will be delivered on September 1st and will be at the divison for two weeks.
Please let me know if I need to save a spot for you. We seek to have equal number of adults and youth on a first come, first served basis.
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