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Last Update:
May 3, 2008
©2008
Center for the Healing of Racism
Programs and Services
The Center's offerings now include:
- Eight-week Dialogue:Racism series—held three times yearly
- Summer video series
- Social and cultural events
- Speaker's bureau
- Consultation
- Newsletters
- Resource library
- Video collection
Dialogue:Racism
The hallmark of the Center—Dialogue: Racism—started as a series of public meetings with a small group of persons gathered to share their experiences. From these meetings, study, and research, evolved the unique Dialogue program, with facilitators, core curriculum, and interaction techniques. Dialogue:Racism Core Curriculum
Dialogue:Racism was developed by the Center for the Healing of Racism to promote the sharing of thoughts, feelings, experiences and perspectives among a diverse group of people.
Teams of facilitators from different ethnic heritages create a safe, respectful environment where participants can explore the issues of racism and its repercussions. Information is provided by the facilitators on such topics as defining prejudice and racism, where racism originates, how it is perpetuated, the forms of racism, and positive means for overcoming racism and healing its wounds.
Participants are then encouraged to engage in a special kind of dialogue within guidelines which promote real listening and understanding.
The program is conducted in a nine evening format of two hours each session or in an intensive weekend format of two eight-hour days. Workshops of shorter durations on more limited topics can be arranged to meet the needs of particular groups.
What sets the Center apart from other groups working on the issue of racism is its emphasis on healing. Our service to the community has a strong educational base. We first educate about racism, then facilitate the process by which individuals can begin to counter the effects of racism on their lives and become empowered to interrupt the cycle of racist attitudes. The Center's unstated motto is: “first the awakening, then the healing”.
This non-profit organization has been able to grow in the number of participants at Center activities from 60 in 1989 to 4000 in 1998; to date over 20,000 have participated in Center activities. The Center has serviced over 25 states and provided on-site training to individuals from over 60 countries.
This growth has been made possible by the energy, leadership, and commitment of the directors, co-facilitators, volunteers and board members. The knowledgeable, experienced and innovative co-facilitators are the primary service providers. Within the organization there is an inner strength that thrives on and is sustained by the work of the Center.
Our programs are effective. The effectiveness is evident from the numerous testimonials and referrals from individuals who have participated in the Dialogue: Racism series, from the volume of requests for workshops and speaking engagements, and from the number of support groups spawned by Dialogue. The Center has shared its interaction guidelines with other organizations. This transferal of the Dialogue method helps to increase the Center's impact on the broader community.
Three times a year the nine-week series is offered to the general public free of charge.
Summer Video Series
Two to four times each summer a Video Series of four or five films is shown in different locations. The videos are presented free to the public as a way to introduce participants to the Dialogue process.
Social and Cultural Events
A variety of social and cultural events celebrating the diversity of the human family are organized and promoted by the Center. A major goal of the Center is to establish regular "Unity" celebrations which promote open social interactions on a human level.
Speaker's Bureau
Speakers on the subject of healing racism are available to various classes, organizations, schools and religious groups. Speakers can gear topics to the needs of particular groups and time availability. Often speakers work as part of a team from different heritages. A fee schedule is available upon request to other groups requesting workshops and services.
Consultation
Teams from the Center are available to consult with other institutions, organizations and businesses on difficulties they may be having with regard to racism, understanding diversity and moving beyond cultural conflicts.