A Passion for Justice

Contact Person: Ryki Pearce, Coordinator
Contact Number: (203) 498-6845

Abstract:

"A Passion for Justice: Making a Difference” is an interdistrict collaborative grant for middle school students that is funded by the Connecticut State Department of Education with appropriations from the Connecticut State Legislature. In this program, A Passion for Justice: Making a Difference, nine school districts work together on a cultural/historical/leadership-oriented project dealing with the individual confrontation of prejudice. Collaboration among Young Audiences of Connecticut (YAC), the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and ACES has resulted in the presentation of an original play, A Passion for Justice: The Prudence Crandall Story.

Purpose:

To engage middle school students in discussions and activities that help them clarify their own beliefs and attitudes about themselves, social differences and diversity.

Goals / Objectives:

• To increase student academic achievement and to reduce racial, ethnic and economic isolation.
• To expand the issue of diversity beyond race…to such issues as gender, class, sexual orientation, religion, age, physical and mental ability etc.
• To inspire our students to believe that they truly can make a difference and to encourage them to take a stand.

Schedule of Program Events

October 8, 2009, 8:45 AM-1:00 PM, 205 Skiff Street, Hamden
October 13, 2009, 8:45 AM-12:00 PM, 55 Audubon Street, New Haven
October 28, 2009, 8:45 AM-1:00 PM, 205 Skiff Street, Hamden
December 9, 2009, 8:45 AM-1:00 PM, 205 Skiff Street, Hamden
December 14, 2009, 8:45 AM-12:00 PM, 55 Audubon Street, New Haven
December 22, 2009, 8:45 AM-1:00 PM, 205 Skiff Street, Hamden

Participating Districts/Schools: CAMS-ACES, Ansonia Middle School-Ansonia, Francis Walsh Intermediate-Branford, Dodd Middle School-Cheshire, Joseph Melillo Middle School-East Haven, Hamden Middle School-Hamden, John C. Daniels-New Haven, Dag Hammarskjold Middle School-Wallingford, Wallace Middle School-Waterbury