FebruaryNewsletter2011

8/7/2019 FebruaryNewsletter2011

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M O N T H L Y N E W S L E T T E R

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The wave of the future is not the conquestof the world by a single dogmatic creedbut the liberation of the diverse energiesof free nations and free men.

- John F. Kennedy

F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 1

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B O N N E R E -N E W S L E T T E R

he month of February marks atime for people around the

country to reect on the struggle, theght and the accomplishments of AfricanAmerican people and the rising of theblack culture in this country and around

the world. It is a time for us to celebratethe diversity that makes up our livesranging from ethnicity to gender. Mostimportantly, it is the time for us to reectand continue to ght for social equalityfor all people as we move forward to amore just world. As a Bonner, it is oursocial responsibility to serve others andto ght for justice in our communities.We must continue to push the envelope

and create a culture of equality in orderto progress as a common community.Through our service work and civicengagement, we can get the job done.

In this edition of the newsletter, you willnd great reections from your fellow

Bonners on topics surrounding Black History Month, Local to Global issuesand some great events that Bonners aredoing in the network around socialjustice and diversity.

Take Action

Big Idea Check-InThis month, the Bonner Advisory Board willbe checking in with Congress Reps on the Big

Idea projects at each school. If you have anycool updates or you need assistance, share thiswith your BAB member. For more resourceson the Big Idea, click here .

Reections/Community Partner Proles p. 2 -3

Improving Community PartnershipsA series of reections from staff journalists(and BAB members) Chaz Barracks andShanell Ranson

Service and Events p.4Social Justice and Diversity Check out what other schools are doing ontheir campus around social justice anddiversity.

Alumni Proles p. 5-6

Bonner AlumniTake a glimpse at our alumni for the month!See what they have been doing since beingBonners and how the program has impactedtheir lives.

Resources p. 7

International and Diversity ResourcesTake a look at some great resources onInternational service and diversity and socialjustice training that you can use for yourcampus and Bonner program.

F e b r u a r y, a m o n t h o f r e f l e c t i o n a n d a c t i o n

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T hi s mo nt h sH o t T o p i c s

Michael RichardsonProgram AssociateBonner Foundation
http://bonnernetwork.pbworks.com/w/page/13111815/Big-Idea-Resource-Centerhttp://bonnernetwork.pbworks.com/w/page/13111815/Big-Idea-Resource-Centerhttp://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/johnfkennedyhttp://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/johnfkennedy


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Community Partner ProleBy Maverick Marquardt, Stetson University

hroughout the realmof communityengagement exists a widemargin of large and small-scale activism. StetsonUniversity in DelandFlorida is fortunate enoughto have both. Two engagingprofessors Dr. Anne Hallumand Dr. Robert Sitler sharea unique passion for

empowering the Latin-Hispanic communities both near and far, micro and macro. Dr. Sitler works hand in hand with the Bonnerprogram, operating La Plaza Comunitaria, a program designed to help migrate workers of near by Pierson.Pierson, which is home to a dense population of migrate workers, has for a long time received help througheducation and youth empowerment from the Stetson family. Daily trips to this rural area are lled withheartfelt playtime with the youngsters while their parents learn English. This small-scale project has made alarge-scale impact on the Pierson community, allowing for more opportunities for the Hispanic Americansworking there. The empowerment through language resonates within this small community, allowing forbetter living conditions and brighter futures for the up and coming generations.

Dr. Anne Hallum, founder of AIR, with a small team has in a large way created change in the country of

Guatemala. AIR stands for, Alliance for International Reforestation and for almost 20 years has helped makea difference in 110 rural villages plant more than 3.8 million trees throughout Guatemala. Rooted deeperthan the newly planted trees, Hallums impact has sparked change throughout the social and culturalcommunity by not only preventing deadly mudslides, but also by raising standards of living, education andfarming far and wide. "When we started, it was all about ghting poverty," Hallum said. "We wanted to helpfamilies farm better and feed their children better. But we started to notice that in the areas where (pine)trees were planted, the mudslides were no longer occurring. So that brought a new focus for us. Food,shade, fertilizer and mudslide protection -- the treescan do it all.". A select few from Stetsons own makethe journey to Guatemala every year to continuethe ght for a better standard of living for the

Hispanic population living in this region. Dr. Hallumrecently received the CNN Heroes Award for heractivism in South America. To learn more about thisproject visit http://www.air-guatemala.org.

Projects, both big and small, make a tremendousimpact on the individuals involved. This effect on alife can make a momentous change if nurturedproperly; no matter how large or small that effectmay be.

Discover the Large Within the Small

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http://www.air-guatemala.org/http://www.air-guatemala.org/http://www.air-guatemala.org/


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Unsolved Community Issues SectionBy Chaz Barracks, University of Richmond

The Art of Black History within SocialJustice

Interpretation is a movement, sprit, and diverse expression that lead many of our thought processes asproductive citizens. As students we interpret material in the classroom into real life experience and careergoals. As Bonners, we interpret a community need into an action, in which we commit to for duration of ourcollege career. Social Justice is all about interpreting need into movement. What motivates us as individuals togo out and serve for change is the key recourse to lasting community change.

Black History has been interpreted throughout the years as a motivation to uplift communities around theworld. Through the arts especially, Blacks history has remained powerful in its impact on the community farbeyond its designated month of February. This month is just a highlight for the many interpretations of Black History and its variety of contributions to social justice. Students, especially Bonners, are motivated everydayto serve because of the struggles and accomplishments to social justice that Black leaders left in their legacy.The unsolved community issue at hand is how do wepreserve Black History in our service to the community,far beyond February.

Bonner Student Katherine Blanchard identies herservice connected to the arts within Black History,stating, the art in Black History are a testament to thestrength of the human spirit that inspires her to servicedespite any barriers.

Kiara Lee, a Bonner student and published writerdescribe Black art within social justice as producing high

energy and inspiration that stays with me all yeararound. She goes on to say that the art in Black historydisplays perseverance and illustrates motivation from those who have taught her to jump over the many hurdlesin order to actively serve in the community. Although there is no precise method of integrating black art intosocial justice, it has proven to be an effective tool through performance, writing, and images representing theindividuals who lead our communities. It has also opened the eyes of those with racist vision in spite of injustice, discrimination, and oppression. Whether through song, a photo found, and a poem read, or an imageviewed, art within social justice will continue to serve as a mechanism to improving the unsolved the communityissues we face.

A modern example of this movement lives in organizations like Drums Not Guns, started in Dallas, Texas who

has utilized the power of percussion and performance art to combat street violence. With tributeperformances to African American leaders, this non-prot gives children the opportunity to channel energythrough performance rather then through gang involvement, and other sinister activities. Art can be used tostop violence, and increase the peaceand as showcased throughout communities, it can touch someone to feelthe rhythm within social justice and nd the motivation that leads to life changing community empowerment.

Whether through ending violence with the musical sounds or painting a mural at your service site-this Februarynd a way to utilize the Arts to display how community issues impact your life. Art celebrates the social justicemovement that has swept through our communities and paved the way for advocates such as the AfricanAmerican artists and social activists who helped create the foundation of social justice that we strive to

romote.


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As Bonners we are called to help stop the social injustice inthis world. Although we are in a modern society, there are

many social injustices happening around us. There is also a lack of the spread and acceptance of diverse cultures. Bonners,however, are participating in events to learn and tackle theissue of injustice and lack of acceptance of diverse cultures.

Tammy Hsu from Rutgers University shares on what herschool is doing to combat social injustice. The Bonner Scholarsat her school will hold an experience called Bonner week!During this week events will be held at their campus to spreadthe word about what is going on in their community. Advocacyis a very important part of expanding the knowledge base of

our peers in relation to issues and the diverse culturessurrounding them.

At the be ginning of the spr ing semester students typically fantasize about their next break. As some of usare combating the snow a nd cold we wish to go someplac e warm for spring break to just relax. But manystudents are considering an alternative spring break that includes working at a MDA Camp. MDA, MuscularDystrophy Association, will hold a week long program during the week of spring break. The children atthese camps face adversity every day because they are not able to do everything that children without thisdisability can do. With over 80 of these camps allaround the country, serving thousands of children whosuffer from Muscular Dystrophy, this week long

program helps children to escape the grips of realityand be the same as everyone else. Many camps are stilllooking for volunteers to help serve over spring break,so instead of doing nothing at home or relaxing on abeach, why not spend a week tackling diversity to makethese kids feel like a million bucks. More informationcan be found at http://www.mdausa.org/clinics/camp/

Mauro CantatoreMiddlesex County

College

Social Justice and Diversity Events by Mauro Cantatore, Middlesex County College

"Just the experiencewith theother campers haschanged my life and has given me

life-long friends."
http://www.mdausa.org/clinics/camp/http://www.mdausa.org/clinics/camp/http://www.mdausa.org/clinics/camp/http://www.mdausa.org/clinics/camp/http://www.mdausa.org/clinics/camp/http://www.mdausa.org/clinics/camp/


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Unsolved Community Issues SectionBy Chaz Barracks, University of Richmond

What is one of your bestBonner memories?Bonner enhanced my life in so manypositive ways and continues to today.One of my best memories was the timeI directed a play that brought awarenessto rape and sexual assault issues. Thetroupe of 10 actors toured localschools and engaged students onmultiple levels. Our impact was clear;the audiences' responses wereemotional, reective, and sincere. Theexperience stretched my denitions of activism and community service. Thecommunity's positive reaction to thepiece showed me how difcult issuescould be tackled with imagination andcreativity. I also learned how employingmy own unique talents and passions can produce more meaningful results, not only for myself but also forthe community at large.

What kind of work have you been involved with since leaving college?After college, I did more community theatre and I joined the United States Peace Corps as a healthvolunteer in Niger. In Niger, I worked on community garden projects, radio programs for healtheducation, and worked as a teaching assistant for handicapped children. After the Peace Corps I wasdelighted to spend two summers as the Program Director for a summer day camp where I completed myBonner service in college. I also served for 3 years as the branch president of my local NAACP chapter.Today, I continue to stay involved in the community by sharing my Peace Corps experience and getting toknow the African immigrant community in my city. I currently work in the eld of international educationat my alma mater, DePauw University.

How has the Bonner Program impacted your life?It has made me realize the importance and power of community. I learned that an individuals positivecontributions, no mater how small can have innite consequences.

What is one piece of advice that you would leave for current Bonner Scholars?Own your experience. Bring all your passions and unique ideas to everything you do. If what you love andbelieve in does not exist, create it. Be a visionary. Do not ask yourself what the world needs but ask yourself what makes you come alive, because what the world needs are people who have come alive --Howard Thurman

If you had one word to describe Bonner, what would it be?Purposeful.

Alumni Highlight: Rajai BimboDePauw Universit y Class of 2004


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What is one of your best Bonner memories?One of my best Bonner memories was during my senior year when we visited

schools with Bonner Programs to make a new Common Commitments video.Two other Oberlin senior interns and I took a road trip, visiting fourteencolleges and the Bonner Foundation to interview students, administrators, andservice partners about the value of the Common Commitments and what theymean to each individual. The trip was eight days long! We took lm footagethe whole way, and we created a compendium of videos (which you can ndon the Bonner channel on YouTube). We were able to meet so many Bonnersat these schools; hearing these stories about what Bonner and communityservice meant to them was very enriching. Bonners from all the schoolsaccepted us with open arms, and I really felt the whole Bonner Love thing too.This trip really made me reect on my experience as a Bonner and changed my outlook on what the Bonner

Program really stands for and means. It was a great experience and a trip that I will never forget.

What kind of work have you been involved with since leaving college?I am currently serving as a full-time Bonner AmeriCorps member for the Rutgers Future Scholars Program inNew Brunswick, NJ. Since my graduation from Oberlin College in May of 2010, I have continued my work inthe non-prot sector as a grant writer for the Patrick Kelley Youth Foundation in Las Vegas, NV and now as anAmeriCorps member serving in New Jersey, addressing college access issues. I am looking to gain as muchexperience as I can before I go back to school in the hopes of attaining an M.B.A. in non-prot management ina few years from now. My ultimate goal is to run my own non-prot organization focused on youthdevelopment and education.

How has the Bonner Program impacted your life?The Bonner Program was a great experience for me as I went through college. It shaped my perspective onhow I view the world and what my role is as a citizen. By gaining knowledge of the social injustices that occuracross the world and serving as a Bonner Scholar, I realized that I have a true passion for service and that I canalways contribute back to the community. Bonner has helped shaped my career interests as well as provide mewith the necessary experience of working in the non-prot sector serving various organizations andprograms. The people that I have met through the Bonner Program have also been some of the most uniqueindividuals that I have ever met and I have built strong relationships with many of them. In all, Bonner was agreat experience and life changing in many ways.

Where/how do you see the Bonners impacting the future?Bonner Alumni can be very useful for current Bonners by sharing their stories and experiences with them andtaking on mentor type roles for local Bonners. Bonners are very diverse in so many ways and this collectivenetwork of different experiences is very unique in comparison to what other programs and organizations haveto offer. As educated individuals, Bonner Alumni have academic backgrounds and service experiences that canreally help current Bonners prepare for life after college.I would like the opportunity to network and connect with other alumni living in my region. I also think it wouldbe great to have Alumni speak as panelists at Bonner events like Summer Leadership Institute and to reach outto alumni near Bonner schools to meet and speak with students about their experiences as a Bonner and lifeafter college. Establishing communication within the network is important; lets do it!

Alumni Highlight: Jerome GoingsOberlin College Class of 2010


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Need some ideas for integrating awareness about diversityissues within your program? You can nd several training

sessions that addr ess race, class, gender, and homophobia.These can be easily modied for a Bonner Meeting orreection session. Check out some of what we have to offeron our wiki below ( click the sessions below to access links):

Resources: International

Introduction to Diversity

Gender 101: Building Gender Awareness

Gender 201: Deepening Gender Awareness

Homophobia: Recognizing and Addressing It

Racism: Deconstructing It

Four Corners: Building Appreciation for Diverse Ideas and Dialogue

Resources: Diversity

http://bonnernetwork.pbworks.com/Service-Abroad-Handbook

SeriesStudent Handbook how to plan and prepare for your international service

Administrator s Guide tips and tools for Bonner administrators

Guide for International Service Partners introducing the Bonnerprogram to a potential site - features a CLA workbook!

International Part ner Directory a searchable database of internationalorganizations that Bonners have served with in the past
http://www.bonner.org/resources/modules/modules_pdf/BonCurFourCorners.pdfhttp://www.bonner.org/resources/modules/modules_pdf/BonCurHomophobia.pdfhttp://www.bonner.org/resources/modules/modules_pdf/BonCurRacism.pdfhttp://www.bonner.org/resources/modules/modules_pdf/BonCurHomophobia.pdfhttp://www.bonner.org/resources/modules/modules_pdf/BonCurHomophobia.pdfhttp://www.bonner.org/resources/modules/modules_pdf/BonCurHomophobia.pdfhttp://www.bonner.org/resources/modules/modules_pdf/BonCurHomophobia.pdfhttp://bonnernetwork.pbworks.com/Service-Abroad-Handbookhttp://bonnernetwork.pbworks.com/Service-Abroad-Handbookhttp://www.bonner.org/resources/modules/modules_pdf/BonCurFourCorners.pdfhttp://www.bonner.org/resources/modules/modules_pdf/BonCurFourCorners.pdfhttp://www.bonner.org/resources/modules/modules_pdf/BonCurRacism.pdfhttp://www.bonner.org/resources/modules/modules_pdf/BonCurRacism.pdfhttp://www.bonner.org/resources/modules/modules_pdf/BonCurHomophobia.pdfhttp://www.bonner.org/resources/modules/modules_pdf/BonCurHomophobia.pdfhttp://www.bonner.org/resources/modules/modules_pdf/BonCurGender2Deepening.pdfhttp://www.bonner.org/resources/modules/modules_pdf/BonCurGender2Deepening.pdfhttp://www.bonner.org/resources/modules/modules_pdf/BonCurGender1Awareness.pdfhttp://www.bonner.org/resources/modules/modules_pdf/BonCurGender1Awareness.pdfhttp://www.bonner.org/resources/modules/modules_pdf/UnionCollNewTrainings/IntroductiontoDiversity/1diversityoutline.pdfhttp://www.bonner.org/resources/modules/modules_pdf/UnionCollNewTrainings/IntroductiontoDiversity/1diversityoutline.pdf

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