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YWCA Darien/Norwalk and Other Local Organizations Take a Stand Against Racism on April 29th |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
YWCA Darien/Norwalk and Other Local Organizations Take a Stand Against Racism on April 29th
DARIEN, CT – March 17, 2011 – The YWCA Darien/Norwalk is bringing the YWCA national’s Stand Against Racism to the Darien and Norwalk communities for the 2nd year. This annual initiative is aimed at raising awareness that racism still exists in our communities and it can no longer be ignored and tolerated. The YWCA Darien/Norwalk invites local organizations or groups of individuals to participate, culminating in the national Stand Against Racism on Friday, April 29th, 2011.
The YWCA created the Stand Against Racism to combat the spread of intolerance and to celebrate the richness of diversity. In 2010, this national YWCA program attracted over 2000 partnering organizations in 32 states that became participating sites by hosting local “stands.” Over 250,000 individuals took a Stand Against Racism by attending one of the participating sites on the day of the event and sending a strong message to their communities that racism can no longer be ignored and tolerated. Participants ranged from school-age children to elected officials, executives of large corporations, church leaders and others. In 2011 over 300,000 individuals are expected to participate in YWCA Stand Against Racism.
This year’s local Stand Against Racism events include First Selectman David Campbell reading the Pledge Against Racism at Town Hall in Darien at 11:30am on April 29th. The YWCA Darien/Norwalk will also be distributing a white envelope with an orange ribbon in the April 28th edition of the Darien Times that Darien residents can tie around a tree, mailbox or their front door to celebrate diversity on April 29th.
Many organizations in Darien and Norwalk have signed up to participate in Stand Against Racism, some of which will also be hosting events on April 29th. These participating organizations include A Better Chance in Darien, Darien Chamber of Commerce, Darien Library, Darien Public Schools, Darien YMCA, Family Centers, Liberation Programs Inc., Shop The Gold Coast, The Depot, branches of TD Banks in CT and YWCA Parent Awareness.
“We’re thrilled that so many local organizations, corporations, schools, government agencies, and individuals in Darien and Norwalk have agreed to participate again in the Stand Against Racism on April 29, 2011,” announced Nancy Coughlin, Interim YWCA Executive Director. “We invite any group of any size that believes in a society free of racism to join us.”
Any organization or group of individuals can become a participating site by contacting the YWCA Darien/Norwalk at 203-655-2535 ext. 302 or by signing up through the Stand Against Racism Web site: www.StandAgainstRacism.org. Each participating site can host their own Stand Against Racism event at their own location (which can be private or open to the public). Participation in the Stand Against Racism is free and becoming a participating site is simple. The YWCA provides all the necessary materials and documents including a “How to Run the Event” template that can be customized to meet the organization’s needs. “Stands” that organizations have planned in the past have included movie screenings, book discussions, activities educating children about racism, or larger scale stands like rallies and marches.
Stand Against Racism is a national YWCA initiative with the goal of uniting all individuals as one community regardless of racial and ethnic background. This year over 70 YWCA Associations throughout the United States will collaborate in the Stand Against Racism. For questions or other information about Stand Against Racism, please contact Nancy Coughlin at 203-655-2535 or
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The YWCA Darien/Norwalk is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. Our local vision is to give women the support and tools they need to transform their lives, be confident in their choices and raise healthy families.
The Stand Against Racism is an annual event. Managed by the YWCA Trenton and the YWCA Princeton in New Jersey, it is a collaboration of over 70 YWCA Associations nationwide. The YWCAs in America and around the world have a rich history of advocating for racial justice. Throughout our history, the YWCA has been in the forefront of most major movements in the United States as a pioneer in race relations. We intend to affect real change in the lives of our family, friends, and co-workers through a process that identifies and eradicates the barriers that divide us and that perpetuate racism and other forms of oppression. As individuals learn what has kept us apart, they will develop new ways of working cooperatively by creating new models of shared resources and perspectives.
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