Understand Why We Emphasize Inclusion: See “Bully” In Theaters Now
The recent surge in coverage of bullying has caused a movement. Community Tampa Bay™ works to end bullying by cultivating inclusive leaders who are are motivated to change their community. Bully, released in select theaters on March 30th, is a documentary film that captures the deleterious effects of bullying on students in the U.S. school system. The film follows five students and their families from Georgia, Iowa, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Texas during the 2009-2010 school year. Lee Hirsch’s film mainly focuses on the deaths of two students who both committed suicide as a result of bullying. Bullying has resurfaced as a major problem among young people. Once thought of as just something that kids do, bullying plagues millions of children each year: physically, mentally, emotionally, verbally, and virtually.
In many cases, the kids who don’t fit the criteria for what is defined as “normal”, fall victim to bullies. Victims have described feelings of loneliness, helplessness, exclusion, and depression. Bully shows the feelings and emotions that the subjects of the film experience, and documents a change in attitude toward this issue and the new found awareness of how bullying really affects young people.
Go see “Bully” and join the movement against bullying today.
Visit The Bully Project to learn more about the film.
ANYTOWN™ 2012 Updates: Still Accepting Applications Until All Sessions Are Filled!
ANYTOWN™ Delegate applications are available and ANYTOWN™ volunteer trainings have commenced. We are planning for an exciting summer and your favorite teen can participate!
ANYTOWN™ Delegate applications are due April 30, 2012 or UNTIL ALL SESSIONS ARE FILLED. Complete the full application (application form, consent and releases, medical releases, application fee) and return via email, fax or mail. ANYTOWN™ has three sessions this year with room for 180 amazing teens. You can help us by inviting all high school students, ages 14-18 entering grades 9-12 next year to apply for this wonderful opportunity.
Each opening session runs from Sunday-Thursday on the campus of Eckerd College.
Transportation, meals, and lodging is provided with support from our generous donors and funders.
This year’s ANYTOWN™ session dates are:
June 24-28, July 8-12, or July 22-26.
ANYTOWN™ 2012 Application Here
Join Us At New Creating Change Together Luncheon Location: The Rusty Pelican
The Annual Creating Change Together Luncheon will be held on May 23rd at a new location, The Rusty Pelican in Tampa. The luncheon will begin with registration and networking at 11:30 am. The program will begin promptly at 12:00 pm and will conclude at 1:00 pm.
We’re very excited for you to hear the stories of change from a few of the more than 4,500 graduates of our incredible ANYTOWN™ program! Support from this complimentary fundraising event allows Community Tampa Bay to continue to promote dialogue and cultivate leaders to change communities.
RSVP to this event is required. Please respond to Suzanne Rackl at 727.568.9333 or SRackl@CommunityTampaBay.org so that we can make sure your reservation is complete or with any questions regarding the event. We are so grateful for your part in the work we are doing to create an inclusive community where every individual is treated with dignity and respect.
The Erase Hate Tampa Bay Festival on Saturday April 21st
Erase Hate Tampa Bay, Inc. is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation dedicated to making our community embrace a higher level of acceptance and appreciation for each citizen’s individuality. Through civility, kindness and respect for one another, we can make our community a better place to live, raise a family, build a business, and enjoy a long, secure life. Through our events and programs, we bring leaders in education, faith-based organizations, government agencies, and individuals together to promote an appreciation for diversity and cultural sensitivity.
Erase Hate Tampa Bay, Inc., is dedicated to increasing awareness and helping to eradicate types of moral exclusion that give rise to prejudices that account for abhorrent behaviors within our society. (http://erasehatetampabay.org/about-us/).
Community Tampa Bay™ would also like to give Erase Hate Tampa Bay, Inc. special thanks for sponsoring a number of our youth conferences.
Hillsborough Youth Collaborative Hosts First Youth Advocacy Summit on Racism
Hillsborough Youth Collaborative (HYC) is a youth leadership group dedicated to making sure youth voice is equally heard, expected, and respected. HYC is sponsored by Community Tampa Bay™ and the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County.
In observance of International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discirmination, the Hillsborough Youth Collaborative is hosting its first youth advocacy summit on March 28th from 5:30pm – 7:30pm at the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County. The group hopes to have 100 high school youth in attendance representing all areas of Hillsborough County. RSVP with Nicole Dufva, ndufva@communitytampabay.org or 727.568.9333.
Celebrate International STAND UP to Bullying Day on March 30th
International Stand Up to Bullying Day is for people across the world to take a stand against bullying by pledging to support victims. During this day individuals wear pink shirts in support of a resistance to bullying. These individuals are also identifying themselves as allies to bully victims. The day is designed to shed light on the detrimental effects of bullying while urging all of us to stop being bystanders and take action when we see someone being bullied.
This is a global campaign. Schools and workplaces in 25 countries can register and order pledge shirts. By registering, these individuals are pledging their allegiance to the campaign. With a majority from North America, there are currently 2600 schools and workplaces, totallling to over one million people who are taking a stand against bullying.
Read more about the campaign here!
Participating in International Stand Up to Bullying Day is one way to take a stand against this growing problem affecting many youth today. You can also support the movement against bullying by visting the website for the new movie Bully - premiering on March 30th - and “demand” that they show it in theaters in your city. It will only show in the top 10 cities.
Here is how the Richmond School District showed their support:
HYC’s Youth Radio Show premiered Sunday, March 25th at 11am
HYC Radio’s March show aired on Sunday, March 25th at 11am on WMNF’s Online HD3 station, The Source. This month’s show focused on Women’s History including empowerment, advocacy, and feminism. The show included commentaries, a group dialogue on women’s history, movie and book reviews, music sets and interviews. The show can also be heard on CBHC Radio starting Monday, March 26th.
The FLY United Showcase Youth Summit
Facilitating the Leadership of Youth (F.L.Y.) is a group of teens dedicated to empowering people and creating youth voice to address issues that affect our community. F.L.Y. is sponsored by the Tampa Bay Rays™ and Community Tampa Bay™.
In honor of International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination F.L.Y. is hosted a youth summit, The FLY United Showcase, on Saturday, March 24th from 6pm – 9pm at Tropicana Field. The summit featured art, music, poetry, dance, and other entertainment from local youth. This event was offered to youth 13 and up.
Many youth and families came out to celebrate IDERD, and discover new ways to end racial discrimination!
Program Director, Jessica Estevez Featured in “Characters Unite Award” Video
USA and Brighthouse Networks partner to recognize local “unsung heros”, people addressing hate and discrimination while simultatenously promoting unity and inclusion, with national recognition through the Characters Unite Award.
In 2010, Program Director, Jessica Estevez, was the recipient of a Characters Unite Award for her dedication to Community Tampa Bay’s mission of promoting dialogue and respect among all cultures, religions, and races by cultivating leaders to change communities. Jessica intentionally incorporates the organization’s core values of diversity, inclusion, and engagement in her work making her a true hero. Jessica was featured by Brighthouse Networks in this video (below) showcasing her work and promoting the 2012 Characters Unite Award nomination process.
Visit charactersunite.com for more information and to nominate yourself or someone else for this wonderful honor.
ANYTOWN™ Graduate Negar Sabethematabadi Films “Education Under Fire” – ANYTOWN™ Video
Last month, we announced that ANYTOWN™ Graduate, Negar Sabethematabadi would be filming a video addressing legal efforts prevent Bahai’ students to pursue an education in her home country of Iran. You can find the orginal article here.
This video includes Community Tampa Bay™ staff, volunteers, and 2011 ANYTOWN™ graduates stating, “If education is a crime, then I am guilty as charged.”
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