In April of 2010, Community Tampa Bay™ program staff and volunteers hosted a Unity Day at John Hopkins Middle School in St. Petersburg, FL.  The school was going through a tumultous time with many student brawls occurring in March of the same year.  100 students had been arrested by the time this Unity Day was orchestrated. The school had put many new policies into place, but felt that in order to make a change,  a culture change was needed within the student body.

Community Tampa Bay™ was asked to lead a Unity Conference to help the students take the necessary steps needed toward making a change.  Program Director Jessica Estevez said, “One of our goals today, during Unity Conference is [for youth] to know someone new, learn about issues at school and how to do something about it.”

The students wanted the change just as badly as the faculty and staff. They felt that the Unity Day was very important. The students and faculty showed their committment to becoming united by lining up on the school field and forming the word Unity!

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