Hallmark Programs: Racial Justice Institute and Women’s Programs
YWCAs of Trenton and Princeton collaborate to form
Racial Justice Institute
PACF funding enables organizations to address community/workplace injustices
In a unique collaboration, the YWCAs of Princeton and Trenton have united to speak as one voice to address critical social justice issues throughout Mercer County. Board and staff members of both organizations met last week at the home of Trenton board member Kelly Ingram to announce the formation of a “Racial Justice Institute.”
The YWCA’s Racial Justice Institute will provide training programs to assist organizations, corporations, community groups, and governing leaders in dismantling racially unjust issues— unacknowledged or unconscious—hidden within their structures.
As individuals learn what has kept them apart, they will be able to create new models of shared resources and perspectives, and begin to develop new ways of working cooperatively.
Funding from a Princeton Area Community Foundation grant awarded to both organizations is making this project possible. “This is the type of collaboration we like to see in our community,” stated Nancy W. Kieling, President and Executive Director of the Princeton Area Community Foundation. “Both YWCAs working together are poised to make a tremendous impact in our community and PACF is happy provide the initial funding.”
“This is not new territory for the YWCA,” noted Princeton CEO Judith Hutton. “We have a rich history of advocating for racial harmony, dating all the way back to the founding of the organization in the mid-1850s. It’s very exciting and meaningful to partner with Trenton to launch this project.”
“Our shared vision is to create authentic multicultural communities—that honor and support the breadth of human diversity that exists in Mercer County,” said Trenton CEO Jose A. Hernandez. “We will facilitate a process that identifies and eradicates the barriers that divide us and that perpetuate racism and other forms of oppression.”
In the first phase of the project, the YWCAs’ boards and staff will be trained in integrating anti-racism and pro-diversity principles in all activities, so they are fully capable of leading by example. Training will be given by Sandy Ewell of the Common Ground Institute.
The second phase is to develop “Let’s Talk” workshops on racism, sexism, ableism, and all other areas of oppression; and to incorporate existing YWCA programs such as “The Day of Commitment to Eliminate Racism” and “Week Without Violence” into the project.
The final phase is execution of the workshops in the community, including all municipalities in Mercer County. To maximize impact, the YWCAs hope to offer their programs repeatedly.
For more information or to find out how you can get involved, please call Racial Justice Institute Project Coordinator Caroline Mitchell at the YWCA Princeton, 609-497-2100, ext. 335, or at the YWCA of Trenton, 609-396-8291, ext. 16.
Read about it from The Fourth Estate newspaper. - click here