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| An Eye Opening Experience |
by Human Realtions Associate, Anson Stewart
This is my fourth year of involvement with OC Human Relations and they have undoubtedly been the most eye-opening in my life. I began my experience in the summer of 2001 at a Leigh Steinberg Human Relations Institute. Before this, I did not have the slightest idea what human relations meant--I was only in it to hang out with my friends. After completing this experience, I found that building bridges of understanding and tolerance over floods of hate and prejudice truly appeals to something deep inside me. That's what prompted me to join the Human Relations Associates Program, a year-long internship opportunity in which my fellow youth and I both learned a great deal, and gave back to the community.
As an Associate, my comfort level with human relations topics has multiplied. I have volunteered at multicultural symposiums to raise awareness in my peers. With the help of OC Human Relations, I was able to complete a historical website about the Japanese Internment that won first place in the California State History Day competition. My project this year, about Orange County civil rights heroes in the education, won again. With the encouragement of the Associates Program, I organized a Day of Silence to echo the silence faced by victims of discrimination and harassment last year at my middle school. My high school activities director approved another such project for this year.
Perhaps my best experience with OC Human Relations has been Living Room Dialogues. This was a countywide project enacted after the 9/11 attacks to help foster intercultural understanding within communities. HRAP’s group project last year was to organize youth dialogues, which were highly successful.
I have gained amazing amounts of new understanding from these programs, and more. What is even more astounding is the change I have witnessed in my friends and my family. I have realized that for each person OC Human Relations affects, like me, they in turn help change others. This is a continuous process, which is slowly improving school, life, work, and business for all in Orange County. |
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| Human Relations Associates Program |
The Human Relations Associates Program (HRAP) seeks to create a safe environment for students to attain the skills and knowledge in order to reach out to diverse communities of Orange County as part of a larger human relations and social justice movement.
HRAP is a year long internship designed to provide advanced human relations training toa diverse cross section of Orange County youth. Students meet monthly to discuss human relations issues, learn new activities and develop workshop and community presentations. Associates further the mission of OC Human Relations by serving as youth representatives of the agency at community events as participants, presenters and facilitators.
In addition to monthly meetings, students in the program are invited to facilitate a number of presentations and workshops at local school and conferences. From emceeing in front hundreds of people to small workshops of 20, the Associates reach hundreds youth each year with their messages of respect, understanding and social resonsibility.
Each year approximately 20 students graduate from the program after meeting project and attendance requirements.
For more information about HRAP contact Alison Lehmann at 714.567.7566. |
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