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AnyTown Teaching Leadership, Diversity

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By YVETTE C. HAMMETT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 31, 2008

BRANDON - Stereotypes are out there, whether they target particular races, cultures or economic classes. And teens don't always know what is true and what isn't.

The subject matter isn't easy to discuss in an open forum.

But, said Jennifer Montero, program specialist for Community Tampa Bay, without correcting comments that perpetuate harmful stereotypes, they continue to flourish.

The nonprofit group is on a mission to free communities of all forms of discrimination.
AnyTown is an offshoot program aimed at teaching young people leadership skills and ways they can promote unity in their schools and communities. Each year, AnyTown hosts a five-day resident camp during which high school students from Hillsborough and Pinellas counties participate in diversity workshops covering everything from racism to stereotyping and tolerance.
AnyTown is recruiting high school students ready to step up. The deadline to sign up for the first camp is June 2. The one for Hillsborough County will be held at the Day Spring Episcopal Center in Ellington June 15-19. The second camp for Hillsborough students runs Aug. 3-7 at the same location. The deadline to register for that camp is July 2. Transportation will be provided to and from both camps.

Students will participate in a variety of diversity workshops.

"We promote dialogue and respect between all cultures, religions and races," Montero said. "We do that through education, advocacy and conflict mediation."

Leena Hasbini of Riverview said AnyTown gave her insight into the experiences of the people around her.

"One time, a bunch of us were having a group discussion, and some of the kids were talking about how they didn't have food in the pantry and didn't know where they'd get their next meal," the 18-year-old college freshman said.

"That made me realize how fortunate I was," said Hasbini, a Newsome High School graduate. "I went in to AnyTown with a lot of knowledge and came out with a lot more."

Chelsea Andrews of Valrico said AnyTown enabled her to communicate better with others about why they should avoid discriminatory comments.

"In my speech class, I've done several speeches on diversity and racism," said Andrews, 17, who attends Grace Christian School. "People think it's funny to play around and make comments about race or culture, but it's not. I try to get that across."
AnyTown is an all-inclusive program but requires applications so organizers can create diverse groups from various communities throughout the county, Montero said. Leaders and loafers, tech geeks and troublemakers are all welcome.

Participants will have opportunities to ask any questions about race, religion and economic or social status in a safe environment, Montero said.

There are three phases of learning in the program: understanding participants' own cultural backgrounds' looking at someone else's and getting to know them and creating an action plan to take back to their own communities.

"They need to know what they are going to do with the information they've received," Montero said.

For example, one student held a "Mix It Up Day" at his school, challenging students to get to know students from other races and cultures - people they had never met.

In addition to operating the camp, AnyTown is affiliated with Hillsborough Youth Collaborative, known as HYC, which meets several times a year for community activities. Graduates of AnyTown also get together for reunions several times each year.

In Brandon, AnyTown and HYC members work closely with the Family Support & Resource Center on Kingsway Road to get young adults interested in programs for their communities. The resource center is funded through the Children's Board of Hillsborough County.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

To apply for the AnyTown camps, go to www.communitytampa bay.org and click on Youth Program and AnyTown. A copy of the application is available there.

The cost for the program - $800 per student - is picked up by several agencies, including the School District of Hillsborough County. The $25 application fee can be waived based on need.

For information, call Jennifer Montero, program specialist for Community Tampa Bay, at (727) 568-9333.

Reporter Yvette C. Hammett can be reached at (813) 657-4532 or yhammett@tampatrib.com.

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