Anytown Alabama Leadership Institute

                          "Statistics that meant nothing to me took form in my new friends." Anytown Delegate

NCCJ Anytown Alabama is a weeklong residential leadership institute where teenagers live and interact with their diverse peers.  They examine class, gender, race, religion and other differences that could have previously divided them.  After seeing that friendships can be forged, they begin to envision what an inclusive 21^st Century will look like and return to their every day lives, ready to make that vision a reality.

 Who

• Students who are entering into grades 10 through 12 are eligible to apply.
• Youth in the southern region of the state should apply to that corresponding institute.
• Approximately 70 students attend each camp.  See below about applications.

When

• Anytown Alabama:  June 1-7, 2008  Birmingham, Alabama
• Anytown Alabama Southern Region:  June 15-20, 2008  Mobile, Alabama

The Application Process

There are a variety of ways to get an application.

• Contact our office at (205) 322-4100.
• E-mail lwashing@nccj.org and give us your name and mailing address.
• Mail in the Anytown brochure's interest form.
• Talk to your school.  They should have received an Anytown application packet.

Important Deadlines and Dates

• Anytown Alabama:  April 21, 2008  Birmingham, Alabama
• Anytown Alabama Southern Region:  April 28, 2008  Mobile, Alabama

Life After Anytown

With the support of new friends and skills, these leaders take their learning back to their families, schools and communities as they begin what can be a life-long journey of seeking justice and respect -- for themselves and for others.  They recognize that there are tangible ways to make a difference…that their actions do impact others...that their voice can be heard.  They believe in change and they make it happen.

The Anytown Leadership Team is a group of Anytown graduates (Anybuddies) who meet monthly to plan educational, service and social activities for all the graduates.  In additional, Anybuddies volunteer for NCCJ programs and community events.  As they enter the workplace, they continue to impact.

The Anytown network reaches much further than the 70 graduates of that year’s institute.  Currently, there are over 800 graduates who attended in Alabama as well as the thousands across the country who attended in their respective states.  Become a part of the Anytown experience.  Become a part of change.

NCCJ Heritage Panel Program

 “This program changed the culture of our school.”  An Alabama high school principal

This program trains middle and high school students to talk with their peers about social justice issues in order to combat bullying and to build inclusive schools.  After two days of NCCJ training, students and educators present Heritage Panels about prejudice, stereotypes and the actions needed to overcome them.  In one year, NCCJ Alabama trained over 300 trained students and educators, who in turn reached over 7,000 people!

Yet these panels reach much further than the classroom.  Some school panels have presented to corporations, City Councils, PTA’s, organizations, and even an MSNBC event!  If your school is interested in this program, or if your organization would like to host an NCCJ Heritage Panel, call us at (205) 322-4100 or e-mail lwashing@nccj.org

Make A Change Leadership Institute

Each January, around the celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday, NCCJ hosts this day-long program for students and educators from across the state to build skills in recognizing diversity, combating prejudice and promoting respect.

What makes this program particularly unique?  It is the only statewide student-led diversity conference of its kind in Alabama!  While educators receive training and support from NCCJ staff, youth attend workshops that are facilitated by trained alumni of NCCJ Youth Programs.  At NCCJ, we’re about empowering leaders and Make A Change provides an opportunity for these alumni to use their skills and training with peers from all over Alabama.  By day’s end, participants increase their network of support in their efforts to build inclusive schools.

NCCJ held its fifteenth annual Birmingham institute this past January, while Mobile held its second Make A Change.  We're growing and we look forward to working with more educators and students in making Alabama a better place.

To receive information about the 2008 Make A Change in either Birmingham or Mobile, call us (205) 322-4100 or e-mail our office at lwashing@nccj.org.