| Jim Myers, UMC student;
Collette Conati, Campus Ministry Coordinator; and Rebekah Stortroen,
UMC student, pictured with the contents of one of the
"adventure bags," which will present diversity to grade
schoolers.
(click picture for larger image) |
Posted 04/04/2000
Contact: Andrew Svec, 218-281-8380
UMC Group Receives Anti-Racism Grant
Cooperative Campus Ministry, an interdenominational service group at the University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC), recently received a $4,800 grant from the Otto Bremer Foundation to battle racism.
The grant has funded the development of ten story time kits or “adventure bags” that focus on different cultures, religions, and historical periods. The kits include books, videos, musical cassettes and CDs, art and art supplies, dolls, and games—all relating to themes that promote respect for diversity.
Each adventure bag represents one of several themes. Themes include, among others, the American Indian culture, African-American history during the Civil War, women’s history, Hispanic cultures, and the settlement of the Red River Valley from the Scandinavian perspective. A special kit that focuses on good manners, respect, and civility is also being developed.
Collette Conati, Coordinator of UMC’s Cooperative Campus Ministry and author of the grant application, says, “We feel that this is a beginning to teaching the good news of anti-racism and anti-bigotry to children while their personalities are innocent and just beginning to be developed.” While the adventure bags are geared toward children under age twelve, they include many interesting items that appeal to any age level, according to Conati.
In addition to Campus Ministry, many other UMC groups have taken part in the development of the adventure bags. UMC’s Service Learning Office, the Early Childhood Education Department, the International and Multicultural Club, and the America Reads Program, which is based at UMC, all lent a hand in determining the contents of the kits. Volunteers from these groups will also actively participate in promoting their use.
The kits will be available to America Reads volunteers who work at local elementary schools, at library story hours, and at children’s literature classes, and to members of UMC’s Cooperative Campus Ministry group who teach Sunday school classes in Crookston. Later this spring any community groups or day care providers who provide a $25 deposit will be able to check out the adventure bags.
A special promotional kick-off for the kits is set for 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 13, at the Crookston Public Library. Refreshments will be served, and members of UMC’s International and Multicultural Club will dress in their native or traditional ethnic costumes. The public is invited to attend.
For more information about the adventure bags or the kick-off promotion, please contact Colette Conati, UMC Cooperative Campus Minisitry, at 218-281-8516 or Vickie Stortroen, America Reads Coordinator, at 218-2818526.