Pictured: A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE® Institute Facilitators address high school summer workers
As part of ADL’s continued work with the City of Carson, ADL’s A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE® Institute facilitated five Becoming an Ally workshops for over 250 high school students and recent graduates participating in the City of Carson’s Summer Youth Worker programs. Many of these students work in Carson’s summer day camps, so empowering them to prevent and stop bullying is crucial to creating safe spaces for the next generation. These young leaders will also return to their high schools in the fall with new leadership skills.
During the interactive workshops on July 9 and 22, the participants explored the harms of bullying, including physical, verbal, psychological and cyberbullying. They learned about the roles that exist in bias and bullying incidents—“target,” “aggressor,” “bystander,” and “ally”—by reflecting on their own experiences from each of the four positions. Participants also gained skills needed for bullying intervention. They learned that there are always several options how to be an ally such as supporting the targeted student, seeking adult assistance and, if safe, confronting the aggressor in the situation with effective communication. During the workshop, the youth workers acted out scenarios and were practiced performing realistic solutions.
To schedule a similar program for your school or organization, contact A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE® Institute Project Director Dave Reynolds at dreynolds@adl.org or (310) 446-4234.