Yonkers and Mount Vernon Projects Successful

YONKERS CHILDREN'S PEACE ART PROJECT

The UNA Westchester chapter's Yonkers Children's Peace Art Project this year reached 45 classrooms in 18 schools, and more than 1,200 3rd grade students. After a presentation by Chapter members, working in pairs in each classroom, children used crayons and paper to draw their vision of peace. These drawings were then hung at the Yonkers Riverfront Library, the YMCA of Yonkers, 20 South Broadway, and the Grinton I. Will Library. This was a wonderful experience for the Chapter's volunteers, and we think for the children. Volunteers work from a script, but bring many of their own experiences into the discussion. Children and their parents come from many different countries, and many speak languages other than English at home, so they understand quite well the idea of the need for different countries to come together for peace.

Many teachers and principals commented on how much they like this project, which is now in its third year. Again, the School Board offered its support through a letter from the Superintendent of Schools. Karen Rockwell El Badry coordinated the effort for the chapter.

MT. VERNON GLOBAL AWARENESS PROJECT

For the 2nd year, UNA Westchester has worked with Mt. Vernon Schools to offer a Global Awareness Project. This year 9th grade students learned about the United Nations and about the 8 Millennium Development Goals. Recognizing the potential of the initiative for the City’s students, the Verizon Foundation has provided a generous grant of $5,190 to help support and expand this year’s project.

With the guidance of their teachers, Mr. Demetrios Mihailidis and Mr. Sean Capiello, the students wrote essays exploring three MDGs: gender equality, poverty and HIV and disease, and the very important areas of security and access to higher education. They then embarked on a "Day of Diplomacy," beginning with a ceremony at City Hall with Mayor Ernest Davis and with Superintendent of Schools Brenda Smith. They then traveled to Manhattan for an interactive presentation at UNICEF, to the German consulate for a discussion comparing student experiences in Germany and the U.S., and then to the UN for a guided tour.

Mr. John Butler presented the Verizon Foundation’s grant to the United Nations Association Westchester Chapter at the kick-off event for the project at City Hall on May 8. Ms. Charlene Morisseau, Esq., a UNA-USA Westchester Board member and Mount Vernon native who founded the program, says, “The news tells us that adolescents today around the world confront unique challenges. Our students have taken the lead in proposing concrete solutions.” Students’ ideas for U.S. public schools included providing three school meals a day for peers with undernourished families, financial aid programs at the high school level similar to universities, and specialized screening, training and technology for school security guards.

The local community has embraced the students and their mission. Mr. Lowes L. Moore, Executive Director of the Mt. Vernon Boys and Girl’s Club, one of the cosponsoring organizations, says, “This project will expose our young people to issues in the global community and will help improve their future.” Other community cosponsors include the City’s Superintendent of Schools, Youth Bureau, Mt. Vernon Federation of Teachers, Junior Achievement of the Hudson Valley, Inc., and the African-American Men of Westchester, Inc.