"The exercises used to break the ice [at Challenge Day] made me realize we are not strangers, as we first perceive one another to be. We all share some similarities in life's experiences...We all have feelings, and we all hurt when those feelings are abused, neglected or mis-fed. 'Crossing the Line' was the most powerful exercise of the day. Although I saw us go across the line many times to face those on the other side, I saw one common thread despite the pain: love. With every trial and tribulation for which we crossed the line, I could look back to the other side and see there was love waiting.  So the experiences I went through only made me stronger." --Pam Davis, MI

Be ready and willing to share
Excellent new ways to end peer pressure

Taking the chances to become authentic with ourselves and others
Helping to share our inner most fears and disappointments
Encourage who we really are at a deeper connected level
 
Committing each day a new start
Happy to share, to love and be true
Allowing new processes you have learned to work
Never forgetting how much it can hurt
Going to a new place we have learned
Enriching our wisdom to make these precious new steps

by Teena Ellison
Snohomish County Circle of Change

Challenge Day has been the most significant tool to bring people together in our growing, diverse community. With many refugee and immigrant families relocating to our area, our local agencies and school board decided to use Challenge Day to introduce our whole community to one another. 

Aya, Doaa, and Dwaa (pictured above with a friend), three of the most amazing and kind young women I have ever met, shared what this Challenge Day meant to them. They are my teachers in generosity, respect and strength.

"Challenge Day is a place where everyone comes together with others and we learn to appreciate each as individuals.  Challenge Day does change lives.  At school and in my community, strangers come up and say 'hi.' This is new since Challenge Day.  People see me more as an individual." --Aya, 17, Egyptian-American

"Challenge Day changed my life. After Challenge Day, I get to know someone instead of judging them.  At school people whom I did not know say 'hi' now, and more kids understand why I wear a scarf (hijab).Even non-Muslim students have explained my scarf when someone asks about it." --Doaa, 19, Iraqi-American

"If you really knew me, what Challenge Day means to me is: being able to open up and get out of my comfort zone. I have always been open to talking to people, but since Challenge Day I am more able to encourage others to also step out of their comfort zones and to go to Challenge Days." --Dwaa, 18, Iraqi-American

by Joan Kedell, SilverLining Foundation

My Challenge Day experience began with ordinary curiosity, and developed into something truly extraordinary. I took part in touching hearts in ways I had only begun to hope for in my life's work. 

"If you really knew me..." became a mantra that transported me back to the child within who struggled to fit in, and to the hurt and pain that I thought I'd overcome. As I saw how others' present-day strife and fear was so like my own, my spirit awakened. 

My door of experience opened at a Next Step workshop. Rich and Yvonne were co-pilots who transported all of us through tender emotions hidden by what we do to survive.  I found a trusting home where judgment was replaced by encouragement and belief in my truest self. I knew it was time to move forward with my dreams.

Inspired to Be the Change, I founded the businesses of my dreams: SilverLining Foundation and Cloud Cruise. We take programs for families aboard ships, and create vacations that inspire global responsibility. We strive to welcome each person into our home at sea, just as Yvonne and Rich welcome you into theirs.

In this spirit, Cloud Cruise is offering a special program to support Challenge Day. You can learn more about our fundraiser for Challenge Day on our website. Welcome aboard!

Envision a high school where every student is safe, loved, and celebrated; and where authenticity, connection, and engaged learning are the norms!

That's the philosophy behind West County Community High School, a new charter school in Richmond, California that bases its social and emotional skills program on the principles of Challenge Day.

We're delighted to announce that WCCHS will open its doors on September 4, 2007. The school will serve ninth and tenth graders during its first year.

WCCHS is a community-driven school that emphasizes student-directed learning, social and emotional well-being, and a rigorous and diverse curriculum. The school's goal is to empower students to be motivated, competent, life-long, autonomous students who are honest and engaged community members prepared to pursue all of their life's goals. 

The seeds for WCCHS were first planted after educator Gary Einhorn attended a Next Step to Being the Change workshop in 2004. Gary envisioned "a school where all the kids know themselves and each other and, along with teachers and staff, are eager and excited to attend school every day."

Gary shared his vision with an inspired, dedicated group of parents, teachers, and Challenge Day supporters. Shortly afterwards, they formed Peacekey, a non-profit dedicated to developing charter schools aligned with Challenge Day's principles.

The opening of WCCHS represents years of collaboration, creativity, dedication, and love. Bravo to everyone who helped make this dream a reality!