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M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence
September Newsletter
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929 South Plymouth Avenue
Rochester, New York 14608
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Letter from the Staff
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September 2015
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Dear friends,
Like many of you, school starts today for us, as we swing into a daily rhythm at four Rochester schools, supporting middle school and high school students to learn and use tools related to nonviolence and restorative practices. Three of these four schools are on New York State's list for schools that may be closed, so the stakes feel high and our efforts feel critical to helping students feel grounded and able to focus on being scholars.
Our colleague Hoody Miller will focus his efforts in the neighborhood for now, to respond to the need and distress that at times feels palpable on the heels of the shooting two weeks ago on Genesee St. Malik Thompson and new Gandhi staff member Evan Burnett will be at Joseph C Wilson High, working with staff and students there to create a more calm and productive school climate that was needed even before the deaths across the street.
Gandhi House continues busy, hosting returning groups of college students and other groups. Many schools and community groups are reaching out to set up events and trainings this fall.
If you are drawn to help our small and busy team, invite people to our October 4 Open House. Join our volunteer list that among other things helps to care for the house and gardens. Help us sell Gandhi card decks (see below) which draw great reviews from users of all ages.
This comes with love from everyone here, Kit Miller For the Gandhi Institute
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A Night of Active Hope
Sharing Music, Poetry, Dance and Art
Saturday, September 12th
929 Plymouth Ave. S.
7:00-9:30 pm
An open-mic sharing of music, poetry, dance, and art! We'll be sharing along the themes of Gratitude, Honoring our Pain for the World, Seeing with New Eyes, and Going Forth, which is taken from the Work that Reconnects and author Joanna Macy. No talent is required; original compositions as well as sharing of others' work is welcome! If you are not sure which theme your piece corresponds with, we can help you when you come to sign up to share.
If you'd like to sign up to share something, please arrive at 7 pm and check in with Shannon for a time slot. A piano is available; no amplification provided.
Light refreshments, including popcorn, served.
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Film Screening: "The Economics of Happiness"
Join us at the Gandhi House for a screening and discussion of "The Economics of Happiness," a film about the movement to re-localize economies and build a more peaceful, sustainable future. There will be a potluck beforehand, so feel free to bring a dish to pass!
Tuesday, September 15th
Potluck (Optional): 6:00-6:30
Screening and Talk Back: 6:30-8:30
929 Plymouth Avenue South, Rochester 14608
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A Conversation on Race
A Process of Discovery
Sunday, September 20th
Rochester Zen Center
7 Arnold Park
4-6 PM
Join community members for an open facilitated conversation on race and its impact on all of us.
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2015 Open House & Gandhi Birthday Party
Come by the Gandhi House to celebrate Gandhi's birthday and learn more about the Institute. There will be Bhangra performances, dancing, magic, an art table, cupcakes from Small World Bakery, guest speakers, and more! Help us make this year's event another beautiful community celebration!
Sunday, October 4, 2015, 1-4 pm
929 Plymouth Avenue South, Rochester 14608
Please email our volunteer coordinator Malik if you are interested: malik.gandhiinstitute@gmail.com
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Work Parties
Join us every other Thursday from 4-6 pm to help keep our house a clean and welcoming space for all.
Upcoming Work Parties:
Thurs. September 10th
Thurs. September 24th
Thurs. October 8th
Thurs. October 22nd
All work parties are followed by a potluck!
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Upcoming Dialogues on Race with Poverty
Join community members for whole-group and small-group discussions on the connection of race to poverty.
Parma Public Library, 7 West Avenue, Hilton, 392-8350
Thursday, October 15, 6 - 8pm
Arnett Branch Library, 310 Arnett Boulevard, Rochester, 428-8214
Tuesday, October 20, 5 - 7pm
Fairport Public Library, 1 Fairport Village Landing, Fairport, 223-9091
Wednesday, November 18, 6 -8pm
Winton Branch Library, 611 Winton Road North, Rochester, 428-8204
Monday, November 23, 6 - 8pm
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School Programming
The Institute is excited to be partnering with four different schools this year to bring social and restorative justice programming to RCSD students.
At NW College Prep and Enrico Fermi (School #17) Gandhi staff will be teaching daily social justice classes to 90 middle school students. Topics will include understanding shared power, transforming power, race and racism, civil rights history, understanding personal and structural violence, nonviolence through the arts, meditation, mindfulness, gratitude, and nonviolent communication.
At Monroe and Wilson Schools, Gandhi staff will implement school-wide restorative practices and provide conflict resolution support to over 2,000 students.
Good luck to all students returning to school! 
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New Staff
The Gandhi Institute welcomed three new staff members to the house this August. Evan Burnett is a nonviolence educator who will be working on restorative programs at Wilson High School, Veronica Howard is our new Business Manager, and Meghan Kearns is a Rochester Youth Year fellow working on capacity building.
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Peace in the Garden
The Gandhi Institute recently hosted students from School #19 to spend time in the garden learning about plants and enjoying the outdoors.
  
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Volunteer Spotlight
Each week, Jill Gussow, Veronica Holmes and Elaine Cummings gather in the Gandhi House conference room to sew donations of Indian fabric into beautiful pillow shams, napkins, place mats, hot pads, and handbags. Jill is a retired art professor who took the lead on turning the fabric into a creative project. "I came to Kit after Ferguson," she remembers, "feeling like I should be out in the community more." Veronica joined her shortly after: "I was at an event for the Institute, and asked Kit about volunteering. She said, 'What are you doing Monday, and can you sew?'" Veronica enjoys spending time in the Gandhi House because she is able to meet new people and learn firsthand how the Institute operates.
The handmade fabric items will be available for purchase at our Open House on Sunday, October 4th.
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Seedfolk Mural
Seedfolk, our partner urban agriculture and youth employment organization that teaches in and helps maintain our garden, installed this beautiful mural for a recent celebration of its summer program. It reads, "They tried to bury us, but they didn't know we were seeds."
Artists: Seedfolk Mural Crew, Sarah Rutherford, Mr. P, Brittany Williams, Angela Ausen
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Gandhi Decks!
We've got decks for sale here and are now shipping them all over the country! The decks make a great birthday gift or gift for any occasion.
All proceeds benefit the Gandhi Institute. Help us to sustain the Institute and inspire people about Gandhi by buying a deck! Click here!
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Summer Internship Reflection
Here's a reflection from summer intern and recent RIT graduate Kayla, who left us to teach in Spain!
"I couldn't imagine a better way to kick start my life after graduating from school. The Gandhi Institute cultivates an atmosphere of peace and empathy and enriches the community surrounding it. During my short time as an intern, I learned some crucial life skills. Such as, check for slugs before pulling the weed, what a currant looks like and how to teach nonviolence to energetic 5 and 6-year-olds who also just learned what a currant looks like. I may be an ocean away now, but these lessons are what will shape my future. Thank you Gandhi Institute for a solid foundation."
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Wishlist
We're always in need of certain supplies around here and would appreciate your willingness to support us with any of these items by bringing them by the Gandhi house.
- White Plastic Outside Chairs
- Annual plant/flower bulbs for the garden
- Toilet Paper
- Copy Paper
- Paper Shredder
- Tea and honey
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Facebook
For more articles, pictures, and upcoming events, be sure to like the M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence on Facebook here.
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