|
Letter from Staff
Friends,
While K-12 schools opened here yesterday, we have been at work for weeks, offering teachers professional development and participating in events and classes to help students successfully return to school. We will again be supporting thousands of students and adults in a variety of ways and spaces this year. Our goal is not only to dismantle that school-to-prison pipeline but to seek ways, as Gandhi said, to remove the sword from the hand as well as the sword from our hearts--that's the deeper work we seek to model and teach to people of all ages. Many of us walk with swords in our hearts: anger, impatience, hatred. It's in the media every day, normalizing painful, destructive words and actions. Join us to create some beautiful trouble for that perspective via "love in action": King's phrase for nonviolence. For learning and community, consider attending the annual series I teach on nonviolent communication next month, or the next four-day retreat in February. Consider volunteering, individually or as a group. We host hundreds of people each month at the Gandhi House and need lots of help to keep it beautiful. The choices we make plant seeds for us, and for those who come after us. Come visit the beautiful, abundant gardens here during our annual Gandhi birthday party on October 2 to see what I mean! In peace and hope, Kit
for the Gandhi Institute
|
|
Conversations on Race & Poverty
Various Locations (see below)
6pm - 8pm
|
| |
Art by John Davis
Free, facilitated whole-group and small-group conversations about race, awareness or racial identity, segregation in our individual lives, racial privilege and the connection of race to poverty. Each two-hour conversation is unique and everyone participates.
9/13 Conversations on Race : Charlotte Branch Library
9/20 Conversations on Race with Poverty : Charlotte Branch Library
9/21 Conversations on Race : Phillis Wheatley Community Library
Facilitated by Kit Miller
9/28 Conversations on Race with Poverty : Phillis Wheatley Community Library
Facilitated by Kit Miller
For October dates, check out our calenda r here . |
|
|
Gandhi's Birthday Celebration &
Open House
Sunday, October 2
2 PM-5 PM
Join us for music, dancing, games, and cupcakes to celebrate Gandhi's birthday and another year at the Institute! Family-friendly, all are welcome. This is a great time to introduce people to the Gandhi Institute. Please come and bring friends.
If you would like to volunteer, please contact meghan@gandhiinstitute.org .
|
|
Staff Changes
Welcome
We would like to extend a warm welcome to our new Gandhi staff: Tyler Barley, Cammy Enaharo, and Christina Mortellaro. Tyler and Cammy are new members of our restorative school team: Tyler is at Monroe High School and Cammy is at Wilson High School. Christina is the Institute's new AmeriCorps VISTA.
A Fond Farewell
Shannon Richmond, the Institute's Associate Director, will be transitioning out of the Gandhi Institute after six years of devoted service. Shannon has facilitated countless Institute programs, including Joanna Macy workshops and the Gandhi Service Fellows. Besides being a leader, Shannon is trained in Nonviolent Communication, Kingian Nonviolence, Peace Circles, Community Conferencing, Restorative Circles, and the Work That Reconnects. She has always been a positive source of energy who inspires her colleagues to learn and grow. We wish her the best, always.
|
|
Back-To-School Wish List
Gandhi Institute staff and volunteers work together with the Rochester City School district to serve our youth by giving them the tools to prosper. We greatly appreciate your donations which support our work.
We are especially in need of school supplies & classroom supplies:
|
School Supplies:
- Tape
- Rulers
- Pens & pencils
- Whiteboard markers
- Pencil cases
- Lined paper
- Coloring supplies/art supplies/colored pencils
- Coloring books (esp. meditation or mindfulness-focused)
- Board games
- Medium Voss waterbottles (used to make mindfulness glitter jars)
- Stress relievers (stress balls, games, etc.)
Classroom Supplies:
- Circular rug (10 or 11 ft. diameter)
- Plants
- Watering spout for plants
- Hand sanitizer
- Couch cleaner/ Febreeze
- Broom & dustpan
- Paper towels
- Disinfectant wipes
- Floor (2) & table lamps (1)
- Space heaters (4)
- Hand vacuum
- Yellow Christmas lights
- Wicker baskets (small & medium)
- Organizing bins
- Mini fridge
- Deodorant
- Tampons & pads
|
Learn more about our Gandhi & Nonviolence cards and order a deck of your own here.
|
|
|
Upcoming Events
September
9/1-9/30 Round Up at the Register Abundance Co-Op
9/13-9/28 Conversations on Race & Poverty (see schedule below)
October
10/2 Open House
10/5-11/2 Nonviolent Communication Series
10/15 Let's Talk About Hate
|
|
Abundance Food Co-Op
This month we are privileged to be
Abundance Food Co-Op's Round Up at the Register featured nonprofit! During September, round up your change to the nearest dollar to help the Institute serve individuals and communities to develop the inner resources and practical skill needed to achieve a nonviolent, sustainable, and just world.
Check out Abundance Food Co-Op's mission, sustainability initiatives, recipes, and more here! |
5-Week Nonviolent Communication Series
Wednesdays
10/5/16-11/2/16
7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Gandhi Institute
Join Gandhi Institute Director Kit Miller for 5 weeks of exploring the philosophy of nonviolence in our thoughts, speech, and action using the lens of Nonviolent Communication. Through discussion, exercises, games, and role play, participants will learn the basics of this process which is taught and used as a means for communication and conflict resolution around the world.
The course is offered on a donation-based sliding scale: $150-300. No one is turned away for lack of funds. Please contact us if you'd like to set up a work scholarship. Space for the series is limited.
To register, contact christina@gandhiinstitute.org
| |
|
|
August in Review:
Most people can relate to trying to make the most of the end of summer. At the Institute, it was a whirlwind of transitions and events. Each day held a new adventure for staff and the people we serve--and so we are honoring these joyous gifts.
 SYFI Youth & Staff at the Seneca Art & Culture Center at Ganondagan
During August, Gandhi staff and SYFI youth visited the Seneca Art & Culture Center at Ganondagan where we learned more about Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) contributions to past and present society. The youth loved learning about the Haudenosaunee's creation story and interacting with exhibits including a Seneca Bark Longhouse.
Balance activity at the Summer Nonviolence Intensive
Co-led by Gandhi staff and SYFI youth, our 3-day Summer Nonviolence Intensive successfully explored theoretical and practical approaches to nonviolence. The diverse group allowed us to learn from each other, whether the individuals were local Rochesterians, out-of-state visitors from Minnesota and Hawaii, or even friends from Japan! Additionally, we would like to thank the Rochester Friends Society for being gracious hosts.
 BIODANCE performing In addition to a fabulous dance party hosted by DJ Alykhan, the Institute had the privilege of hosting BIODANCE. We are grateful for BIODANCE's thought-provoking, culturally-aware performances and their thoughtful Q & A.
Susana Rose singing at the benefit concert
On August 21, we hosted a garden benefit concert featuring local musical artists including Susanna Rose, Aaron DeRuyter, Jon Lewis, Carlos Sanchez, and The Dwayne Johnsons. We would like to thank all of the musicians who donated their time and talents to make the concert a success.
|
| |
Wilson Day: A Collaboration with University of Rochester
On August 29th, the Institute celebrated its 4th Wilson Day--a day of service for incoming first years at the University of Rochester. Our volunteers helped mulch and weed our gardens. Thank you to the volunteers for devoting your day to our home to making it hospitable for all beings.
|
|
