Tuesday, July 16, 2013

ICS Teen of the Year, Jessica Greene

Junior YAC Chair, Jessica Greene was selected ICS volunteer of the year.  Jessica  received her award at the ICS annual Volunteer Appreciation Banquet on July 26, 2013. 

The Infant Crisis Center recently named Casady School rising junior Jessica Green as the organization’s “Teen of the Year."

The award is given to a teen between the ages of 13-19 who has given a significant contribution of time and effort to Infant Crisis Services and its mission. Jessica has served in various capacities with ICS. She has volunteered in the Summer Teen Program for two years, rocking babies in the playroom and assisting with stocking formula and diapers.

“Jessica Green is such an amazing young lady. She leads by example,” said Beth Lykins, ICS Volunteer Programs Director.  “I am so proud of this young lady and her leadership. This is a young woman to watch. I expect to see great things from her.”

Jessica has also served on the Teen Board as treasurer and chair for the donations committee. She kept the donations on track and organized for the Teen Board of 36 members, who all had to secure at least six auction items each.  She is also a mentor to new members of the Teen Board, and she single handedly secured more than $8,000 in sponsorships and thousands of dollars in goods that were auctioned off at the Teen Associate Board charity auction and dinner, which yielded more than $75,000 this year and will ultimately feed and diaper needy babies in her community.


Infant Crisis Services Teen Volunteer Award:
Award Recipient: Jessica Greene  Speech by Beth Lykins, ICS, Director of Volunteer Programs
Jessica Green is such an amazing young lady. She has volunteered in the Summer Teen Program at infant Crisis Services for two years rocking babies in the playroom and assisting in the HUB stocking formula and diapers. She has also served two years on the Teen Board. She is a fearless leader and committed to Infant Crisis Services. She is unafraid of responsibility and took her job as the Treasurer and Chair for the donations committee  very seriously. She kept the donations from our teen board of 36 members, who all had to secure at least 6 auction items a piece, on track and organized. She especially made my job easier by her work ethic and commitment and follow through with her responsibilities on the Teen Board. Jessica also is a mentor to new members of the teen board so they feel connected when they are invited to join our board. She has single handedly secured more than $8,000 in sponsorships and thousands of dollars in goods to be auctioned off at the Teen Associate Board charity auction and dinner which yielded more than $75,000 this year that will ultimately feed and diaper needy babies in her community. She leads by example. I am so proud of this young lady and her leadership. This is a young woman to watch. I expect to see great things from her! Excellent Work Jessica!   


Casady Service-Learning and the Casady YAC are very proud of Jessica's leadership in service to needy OKC toddlers and infants .

Saturday, July 13, 2013

International Day of Peace at Casady and OCU, Count Down Begins!!!!

Casady Service-Learning in collaboration with Casady Summer By the Lake and Boys and Girls Club started to reflect on the meaning of peace by making pinwheels for peace.   Students were introduced to some slides of the PEACE STONE SOUP PROJECT: 12 Days for Peace in September.  The initiative's goal is to enhance compassion, kindness, peace and balance in our daily words and actions.   https://docs.google.com/a/casady.org/presentation/d/1V87gQE-hlF1Rk1iiC7MYmuo6n0PJRN1e9LAlM3-NiIA/present#slide=id.gf14f596c_010


JULY, Pinwheels for Peace Project

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International Day of Peace at Casady and OCU SAVE THE DATE 9/20/2013

The International Day of Peace will be celebrated at Casady the morning of 9/20/2013 when pinwheels made at various divisions and community service-learning program partner organizations will be planted around campus. Upper Division YAC teens will contact division heads to create a school wide celebration of the day with the pinwheels as a visible symbol of commitment to compassion, kindness, and peace.

At 3:30 PM, on 9/20/2013,  Cyclones will transport the pinwheels  to Oklahoma City University to be part of a giant pinwheel display welcoming participants to a peace drum circle at OCU's Bishop Angie Smith Chapel; the beginning of a multicultural event to be held at the Watson Lounge from 4-6 PM. The event will be hosted by the creator of  PAST (Prevent and Stop Tormenting)http://www.preventandstoptormenting.org/ , former Miss OSU, Aly Akers and Steve McLinn of Ojas Music http://www.ojasmusic.com/. After the festival ends, at 6:00 PM, OCU's cafeteria will be providing an all you can eat dinner for the discounted price of $5.00. OCU's School of Religion,  Respect Diversity Foundation, Casady Service-Learning Program, Ojas Music, and United Nations Association of Greater Oklahoma are the sponsoring organizations of the IDP OKC 2013 Festival.

International Day of Peace Interfaith Service Day, SAVE THE DATE 9/21/2013
On Saturday, 9/21/2013, the actual global date for International Day of Peace, Casady YAC in collaboration with Casady Youth LEAD OKC and Mercy School will sponsor an interfaith service day at a place chosen by the student organizers in collaboration with the City of Moore Tornado Relief, Mr. Jayme Shelton, jshelton@cityof moore.com;405-550-6514, the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, the Sacred Family Home and/or other organizations of the students' choice.

For families with younger children wanting to volunteer together on this special day, the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma is taking reservations for their work day on 9/21/2013 Afternoon shift 1-4 PM.  The morning shift is already full.  The capacity in the afternoon on 8/21/2013 was of up to 60 participants.  Children as young as 8 years old can volunteer accompanied by an adult. Make your reservationat.  http://www.regionalfoodbank.org/cervis.php?a=event.   For more information, visit our Frequently Asked Questions, or contact Denice Hurlbut at volunteer@regionalfoodbank.org or (405)600-3160.  

Youth Interfaith Tour SAVE THE DATE, 9/22/2013
On Sunday, 9/22/2013, Sidney Jones, Casady YAC Junior Chair and Casady Youth LEAD OKC founder, will lead the reflective component of the Oklahoma Conference of Churches Interfaith Youth Tour to bring to full circle the theme of Unity of the Casady Peace Stone Soup Project: 12 Days for Peace Initiative.

Ideas to have your personal IDP Celebration



What is the International Day of Peace? From Wikipedia, Peace One Day, Shinnyo-en Foundation

June 13, 2013 began the 100 days count down to the International Day of Peace (IDP), observed annually on 21 September.   IDP is dedicated to peace, and specifically the absence of war and violence, such as might be occasioned by a temporary ceasefire in a combat zone for humanitarian aid access.


1981-1982

In 1981, The United Nations General Assembly declared, in a resolution sponsored by the United Kingdom and Costa Rica,[2] the International Day of Peace, to be devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace.[3] The date initially chosen was the regular opening day of the annual sessions of the General Assembly, the third Tuesday of September. This was changed in 2001 to the current annual celebration on 21 September each year. The day was first celebrated in 1982.

To inaugurate the day, the "Peace Bell" is rung at UN Headquarters (in New York City). The bell is cast from coins donated by children from all continents except Africa, and was a gift from the United Nations Association of Japan, as "a reminder of the human cost of war"; the inscription on its side reads, "Long live absolute world peace".[1]

Individuals can also wear White Peace Doves to commemorate the International Day of Peace, which are badges in the shape of a dove produced by a non-profit organization in Canada


2001
In 2001 the opening day of the General Assembly was scheduled for 11 September, and Secretary General Kofi Annan drafted a message recognizing the observance of International Peace Day on 11 September.[5] That year the day was changed from the third Tuesday to specifically the twenty-first day of September, to take effect in 2002. A new resolution was passed by the General Assembly,[2] sponsored by the United Kingdom (giving credit to Peace One Day) and Costa Rica (the original sponsors of the day), to give the International Day of Peace a fixed calendar date, 21 September, and declare it also as a day of global ceasefire and non-violence

2011

In 2011, Peace One Day announced at their O2 Arena concert, a new international campaign called Global Truce 2012, a grassroots initiative and international coalition with non-governmental organizations and student unions in every continent, which increased participation and action on Peace Day 2012, the day of Global Truce. Particular focus in this campaign including a cessation of hostilities on the day, is the reduction of domestic violence and bullying in society. The Peace One Day Celebration concert on Peace Day in 2012 was held at Wembley Arena to celebrate Global Truce 2012.[15] The Global Truce campaign continues aiming to involve more partners and coalitions for mass participation and life-saving practical action on Peace Day. 
Excerpts from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Day_of_Peace

Casady Middle Division, Peace Day 2011


2012 From PEACE ONE DAY Global Truce: http://peaceoneday.org/2012-campaign/




Casady Lower Division 2012
Peace One Day Global Truce Campaign called for a reduction of domestic violence.

Through detailed analysis conducted with the support of McKinsey & Company, the Peace One Day 2012 report found that, across the world, 280 million people in 198 countries were aware of Peace Day 2012 – 4% of the world’s population. The report further estimates that approximately 2% of those people (5.6 million) behaved more peacefully as a result. Peace One Day expects to double those figures for 2013, creating a solid foundation for informing 3 billion people about Peace Day by 2016.

The achievements of Peace One Day’s work in 2012 have not only set an important marker for Peace Day 2013 and future Peace Days, but have also reinforced the value of this unique annual day as a foundation for long-term sustainable peace.
Peace Day 2012 Summary Report
 


 
Peace Day 2012 @ Oklahoma City
Contributed by Joan Korenblit, Respect Diversity Foundation and Carmen Clay, Casady School to Shinnyo-en Foundation Website
 
On September 21, 2012, International Day of Peace, students throughout Oklahoma City participated in a variety of activities that culminated at the annual Oklahoma City University Multicultural Festival and a1,000 Pinwheels for Peace Garden sponsored by a diverse group of Oklahoma artists, educators, the Respect Diversity Foundation, and the Friends of the United Nations of Greater Oklahoma.
 
 
Students from Dove Academy at Oklahoma City University learned from activities facilitated by festival chairs, Mikel Ibarra, Joan Korenblit, and Japan America Society education coordinator Dr. Gigi Hu. After viewing and reflecting a short trailer on “Peace One Day” and “On a Paper Crane, Tomoko’s Adventure,” students made origami cranes for peace and wrote Haiku poetry. Before planting pinwheels made at their school, they walked through a peace labyrinth, learning about the importance of quiet meditation from Labyrinths in Oklahoma writer Gail Peck.
 
5pm on 9/21/2012, a dozen co-sponsoring organizations and a large drumming circle welcomed hundreds of participants to the Multicultural Festival. Participants in Shinnyo-en Foundation’s Six Billion Paths to Peace T-shirts enjoyed artists from a variety of ethnic traditions.

The grand finale was a dance of peace with audience participation. Said author Michael Allen, “This festival and the many activities during the eleven days of unity, 9/11-9/21, happened because people of diverse cultures worked together and decided that we CAN make this a more peaceful world.”
 
From creating pinwheels for peace encouraging a global truce on violence, to participating in service-learning projects, thousands of Oklahoma students were immersed in dialog and action of a shared sustainable culture of peace, economic justice, and environmental stewardship from 9/11-9/21!
 
Oklahoma Centennial High School observed the shift from “I” to “WE” with curricular connections. “It was challenging and rewarding to collaborate with core teachers and administrators. My students created peace key chains, because they are the key to change, a “new green” cleaning product, and are currently finalizing their service-learning project reflection on how to make a real difference and impact the world in which they live” said Career and Technology instructor, Carrie Renfro.
Kindergarteners at Mercy School enjoyed a diversity story-teller and discussed what they learned. “We’re all different, just like the crayons in the story, and we’re all important!” exclaimed five year old Mohamed.

At Piedmont Middle School and Western Oaks Elementary School, students learned about the impact of choosing a path of kindness over bullying. Piedmont Art teacher Frances Williams explained, “From their discussion, it was obvious that this unit had a great impact on our students!” “This conversation is making an important difference; it will continue,” stated Western Oaks art teacher Staci Craven.
 
Click here to see the slide show of Oklahoma’s peace activities.
 
From K-12th grade, Casady students pledged their commitment to SEE PEACE in acts of kindness, service, and non-violence.

Older students also viewed the video by Jeremy Gilley, PEACE ONE DAY before pinwheel making. Carmen Clay, Service-Learning Director, stated, “Students realized that this day is working because it is saving lives and creating a desire for intentionally kinder communities and a self-patrolling non-violent way of life.” Anne Josette Hill, Casady freshman, commented, “I personally befriended a former rival over a pile of half finished pinwheels.”  Primary Division Director, Mrs. Jane Sharp stated, “Dr. Montessori said, ” “Averting war is the work of politicians; establishing peace is the work of education.” ” Every day our teachers are involved with this important work of peace by showing grace and courtesy to each other and to the children so that they may then show peace to others. We will be celebrating this important date every year with our youngest students here at Casady.” 

2013


http://peaceoneday.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Peace-One-Day.jpg

Who Will You Make Peace With?

Peace Day 21 September 2013
Following the incredible success of the Global Truce 2012 campaign, Peace One Day has launched a new theme for 2013: Who Will You Make Peace With?

Peace starts with individual action, and your actions inspire others to do the same. Peace Day 21 September 2013 is a Saturday; it really is an opportunity for all of us to become engaged in the peace process with our families, friends and communities.

By working together and making peace with each other we can improve the quality of our lives. Peace Day is not just about a reduction of violence in areas of conflict, it's also about reducing violence in our homes, communities and schools.

So who will you make peace with? Who will you bring together on Peace Day 21st of September 2013?

Here's what you can do:
1. Raise awareness of Peace Day
2. Take action on Saturday, 21 September 2013
For ideas and resources to help raise awareness of Peace Day and getting involved in the campaign visit the Take Action page.
TAKE ACTION
 

Casady Lower Division, Peace Day 2009
The Casady Service-Learning Program, the Casady YAC and Casady Youth LEADERS share a common goal stated by the Casady Primary Division in 2012: Global Peace Begins in the classroom.  


The Casady Service-Learning Program will promote screenings of the Peace One Day film.  Provide resources for pinwheels for peace to be created at all divisions and to be planted around campus and at OCU's Giant Pinwheels for  Peace Garden on 9/20,  (Goal for Casady 1,000 reflective pinwheels: Inner and Global Peace).  Boys and Girls Club, Casady Summer By the Lake and Youth LEAD OKC made 200 pinwheels in the month of July.



Casady Lower Division Peace Day 2011

Peace Stone Soup Project: 12 Days for Peace @ Casady School Service-Learning Office: Volunteers Needed

"Creating Space and Time that brings out the talents of a diverse community to focus on something even better that can feed us all" Acts of Faith by Eboo Patel, page 68



http://stonesoup.com/archive/art1/mideast1/mideast4lg.jpg

Adults and youth IDP organizers needed.  Contact Carmen Clay at clayc@casady.org; 405-520-1325.  Organizing meeting for IDP @ OKC Festival 2013 is at the Casady Wing, Monday, August 5th at 4:30 PM-6:30 PM.  http://www.casady.org/document.doc?id=115.  Enter through the Britton Entrance, park at the Chapel Parking Lot.  The Casady Wing/Service-Learning and Student Center are east of the Casady chapel.

Friday, July 12, 2013

Acts of Faith Discussion Groups

Eboo Patel
From Oklahoma City University, Distinguished Speakers Series

The Distinguished Speakers Series at Oklahoma City University was established to enrich the academic experience of students, faculty, and staff--and to create a Chautauqua experience that is free and open to the public. Nobel Laureates have joined a remarkable lineup of world-class thinkers, writers, and opinion-leaders who know that OCU is where ideas are freely expressed, and learning is a continuous process of being challenged and inspired.

In a time when civil discourse is increasingly rare, and students are too often encouraged to support only those thinkers they already agree with, OCU fulfills one of the central purposes of a university by hosting provocative speakers from a wide variety of backgrounds, and multiple perspectives. This generates new thinking, productive discussions, and the rare opportunity for future servant leaders to meet some of the most remarkable human beings alive today. Lectures are free and open to the public and are well attended by people across the state


Eboo Patel, 2013

Eboo Patel will be visiting Oklahoma on Wednesday, October 23rd, 2013 as part of OCU's Distinguished Speakers Series.  Below please find details about the event as well as a study guide for those interested in joining the book study groups going on across the state! 

Click here for the Eboo Patel Book Buying Guide
Click here for the Eboo Patel Study Guide
Click here for the Eboo Patel Report Page

Eboo Patel
Please see subsequent pages for more information:

Sacred Ground: There is no better time to stand up for your values than when they are under attack

Wednesday, October 23, 2013
7:30 p.m.
Location: TBA

Named by US News & World Report as one of America’s Best Leaders of 2009, Eboo Patel is the founder and president of Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC), a Chicago-based organization building the interfaith movement on college campuses.  Author of the book Acts of Faith: The Story of an American Muslim, the Struggle for the Soul of a Generation, which won the Louisville Grawemeyer Award in Religion, and his latest book Sacred Ground: Pluralism, Prejudice, and the Promise of America, Eboo is also a regular contributor to the Washington Post, USA Today, Huffington Post, NPR, and CNN.

Eboo served on President Obama’s inaugural Advisory Council of the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships and holds a doctorate in the sociology of religion from Oxford University, where he studied on a Rhodes scholarship.

He serves on the Religious Advisory Committee of the Council on Foreign Relations, the board of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, the National Committee of the Aga Khan Foundation USA, and the Department of Homeland Security’s Faith-based Advisory Council.

He has spoken at the TED Conference, the Clinton Global Initiative, the Nobel Peace Prize Forum and universities around the world.  Eboo is a Young Global Leader in the World Economic Forum and an Ashoka Fellow, part of a select group of social entrepreneurs whose ideas are changing the world. He was named by Islamica Magazine as one of ten young Muslim visionaries shaping Islam in America and was chosen by Harvard’s Kennedy School Review as one of five future policy leaders to watch.

Both Eboo and IFYC were honored with the Roosevelt Institute’s Freedom of Worship Medal in 2009, and Eboo was recently awarded the Guru Nanak Interfaith Prize, an award given to an individual to enhance awareness of the crucial role of religious dialogue in the pursuit of peace.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m.  -  Free and open to the public
Seating limited. For more information, call 405.208-4956

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News from Michelle Nunn, CEO of Points of Light Foundation

At 1:30 p.m. on Monday, President and Mrs. Obama will host President George H. W. Bush and Mrs. Bush at a special White House ceremony to honor the 5,000th person to receive the Daily Point of Light Award, which recognizes those who embrace the challenge of tackling a community need through volunteer service.

President George H. W. Bush
and President Barack Obama
This is exciting for so many reasons.

First, the event in the East Room is a wonderful way to honor President Bush and his life of service and to celebrate a milestone in the life of an award he created 24 years ago.

Second, it's always a great day in Washington when people come together across the aisle to unite in service.

Third, the ceremony will showcase how essential volunteers are to American greatness. At a time when American confidence in our institutions is low and when a dispiriting cynicism too often pervades our news and discourse, the Daily Point of Light Award is an antidote. It reminds us that people care and that hope is the story of America.

Finally, the event will celebrate you and all the people who give of themselves to spark change and improve the world.

I hope you'll join the fun and inspiration on Monday. You can:
  • Watch the event live at www.whitehouse.gov/live at 1:30 ET.
  • Nominate someone you know for a Daily Point of Light Award at www.pointsoflight.org/dailypointoflight.
  • Tweet about someone who has made an impact on your life or community, using the#mypointoflight hashtag. (For example, #MyPointofLight is Julie Smith, my 10th grade English teacher, who worked to encourage literacy in our community.)

The next 5,000 Daily Point of Light Award winners will reflect President Bush's belief "in ordinary people who reach beyond themselves to touch the lives of those in need, bringing hope and opportunity, care and friendship. By giving so generously of themselves, these remarkable individuals show us not only what is best in our heritage, but what all of us are called to become.

I hope you will be among them! 
 In service,
Michelle Nunn
CEO, Points of Light

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