From our Executive Director:As the days grow shorter and autumn turns to winter, we can also feel a chill in human hearts. Our society seems to be increasingly fragmented and polarized, reminding us of the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." Let us arise then, and do our part to spread the light of unity. Let us move beyond people-made barriers, commit ourselves to positive action, and take comfort in the promise of the coming spring. - Randie Gottlieb
Two New Diversity Workshops
Join us in 2020 for our new 1-day workshops in Yakima, WA!
Workshop #1
Diversity & Inclusion
Thursday, Feb. 27, 8:30-3:30 pm
* Dimensions of diversity * Common stereotypes in society today * Prejudice: causes, consequences, cures * Unconscious bias, institutional racism * Diversity exercises and equity tools * Creating a culture of inclusion * Resources and activities you can use
Fee: $150 or only $75 for the first
25 people to register. Clock hours: 6
Workshop #2 Culture & Communication
Thursday, March 26, 8:30-3:30 pm
* Introduction to culture * Sharing of cultural objects
* Mainstream and marginalized students
* Communication exercises
* Culture and language
* Culturally responsive teaching
* Resources and activities you can use
Fee: $150 or only $75 for the first
25 people to register. Clock hours: 6
We are grateful to United Way of Central Washington and the Rabbani
Charitable Trust for providing scholarship funds for these two events.
What a Year This Has Been!
We had a great summer afternoon in the park during Yakima County's kickoff celebration of National Night Out! Pictured are UnityWorks booth staffers Patricia Ritchie, Randie Gottlieb and Heather Hudson, with McGruff the Crime Dog---courtesy of the Yakima Police Dept. The booth also featured a "Unity in Diversity" coloring activity for children.
In October, UnityWorks was invited to give a talk on "Celebrating Diversity" and to share an overview of our work with K-12 educators and interested community members in Pullman, WA. The activity was organized by the Baha'i communities of Pullman, Colfax, and Moscow, Idaho.
Over 200 people attended our TEDx talk at the Yakima Valley Museum in March. The presentation focused on the elimination of racial prejudice and recognition of the oneness of humankind. Participants were challenged to widen the circle of who we call us. The photo is from our PowerPoint presentation. Click on the TEDx link to watch, like, comment and share.
UnityWorks presented an interactive training on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Solarity Credit Union's entire leadership team at their corporate headquarters this Spring. We applaud Solarity's commitment to continuous improvement in these essential areas.
UnityWorks offered the keynote at Yakima Zonta Club's annual luncheon held in honor of scholarship recipient, Gabriela Sanchez, being introduced here by Zonta President, Joddi-Jay Babcock. The June event also marked Zonta International’s 100-year anniversary of working to empower women worldwide.
Following our UnityWorks training for teachers in August, students at Hoover Elementary School created personal posters, which they then shared with their classes. This activity was used to help create a welcoming and inclusive community at the start of the school year.
The Yakima Library organized a well-attended discussion on "Race & Racism" with panelists David Morales, NW Justice Project attorney and Vice Chair of the WA State Commission on Hispanic Affairs; Dr. Randie Gottlieb of UnityWorks; and Dr. Rodrigo F. Renteria-Valencia, Assist. Prof. of Cultural Anthropology at Central Washington University.
UnityWorks was invited to give a keynote presentation on our School Program for the Yakima Downtown Rotary in April with over 150 people in attendance. Out of 33,000 Rotary Clubs, the Downtown Rotary is the 31st largest in the entire world!
Our Executive Director, Dr. Randie Gottlieb, was recognized by the Yakima YWCA as part of their "52 Women, 52 Weeks" social media campaign for 2019.
The YWCA's mission is to Eliminate Racism and Empower Women. We are grateful and humbled by this recognition for our work.
In September, we were invited to give a two-hour overview of UnityWorks for the Dean and faculty at the California State University School of Education in
Northridge, CA. CSUN is the largest provider of professional development for the Los Angeles Unified School District.
The site team from the Mt. Adams School District on the Yakama Nation Reservation poses for a photo during our 2019 Summer Institute. Participants engaged in a wide variety of learning activities including role plays, group discussions, storytelling, art, music, poetry and personal reflection. For additional photos, click here.
Summer Institute 2020: Save the Date!
June 22-26, Yakima, WA
Join us for our annual 5-day, action-packed Summer Institute, designed for K-12 educators
and community leaders. Training aligns with TPEP and PESB cultural competency standards.
35 Washington State clock hours available.
“I became an educator to help others. UnityWorks has given us the tools.
It’s definitely a need. I now sense there is hope. We have to address the issues
and now we know how.” ―Alejandra Rodriguez, Assistant Principal
“Congrats and blessings on your work!”
- Sister Kathleen Ross, Ph.D., President Emerita & Professor of Cross-Cultural Communication, Heritage University
“Proven solutions to the most vital and challenging issue that beckon all who care about the future of humankind.” - James Williams, Former Exec. Producer, The World Today, PBS affiliate international affairs program
Support What You Believe In
All these activities can only be sustained through the generosity of our donors.
Your gift makes a difference, and so do you.
Donations can also be made on our Facebook pagewith no processing fees.
Want to support UnityWorks in a way that costs you nothing? Simply bookmark this link and support us every time you shop. Tell your family and friends too. Every little bit helps. Thanks for your support!
Our activities are supported by United Way of Central Washington, the Rabbani Charitable Trust, and the generous contributions of many families and individuals.
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Join us in our efforts to reduce prejudice and to promote understanding of
the oneness of humanity, the value of diversity and the need for unity. UnityWorks is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization.
