DIALOGUE to ACTION™
Antiracist Programming to Eliminate Racism
YWCA Delaware’s Racial & Social Justice program strives to transform communities by changing consciousness, promoting inclusion and solidarity, and cultivating skills in individuals to advocate for justice and inspire a movement.
We encourage you to join the conversations that spark change. Check out our current offerings of discussion-based programs below. Please contact rcotto@ywcade.org for additional information.
21 Day Racial Equity and Social Justice Challenge
The 21-Day Racial Equity and Social Justice Challenge is designed to create dedicated time and space to build more effective social justice habits, particularly those dealing with issues of race, power, privilege, and leadership. Our challenge starts on Monday, March 1st and continues (Monday –Friday) through March 29th.
Each day of the challenge you will be presented with activities such as reading an article, listening to a podcast, reflecting on personal experience and more. Participation in an activity like this helps us to discover how racial injustice and social injustice impact our community, to connect with one another, and to identify ways to dismantle racism and other forms of discrimination.
We hope that you will go into this challenge with an open heart and an open mind, ready to be pushed out of your comfort zone. We know these discussions can be difficult and can bring up powerful emotions, but your commitment to increasing your awareness is what will help move our community forward.
To engage with other people doing the challenge, use the hashtag #YWCAEquityChallenge to share your reflections on social media. You can also join our Facebook group where participants can continue the conversation in a safe space.
This is an exciting opportunity to dive deep into racial equity and social justice. Select your local YWCA affiliate to join us on this journey.
White Ally Small Groups
Do you want to be a good ally to people of color? Do you want to learn how to have tough conversations with other white individuals who may think racism does not still exist? Join one of our White ally small groups where you can learn these skills and more. These groups will meet monthly for a period of 10 months for 1.5 hours with an established curriculum. You will learn about yourself, how to use the race method to engage with racism denial, key concepts of interpersonal racial issues, and build relationships with fellow allies to build a community of advocates wanting to do the work for real change. There will also be a shared responsibility among the group to lead the various sessions.
These groups meet once a month per session, beginning in February through November 2021. There are limited spots available. We are asking for donations of $25 to cover material cost.
GROUP SESSIONS
2nd Tuesday – 6:00PM-7:30PM beginning February 9, 2021 –Registration FULL
2nd Thursday – 2:30PM-4:00PM beginning February 11, 2021 – Registration FULL
2nd Saturday – 9:30AM-11:00AM beginning February 13, 2021 – Registration FULL
3rd Monday – 6:30PM-8:00PM beginning February 15, 2021 – Registration FULL
3rd Wednesday – 1:00PM-2:30PM beginning February 17th, 2021 – Registration FULL
3rd Wednesday – 5:30PM-7:00PM beginning February 17th, 2021 – Registration FULL
3rd Friday – 9:30AM-11:00AM beginning February 19th, 2021 – Registration FULL
3rd Sunday – 4:00PM-5:30PM beginning February 21st, 2021 – Registration FULL
4th Tuesday – 4:30PM-6:00PM beginning February 23rd, 2021 – Registration FULL
4th Friday – 7:00PM-8:30PM beginning February 26th, 2021 – Registration FULL
Please contact rcotto@ywcade.org for more information.
FUTURE SESSIONS
If you are interested, but none of the currently available sessions work for you, please complete our interest form so we can notify you directly as new dates become avaible.
Conversations about Racism
This is a dynamic program that moves us from talk to meaningful action. You’ve had conversations about racism before, but this program dives into the real issues and root causes, and evolves into action that directly addresses systemic and institutional racism. Now more than ever, we need to listen to each other, break down the walls between us, and channel our emotions into meaningful action for sustainable change. The program includes six (6) weekly group discussions among 8-12 individuals, guided by trained facilitators, focusing on race, racism and putting solutions for ending racism into action.
Join New Sessions Coming Soon
Sign up here to be contacted when registration starts.
Host a Session
If your organization would like to host a session, we can provide facilitators* for the day/time you need for your participants. Please contact Becca Cotto at rcotto@ywcade.org.
*fees apply with this option
SUSSEX
Scheduled dates for the next round of DTA sponsored by the Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice. The groups will begin the week of February 22. The next groups are scheduled as follows:
- Wednesdays – 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM beginning February 24th, 2021 | Facilitators: Joe Lawson & Sharon Bernstein
- Wednesdays – 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM beginning February 24th, 2021 | Facilitators: Lori Yadin & Marene Saunders
- Thursdays – 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM beginning February 25th, 2021 | Facilitators: Calvin Jackson & Marene Nicole Truitt
PLEASE NOTE:
– While we do our best to fill each session there may be a session that does not have enough participants to meet. If this is the case we will contact you as soon as possible to allow you the option of choosing an alternative session.
– Those needing accessibility or requesting an accommodation to access program services please contact rcotto@ywcade.org. Requests should be made at least two weeks in advance.
Book Study Community Program: How to Be an Antiracist
Last year, YWCA Delaware was honored to host a live virtual conversation with Dr. Ibram Kendi, author of How to Be an Antiracist, who defines an “Antiracist” as one who supports policy change through their actions and public commitment to those ideas. Along with the virtual event, we also hosted a series of virtual book study sessions focused on this message and the ideal that “just” not being a racist is not enough. Through the series, we examine the importance and realities of truly being an Antiracist.
YWCA Delaware is once again offering this series in 2021. These two, six (6) week session studies can be self-led by a member of the group using a guide provided by YWCA. Sign up for the Mondays or Wednesday sessions below.
Join the Monday Sessions
Mondays - 6:00 pm-7:30 pm
January 25th - March 1st
(6 week Book study 2021 – All Programs are Virtual)
***REGISTRATION NOW FULL***
Please sign up to be notified about future sessions:
Join the Wednesday Sessions
Wednesdays - 6:00 pm-7:30 pm
January 27th
February 3rd
February 10th
February 17th
February 24th
March 3rd
(6 week book study 2021 – All Programs are Virtual)
Host a Session
Organizations can benefit from these impactful conversations. If your organization would like to host a How to Be an Antiracist study session, YW can provide you with tools and guidance.
Signup here for communications about future group sessions.
Educational Forums and Discussions
YWCA partners with community groups and nonprofits to create inclusive spaces where participants can learn about the history and negative impact of racism and oppression on individual attitudes, behaviors, and the very fabric of society. We help people grow their capacity to foster conversations about racism, and to develop action plans for responding to racism and other forms of oppression. If you missed our current session, please watch this space for future discussion groups.
Please contact Rebecca Cotto at rcotto@ywcade.org for more information.
Stand Against Racism
YWCA’s Stand Against Racism is an annual, national campaign coordinated in mid-Spring with YWCAs across the country, to build community among those who work for racial justice and to raise awareness about the negative impact of institutional and structural racism in our communities.