Diversity Workshops Work

"I know everyone wont like me. But, if I wasn't me, I would like me!!" — Third Grader

FOR BOOKS ON BULLIES, DIVERSITY, ANGER MANAGEMENT, CONFLICT RESOLUTIONS, SELF-ESTEEN,
SOCIAL SKILLS, CHARACTER BUILDING, EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

Diversity Workshop - Mentors and Students Come Together
WHAT CAN WE BRING?	WHAT DO WE WANT?	WHAT STANDS IN THE WAY?

Tenth grade students and mentors gathered together to communicate and explore differences that mentors and mentees could initially come across, such as age, race, gender, and work experiences, as well as how to overcome those barriers.

Students and mentors were then asked to share what they would bring to the relationship, what they wanted to get out of the mentoring relationship and what they saw would stand in their way.

Here are some of their responses. It was enlightening and powerful in its exchange and a most rewarding experience. All who attended felt freer for having expressed themselves, shared in the dialogue and removed barriers that had kept us in opposite ends of the room.

WHAT CAN THE STUDENTS BRING TO THE MENTOR-MENTEE RELATIONSHIP?	WHAT CAN THE MENTORS BRING TO THE MENTOR-MENTEE RELATIONSHIP?
experiences and skills babysitting working with your hands quick learner typing computer analyzing information set up a budget athletic communications and communicating with people compromising strengths high self esteem positive attitude responsibility outgoing own leader accurate quick learner getting good grades in school bold backgrounds fixing learning differences team work interests and hobbies double dutch football basketball completing homework getting good grades music singing reading ****** dancing communicating library being clean- good appearance nice clothes buying items school meeting new people different language (speaking and learning) collecting cards skating studying working together personality friendly nice shy talkative positive attitude respectful kind talented sharing good spirit kind hearted good listener positive feedback experiences having constructive criticisms working together helping one another honesty	knowledge/ information experience/ diversity contacts resources wisdom skills communications organization perseverance patience personality professionalism technology sense of humor exposure motivation good listener spirit aspiration survival techniques respect acceptance acknowledgment drive dialogue education ability to work independently/ interdependently coping skills compassion uniqueness quality standards reality perspective ****** history ethics empathy leadership sharing recommendation/ reference recognition self-esteem common sense view of the world integrity achieve/ challenge their goals help build on strengths help realize strengths routine/ structure teamwork consideration for others
WHAT DO THE STUDENTS WANT TO GET OUT OF THE MENTOR-MENTEE RELATIONSHIP?	WHAT DO THE MENTORS WANT TO GET OUT OF THE MENTOR-MENTEE RELATIONSHIP?
JOB learning our job communicate communicating with your mentor meeting people getting in touch with yourself communicating with a difference race experiencing other people’s backgrounds guidance learning different life skills appearance learn how other people act besides the people you see everyday in your neighborhood learn how to speak to other people education support from family, friends, mentors, teachers, school, church, peers, neighbors, community	personal growth management assistance perspective trends/ values learn tolerance of different behaviors patience understanding giving back learn to appreciate what student gives to us learn about other cultures a friend learn to appreciate that age develop the workforce get over stereotypes learn to be nonjudgemental teaching and learning flexibility
WHAT STANDS IN THE WAY OF STUDENTS OBTAINING WHAT THEY WANT?	WHAT STANDS IN THE WAY OF MENTORS OBTAINING WHAT THEY WANT?
stress attitude appearance shy personality family problem low self-esteem pregnant society race age poor drugs: crack and weed gangs selling drugs disease manners hanging around with wrong people domestic abuse split personality close minded peer pressure sexism gay racism not being able to take risk sexual harassment mental disability	fear of failure sense of superiority expectations impatience busy schedule judgmental attitudes inability to connect peer pressure inflexibility/ rigid need to keep student entertained stereotype trust risk close minded attitude what we do is boring to student communication

The workshop was put together by Elsie Y. Cross Associates (Philadelphia, PA) and lead by Larry Cortez, Director of Client Focus at Elsie Y. Cross Associates, Daisy Rios and Barry Cross, from Cross Cultural Consultants.