When you begin to touch your heart or let your heart be touched, you begin to discover that it's bottomless, that it doesn't have any resolution, that this heart is huge, vast, and limitless. You begin to discover how much warmth and gentleness is there, as well as how much space. — Pema Chodron,...

Materials for Activity Description of Activity Participants demonstrate empathy for people in new surroundings. Say to participants: Even if you have never emigrated here from another country, you might have experienced what it feels like to migrate or move to a new city or school. Being the "new...

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice and matches or LED candle Words for chalice lighting Preparation for Activity Write the chalice lighting words on newsprint and post. Description of Activity Gather youth in a circle. Welcome first-time participants. If there are new people...

This workshop includes activities related to current issues around immigration. Reflect on the recent news about immigrant families. Do you notice any similarities or differences between these current news stories and your family stories? Does your family story include immigration? Does thinking...

Activity Minutes Opening 5 Activity 1: Story — On the Trail with No More Deaths 15 Activity 2: Learning Empathy 25 Activity 3: Word Power 10 Faith in Action: Welcome Kits Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1: Empathy Meditation 15 Alternate Activity 2: Immigration Web 20...

I am a human being; nothing human can be alien to me. — Terence, Roman playwright and freed African slave This workshop asks youth to explore the importance of empathy in justice work. Using the example of immigration, youth look through the eyes of those most affected—the immigrants—and...

There was something physically different about me. It was easy to see in the day and especially easy to see at night. Others would call me names and laugh at me. Then one foggy night the very thing about me that everyone laughed at was needed....

By the courtesy of the Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists Worldwide. Used with permission.First painting by Tony Nguyen. Second painting by Onix Flores. Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing.

From the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregation’s Office of Multicultural Growth and Witness. 1. Have the meeting and lodging sites been evaluated by someone with knowledge of disabilities? 2. Physical Accommodations: handicapped parking (flat, close to major entrance)? ramped, flat...

Adapted from an interview with Raziq Brown. Used by permission.At the age of 19, Raziq Brown was the recipient of the 2008 Mary-Ella Holst Young Activist Award given annually by the Unitarian Universalist Association. His activism has taken him around the world, but the initial sparks began within.

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 2, Riddle Description of Activity The group hears a riddle about being different. Let youth know that the answer to this riddle is based on a story written by Robert May. Robert was just over 5 feet tall and as a child he was often...

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers and tape Preparation for Activity Write this list on a sheet of newsprint: Observation, Feelings, Needs, Request Write these two sentences on a separate sheet of newsprint: 1. My sister is such a pig. 2....

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers and tape Pens or pencils Lined paper Description of Activity Youth reflect on the word "disabled." Ask youth what comes to mind when they hear the terms "disabled people" or "a disabled person." If there is a youth in the room wi...

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 1, Mouth and Foot Paintings, or order prints onlineMouth and Foot Paintings Association. The quality will be better and you will help a worthwhile organization. You can order note cards, calendars, or prints. Prices range from 10...

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Copy of the story "Peace Begins with Me" Optional: Copies of Heifer International's World Ark magazine or printouts of stories from World Ark online Preparation for Activity Read the story until you are comfortable presenting it....

Materials for Activity Handout 1, Access Checklist for Meeting and Conference Planning Description of Activity Participants evaluate the accessibility of the congregation’s meeting space. Ask youth, “How accessible is our congregation?” Let youth share their observations. If further prompts...

Living with Disabilities Welcoming Children with Special Needs: A Guidebook for Faith Communities by Sally Patton (Boston: UUA, 2004) is a particularly useful resource for congregations. You can download a copy of the book from the UUA website....

Talk with co-leader about the group dynamics. Are you starting to "understand" how the group works best? Discuss with your co-leader how the workshop went in terms of viewing abilities through a lens of "abled" versus "less abled." Were there moments of awkwardness in the discussion?...

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Copies of Taking It Home for all participants Description of Activity Invite youth to stand in a circle and go around saying one thing they will take with them from today's workshop. Thank first-time participants for their contributions to the group.

Materials for Activity Local newspapers Congregational bulletin Preparation for Activity Gather newspapers, bulletins, and other sources of social justice educational events. Colleges and civic organizations often schedule speakers, as do civic organizations. Speak to members of the justice...