YWCA Commemorates 9/11

Governor Mark Parkinson and First Lady Stacy Parkinson will recognize the anniversary of September 11, 2001 as a “Day of Service and Remembrance,” Friday, Sept 11, at 11 a.m. at the YWCA of Topeka offices.

The Governor and First Lady will take a tour of the facilities at the YWCA of Topeka before the ceremony to get a first hand view of the volunteer and service opportunities that exist at the YWCA. Refreshments will be served after the press conference.

Governor Parkinson issued a proclamation declaring September 11 as a “Day of Service of Remembrance” to call on Kansans to commit the day and the future to community service. The proclamation is in conjunction with the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which includes the authorization and Federal recognition of September 11 as a “National Day of Service and Remembrance,” a bill signed into law by President Barrack Obama on April 21, 2009.

“One of the most important things we can do as we look back on the tragic events of September 11 is to give back to our communities,” said Governor Parkinson. “I am asking that all Kansans take some time out of their busy schedule to not only remember this sad part of history, but to also build our state and our country for the future.”

The Governor and First Lady are both actively involved in several community and charitable organizations. They were named the 2006 Co-Citizens of the Year by the United Community Services of Johnson County. First Lady Parkinson is spearheading “United We Serve” in Kansas, the national serve initiative that encourages Americans to become active in their community to help meet the growing social needs resulting from the economic downturn

Students to celebrate diversity and the arts

Monday, June 29, marks the kick-off of the YWCA R.A.C.E. (Resource and Advocacy for Change and Equity) Committee diversity mural and art project. This project will be held at Highland Park High School pulling together over 100 students from the Topeka community. Student groups participating include the YWCA Adopt-a-School Program, YWCA Kids Quest Summer Adventure Camp, and students from Topeka’s first Freedom School.

This six week mural and art project will provide students from different backgrounds an opportunity to learn how differences are assets and not hindrances to working together. Each week, students will be exposed to different cultures, customs and traditions while working on the main mural. The mural will be a collage of different ethnicities, genders and abilities with words that encourage unity and diversity.

In addition to the mural that will be displayed at Highland Park High School, each student will participate in an individual art piece focused on “celebrating diversity” that will be displayed at the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site and the YWCA of Topeka.

“This project will give these students a sense of accomplishment partnered with a new appreciation for the arts,” said Lover Chancler, YWCA Racial Justice Director.

This mural and art project will also allow accessibility to the arts to families that may not otherwise have exposure. Of the students participating, at least half will be of low to moderate income families. Additionally, the mural will be located in at high school with at least 85% of its student population at or below the poverty line.