DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS

Doctors Without Borders are offering 

free booster shots of AWARENESS 

about the global refugee crisis and 

the cruelty with which humanity's neediest are being met.  

A dose of this "awareness medicine" 

can potentially serve to remedy the most severe symptoms of humans on earth 

--  the very common symptoms of apathy, arrogance and denial, 

as well as the even more severe symptoms 

of prejudice, cruelty, and ignorance.  

May we all take a bit of their medicine!  

 What's essential?  

These toys are made from trash scraps.

But where are their children? 

Favio and another guest listen as Norwegian hero and tour guide, KIM, 

shares his experience of saving lives -- human lives. 

THANK YOU TO THE AMAZING ORGANIZATION OF
DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS 
AND ITS VISIONARIES and VOLUNTEERS

A Teen Growing Up Through Ethical!!!!

Encampment for Citizenship

Favio Apollon, transitioning from YES teens program to FES program for young adults, attended the Encampment, with the support of his NYSEC community. Here are some things he shares in reflection.

This summer, thanks to support from the community of Ethical Culture and the staff of the Encampment For Citizenship (EFC), I spent three weeks in workshops on building community in a democracy! My time at the Encampment was one of the best experiences I have ever had. I appreciate having met young people from all different backgrounds who want to build better communities where they live.        

The Encampment was founded in 1946 after World War II, to insure that another event like the war would never happen again. Algernon Black, a Leader of the New York Society for Ethical Culture, and Alice K. Pollitzer, a prominent civic leader, wanted to bring youngsters from all different backgrounds together. Young men and women of of different races, religions, classes, genders, and sexual orientations gathered to have  conversations about how to build a community, how to run the government, how youth can take action in their own communities. In those early years, Eleanor Roosevelt, who was on the EFC board of sponsors, not only supported the Encampment, but often hosted all the campers at her Hyde Park home.

This summer’s Encampment was at Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts. Our first day began with creating a “River of Life” to introduce ourselves and get to know each other.  Because I live in New York, I tend to think that I have seen and talked to people of every culture. But I was wrong! I had never talked with a Native American — someone whose family and ancestors had not immigrated to America. I enjoyed learning about my Native American friend’s tribe and her life, and realising I had many new wonders to discover about America.

We had to create a form of government together, so we chose to create a Quaker-style democracy. We had art,  social justice, and theater workshops. We explored the state of Massachusetts to analyze aspects of government from city to district, from mayor to immigrants.  We analyzed how to relate what a community needs to what a community wants.  Also, we had discussions about where we live, comparing our communities and learning how to make them better.

My experience at the Encampment was such a privilege. It was grand getting to meet so many incredible young people from all around the country. I didn't have much hope about our generation’s future before. Because of the Encampment, I realize that so many social justice movements have been started by young people. Now I want to use the knowledge that I gained to empower my community and make it better.

INvitation to EXpress: "BLACK LIVES MATTER matters... to ME..."

New York Society for Ethical Culture's 
 Ethics for Teen Leaders 

invites youth to write up a storm for the inaugural

"Compassionate Pen" Writing Prompt!

THEME of the SEASON:
"BLACK LIVES MATTER matters...to ME..."

Entries may be written or graphic:

1. Poem

2. Short Personal Essay

3. Short Story

4. Graphic
5. Letter

Submit entries to EthicsForTeens@NYSEC.org 
labeled COMPASSIONATE PEN ENTRY

Please submit entries throughout the fall season... 2016

Excellent Entries will be:
 *** published on Ethical Blog ***
*** invited to read at ETHICAL NYSEC ***
*** and offered support in a "justice deed" they wish to organize in the fall season***

Both in language and in content, 
contributions must be ethically considered -- in other words, examine your offering, please, through the 
lens of respect and values.
Teens of all ages are welcome to participate.  
A little younger, a little older?  
Don't be discouraged from participating.  
Just WRITE!
Also, Please include a 2-3 sentence bio-statement. 
In it, mention how you got involved with this endeavor.  
  Thanks.  
For more information, and for links to resources, scroll down and see below.
If you wish to OFFER more resources to the young writing community about the topic,
as food for thought, you may send it to  EthicsForTeens@NYSEC.org
marked COMPASSIONATE PEN SUGGESTION.  Input is welcome.

A statement about the writing Prompt, to get young writers going....

Dear Teens and those who love them,

          This is an invitation to create,  hosted by NYSEC's teen scene:  Ethics For Teen Leaders.  
           "Black Lives Matter MATTERS...to ME!" is the inaugural writing prompt for Compassionate Pen's call to teen leaders, far and wide.  

           "Black Lives Matter" are the words of our day.  This phrase holds urgent meaning for American culture in 2016, and it beckons thoughtful contemplation.  What it means to you as a caring young person IS the very quest of this Compassionate Pen writing prompt.  
           The assertion that the phrase Black Lives Matter "does matter"  is stated in the writing prompt title, to compel earnest and compassionate inquiry instead of cynicism.  Adding "...to ME" was the suggestion of a wise teen-consultant who hopes to emphasize how important the PERSONAL is, within this reflective and creative process.

          "Black Lives Matter"  is a modern civil rights call of a kind, over half a century after Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech.  This call at this time indicates that we might need to be ever more attentive of unmet needs, caring of continued inequalities and vigilant about outstanding harms occurring within the very "American Dream" Americans have been creating since King.  

         This idea of The Compassionate Pen writing prompt was born of a dialogue with a middle-school-aged young man who wanted to do a school research paper about Black Lives Matter and was told by his teacher that perhaps the topic was not "age-appropriate."    It is important to give this dear young man, and every other young person in America a chance to grapple with the justice issues of the day.  Indeed, youth have been the buds of society's necessary changes toward justice throughout the world throughout time.  We must make space for their voices, and listen and nurture them.  Ethics for Teen Leaders aims to do this with the Compassionate Pen prompts.  

          You may link to the EthicsForTeenLeaders.blogspot.com for more information and resources about the Black Lives Matter movement, if that serves you in your process. 

Some resources:
Rethinking Schools: Black Students' Lives Matter
Black Lives Matter Movement
Activists make Black Lives Matter anthems: Music
The Nation: Concrete Plans
Democracy Now: Tamir Rice
DeRayMcKesson talks to Stephen Colbert
Black Lives Matters on Campuses
Blind-Spot: Test
The Privilege Walk
Racial Literacy in Schools: a video presentation
Children discuss Black History Month

TEEN EVENTS IN SEPTEMBER 2015

 FREE FOR ALL TEENS, but please RSVP. 

TEEN GATHERINGS AT NEW YORK SOCIETY FOR ETHICAL CULTURE -- YES DEED CLUB!!!! (YES stands for Young Ethical Society!)

Sun. 9/13 -- 1:30 pm 

OPEN HOUSE FOR TEENS to PLAN A SEASON OF GOOD DEEDS!

Come plan the season with your passions and hopes!  

Sun. 9/20 -- 1:30 

TEEN WORKSHOP:  INTERNATIONAL PEACE DAY

Sun. 11/1 -- 1:30
TEEN/TWEEN ZOMBIE YOGA CIRCLE

RSVP to EthicsForTeens@NYSEC.org

People's Climate March 2014

AIDS Walk 2013

Mandela Day 2014

Intergenerational Interviews 2013

People's Climate March Prep 2014

"The Joke's On Us"

Teen Leaders group with Amy and Ish leading 2012

Martha Gallahue hosting us at the 

United Nations tour with Ethical Service Council

Participate in a Virtual Program Launch!

Ethical Friends of all ages, 

Please Help Launch the Accelerating Education Initiative (AEI)'s 
Program in Afganistan  with simultaneous broadcast online world wide via Google Hangout on Air.   

Dec. 7th at 12:30pm, 5th floor, NYSEC. 

Visit charityhelp.org to support the project of your choice.

Here is a short overview of the AEI:

CharityHelp’s Accelerating Education Initiative is designed to help schools benefit from the rapid growth of free digital educational information and low cost communication technologies.  Since this initiative leverages several major global trends and can be implemented by many organizations simultaneously around the world, we feel the positive social impact of this initiative could become very substantial.  To learn more about it, please see this short video:

Accelerating Education In Developing Countries: Combining Offline Education Resources with Remote Coaching   or YouTube Link

  

We have been active in Afghanistan for more than 10 years and started by supporting orphanages through our partner, the Afghan Child Education and Care Organization (AFCECO).    About 4 years ago, we formed Think Renewables to generate ongoing support for CharityHelp International.  Think Renewables started with creating and selling solar powered computer stations and then more recently, developed a line of  Conferencing eStations.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Paul Stevers, Founder & Chairman

CharityHelp International Inc.

Annapolis, MD 21404

www.charityhelp.org

steversp@charityhelp.org

www.youtube.com/charityhelp

US Cel: +1-617-283-8688

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See you soon! New teen participants always welcome!

Nov. 30 -- 11am -- arrive at 10:30 to help set up! -- Participate in OXFAM Hunger Banquet, 4th floor. RSVP at EthicsForTeens@NYSEC.com

Teens on the Move

Saturday Eve, OCT 4th at 5pm. A DANCE and PARTY!

New York Society For Ethical Culture's 

Ethics for Teen Leaders AND

Ethics for Children 

offer NYC a great treat!

People of every age in the great NYC diaspora are invited

to enjoy a wonderful evening of creative African dance

 by two international wonder-women of Ethical Culture:

Nina Ndjemba Elemva, 

NYSEC guest teacher of Ethics for Children, NYC

and

Simba Yangala, 

BSEC's children's teacher of Ethics for Children, Brooklyn

create

ALMA LIBRE & JUNGLEDOM

OCTOBER 4th, 5:00 pm

at NYSEC, 2 West. 64th Street, NY at Central Park West

Social Hall - basement floor

Bring Friends and Pot Luck treats!

Entry is free, 

inspired donations are welcome in support of the artists

Please RSVP if you can to EthicsForTeens@gmail.com

The morning of the People's Climate March

On September 21, 2014....

Ethical Families & Friends, please gather for People's Climate March

at NYSEC, located at the corner of 64th Street and Central Park West, NYC

We will march with the American Ethical Union (AEU).

Which will march with the community of Humanists

Which will march to the Religion & Spirituality Contingent

Which will march together in the People's Climate March!

"Humanists" gathered in front of NYSEC's building at 10:30 will be greeted by each other and Ethical leaders there. AEU encourages us to wear BLUE.  The young folks encourage us to dress up playfully with the earth's themes and bring awesome signage, etc. There are hopes for children/families to be front and center in the Ethical contingent.

The group will be guided forth on a mini-March of Humanists to a gateway site for the Climate March. Our gateway site is located at 58th street and 8th Avenue.  Here, we will join a diverse array of all other "groups of religion and spirituality" who will be waiting to file into the ever-larger Climate March in an organized and ordered fashion. There will be a multi-religious invocation offered here  which will include The representation of humanism, among many world-visions. 

Deed Club on 9/14/14:  Audrey, Isaiah, Terrie, Favio, Jenna, Cecilia

 There is no pressure on families and young ones in particular to last all day. Some things that would help: small snacks and water, song-games for walking, sharable games for waiting times, small notebooks or books for kids to process their experience. Any other ideas?

Here is a banner made by Teen Deed Club! 

Congratulations for awesome, sincere and creative collaboration!

The Deed Club group plus Nina!

ETHICAL TEENS IN DEED

NYC Teens,

Please contact us at Ethics For Teen Leaders:

      -- to arrange your inclusion in upcoming meetings and activities.

      -- if you'd like help to organize a Social Justice DEED CLUB or workshop in your school.

      -- if you'd like to participate in monthly NYSEC DEED CLUB

      -- if you want to join our Coming of Age group

      -- if you want to join our field trips and outings

      -- to share your hopes with us!

In the larger Ethical Culture framework, teen gatherings are referred to as YES, which stands for Youth of Ethical Societies -- or you could think of it as "YES!!!! You can make a difference!"  You are welcome to join the the Teen YES In Deed Club at New York Society For Ethical Culture.
Also, if you are under 17, you may be interested in our Coming of Age program.

DIVE IN FOR SEPTEMBER's DEED OF THE MONTH:

People's Climate March

Sept. 14, 2:00-4pm -- an activist craft workshop:  discussion of purpose, preparation of large-puppet costumes and signs for march.  All ages and skill levels welcome. Feel free to bring crafty recycled things -- like old clothing to morph and decorate, etc. Craft stuff also provided. Come have fun! Bring friends! 

Sept. 20, 6:30 -- Saturday evening at Ethical, a great chance to hear from leaders deeply knowledgable about climate issues threatening our planet. RSVP to EthicsForTeens@nysec.org to attend as a helper & learner -- in exchange, our program will pay your ticket price. We ALSO invite you to SLEEP OVER on our ROOF TOP! 

Sept. 21, The People's Climate March on the United Nations' International Day Peace.  Meet at 10am at NYSEC for prep and bagels and we will head out together. 

MORNING MEETING & LUNCH EACH SUNDAY:
Teens are ALWAYS invited to NYSEC's 11:00 a.m. Sunday morning community gatherings at: 2 W. 64th Street, at Central Park West, NYC, 5th floor --
followed by free lunch (free for teens, that is!) and intergenerational discussion.

DEED CLUB:
Once a month, on a Sunday afternoon 2-4pm NYSEC's Teen Deed Club will meet -- please contact us to let us know you would like the details.  Dates for the fall include:  Sept 14 &21, Oct. 19, Nov. 23, Dec. 14. 

COMING OF AGE program:  see EthicalComingOfAge.blogspot.com

VOLUNTEER WITH CHILDREN

By arrangement (please write to EthicsForTeens@nysec.org), we also welcome teens at that time to act as helpers in our Ethics For Children's Programming, working with younger children, while earning community service credits.  In particular, we would love help on days of our intergenerational events/festivals at 10am (early arrival for set up), including:
Sept. 21, Nov. 2, Nov. 23, Dec. 21

Things to look forward to this season:

       -- Teen Deed Club 

       -- International Day of Peace

       -- March Against Climate Change

       -- Youth Tour of United Nations

       -- Activist Walks

       -- Ethically DJ-ed Teen Parties

       -- Speed Deed events!

          Lead a deed you are passionate about!  And bring friends!

Contact Teen Advisors to get involved or RSVP at EthicsForTeens@NYSEC.org

and request access to our Teen facebook group. Also, visit our Facebook page at:

Ethics For Children and Teens