AnytownTM

"Anytown has given me hope for a world free of discrimination, and has taught me that I can be the changewhen I go back into the real world, I will not hesitate to stand up for whats right. -Haley Knapp, Anytown Alumni 2008

The Anytown program is at the core of Community Tampa Bay's mission of promoting dialogue and respect among all cultures, religions and races. As a youth leadership and diversity education program, the mission is to empower diverse groups of young people to create more inclusive and just schools and communities, where all individuals are treated with respect and understanding. The central objective of Anytown is to enable youth to discover their potential to become leaders and to empower them to be positive role models in their schools, neighborhoods and communities.

Anytown Goals

Experience meaningful and diverse cross-cultural interactions. Acquire knowledge regarding the impact, cause and consequences of prejudice, stereotypes and discrimination in our community. Develop skills necessary to effect change in their communities. Assess their identity development in order to achieve greater understanding and respect for themselves through interaction with persons of different cultural backgrounds. Envision and advocate for change in their communities through service.

Anytown begins with a 5 day, 4 night residential stay at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, FL. A select group of 60 teens, all high school age, are chosen to form a delegate class. All materials, transportation, food, and lodging are provided. The program includes a variety of experiences including: interactive workshops, presentations, discussion groups and other methods to confront prejudice, stereotypes, sexism, racism, ableism, homophobia, genocide, and other issues.
the problem Discrimination. According to the Southern Poverty Line Center racism is a serious problem in America. Fueled by immigration fears, the economic crisis and the election of a black president, racist hate groups increased their numbers again in 2008. The Southern Poverty Law Center has documented a staggering 926 hate groups operating in our country a more than 50% increase since 2000. Out of the 926, 56 hate groups have been identified in Florida. The FBI reports that 62% of all hate crime offenders are under the age of 24, and hate crimes are only the top of the iceberg. Hate speech, bullying and discrimination are far more frequent

and poison our school climate. Two-thirds (65%) of teens report they have been verbally or physically harassed or assaulted during the past year because of their race, gender, ethnicity, physical ability, class, religion, sexual orientation or appearance. The majority (57%) of delegates who experience harassment in school never report these incidents to school staff. When one considers the statistics, it is clear that prevention and change efforts need to focus on youth. Community Tampa Bay's program Anytown move participants through a very intentional process, beginning with initial awareness of conscious raising providing them with education and skills to move them forward action-oriented behavior in the areas of conflict management, advocacy, and servant leadership. The issues that we focus on in our programming include prejudice, discrimination, stereotypes, oppression, power, privileged, bias, bigotry, and the "isms".

why it's important:

When I started school at the University of South Florida I became aware of the existence of Community Tampa Bay (CTB) and its life changing program Anytown. I volunteered as soon as I could, it changed my life while helping others to change theirs to better their own lives and our community. Anytown is a residential leadership and diversity awareness program that brings together 40 to 50 adolescents, ages 13 to 18 of diverse cultural, ethnic, religious and economic backgrounds to build a culturally diverse community from the ground up. Each Anytown is staffed by 20 to 25 volunteers, a ratio of one volunteer for every two participants. Therefore, 70 to 80 individuals participate in each Anytown session. Community Tampa Bay uses a unique methodology that combines strong character development techniques with applied opportunities. The learning process challenges participants to pose questions, investigate, assume responsibility, and to be creative. The program features a challenging series of lessons that help delegates to become more culturally competent. Each day focuses around a theme that allows participants to engage in constructive dialog and address the topic, its relationship to themselves, their family and friends and their community at large. The curriculum culminates in the development of an action plan.

the plan of action:

Each Anytown session lasts for five days and four nights. The participants, or delegates, live, socialize and dine alongside people who at first sight appear to be completely different from them. Together, they build the skills to help create communities and schools that are inclusive and respectful of all people. When delegates acquire a deeper understanding of themselves and a sense of belonging, they are able to more openly accept and appreciate those who are different. Delegates at Anytown learn that they have more in common that what makes them different. Anytown helps delegates to become role models in their families, neighborhoods, and communities. They learn to lead their communities and schools in inclusive activities

that create more just and understanding environments, reduce conflict and build a better society. The program lays the foundation for participants to pass their newly-gained knowledge on to others by bringing out the leader in every individual and training her or hi to become an enthusiastic advocate for inclusion. The program is effective in fostering change. Since the program first started in 1991, over 3,500 local youth have participated in the Anytown experience. Many have gone on to become successful business and community leaders. An independent study, by Dr. Eileen Lyons at the University of South Florida, demonstrated that Anytown graduates show significantly greater acceptance of diversity and social competence, and dedicate more time to community service when compared to a peer-group that did not attend the program. Although, some of our results are things you cannot see: it is the student who decides to finish high school instead of dropping out to deal drugs, it is the adolescent who is not date-raped by her boyfriend, it is the hate crime that is not committed, it is the child who is no bullied because he or she is overweight, it is the racial slurs that become obsolete, it is the Latino kid who is made to feel part of the group, it is the gang violence that does not take place and it is the teacher who is treated with respect.

how you can get involved:

Others can help by volunteering, spreading the word about Community Tampa Bay and Anytown, but most importantly by economically sponsoring Anytown so we can continue providing this live changing program at an affordable cost to all students in the area. Thanks to generous donors and funders, students who participate in Anytown pay only $25 for the entire program. The real cost $1,200 per student is entirely carried by Community Tampa Bays donors and funders.