Nashville group looks for sites to provide antidiscrimination training

CommunityNashville, a human rights advocacy organization, is always looking for sites to train 20 people at a time in antidiscrimination programs, religion communicators learned April 21.

Board member Kim Sharp and Programs Assistant Tasha Fletcher offered to conduct a training session for RCC's Nashville Chapter sometime in the future.

Sharp and Fletcher discussed Bridge Building programs offered by CommunityNashville through its Oasis Center.

One of the best-known offerings is Camp Anytime, a weeklong residential experience for high school students. The camp is designed to break down stereotypes about people who are different from participants and foster youth leaders who resist prejudice and promote tolerance.

Recruiting teens for the camp is a challenge, said Fletcher, who attended as a teen "delegate" and later returned as a volunteer counselor. It's difficult to explain to students why they should give up the last week of summer vacation to go to a camp with no cell phone service, no computers, no Wi-Fi and no television.

But once young people go, they're hooked, said Fletcher, now youth advisory council coordinator for Building Bridges programs at the Oasis Center. She works full time helping teens learn how to overcome obstacles to building communities.

Founded in 1972, CommunityNashville raises awareness about bias, bigotry, racism and threats to human rights in Middle Tennessee. Building Bridges programs help youths face their own feelings as they learn about root causes of prejudice, become more understanding and learn to respect others.

The Oasis Center helps young people overcome serious challenges that prevent them from transitioning into a healthy adulthood.