"Many thanks to HawaH and One Common Unity for supporting our first annual Raw Life Retreat! I hope this heart-felt contribution supports the amazing work you are doing."
--Ashley & Deep Green Wellness

“Before this project I really didn’t think much of what I said to people because I’m the typed of person if I have something to say I’m going to say it. In other words, I don’t hold anything back. But now I realize that there’s a certain way to say what you feel and not be rude about it. I think of words like this, “Each word has an emotion attached that’s why we should always watch what we say.”
--Calvin Smith (A NU View youth participant, 2007)

“One Common Unity has been a great inspiration to the diversity of students at Wilson Senior High School in Washington, DC. Their teachings and commitment have created and molded our Peace Program and provided an opportunity for our students to realize their responsibility to one another and the planet. Keep up the great work OCU!”
--Dr. Stephen Tarason, Former Principal, Woodrow Wilson Senior High School

Fly By Light: Discover Your True Nature


This summer One Common Unity (OCU) is launching its new youth program, Fly By Light, which climaxes from July 25-August 1, when the inner-city high school students travel to the mountains of West Virginia for a life transforming experience. In order to create a collaborative learning environment for every participant, we are bringing together youth who are actively engaged in school and other positive extracurricular activities with those who may face barriers that may affect their ability to successfully transition to adulthood. All the youth who participate will experience a safe space for dialogue, self-discovery and self-expression, carefully crafted by OCU’s highly skilled facilitators.

The program incubates youth for six months and immerses them in workshops on leadership, nonviolent communication, conflict resolution, personal growth, health and wellness, and music therapy. During the retreat, participants will work in groups to create a piece of music and visual art, and will be featured in a documentary film created around their experience with One Common Unity. Youth will also experience sweat lodge ceremonies, drum circles, movement classes and group dialogue sessions. Upon returning to D.C. the relationships and learning will continue with community presentations, workshops and mentoring. This transformational experience will leave youth with:

  • An appreciation and love for nature
  •  Social and emotional skills that increase happiness
  •  An ability and desire to handle conflicts nonviolently
  •  An understanding of music and art as tools for self-expression and cultural change
  •  An ability to critically engage with their environment and people of different racial, ethnic, socio-economic and cultural perspectives
  •  Increased feelings of self-confidence, value, worth, and empowerment
  • A personal set of life goals
  • Positive relationships with peers, artists, educators, counselors and community members that last a lifetime

OCU needs your help to make this program a reality!

The pilot program will cost an initial $25,000 to launch, which includes: class facilitation, renting of the venues, accommodations, transportation, curriculum development, books and art supplies, insurance, evaluations, food, outreach for youth, initial production costs for the documentary film and stipends for peace educators.

Sponsor A Youth!

Your gift of $700 you will give one youth the chance to be in the program for six months.
Your gift of $360 you will give one youth the chance to be in the program for three months.
Your gift of $60 you will give one youth the chance to be in the program for one month.
Or, give from your heart as you’re able, and we will put it to good use for the students!
When you sponsor a youth you are giving them the chance to transform their life and thrive in the future.

Donate at http://www.crowdrise.com/flybylight

Fly By Light Program Schedule (Click to download):

 

 

 

 




 

OCU would like to thank the following companies for sponsoring or donating to our Fly By Light Youth Retreat!

Apple's Bakery Barilla Clif Bars/Luna Bars
The Common Market Co-Op Equal Exchange Flow Yoga Center
Honest Tea Kikkoman Kopali Organics
Macy's Manna Organics Newman's Own
Oregon Chai Rishi Tea Smart Balance
Turtle Island Foods/Tofurkey Twin Oaks Community Foods Vita Coco

 

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