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== About ==
The Carlisle Social Justice Committee is affiliated with the [http://www.ywca.org/site/pp.asp?c=eqLNI0OHKrF&b=574517 YWCA of Carlisle], whose mission statement is: "Empowering Women, Eliminating Racism." 

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In May 2005, the Carlisle community came together to share ideas about implementing initiatives to eliminate racism. After hearing Mary, a defector from a Neo Nazi skinhead group, speak about how hate groups find alienated youth because they are easy prey, the YWCA decided to focus on youth. As part of the YWCA's Youth Leadership Conference (YLC) last fall, students from area high schools were asked to commit to reach out to at least one alienated fellow student during this school year.  

In response to the YLC, the students from Carlisle Regional High School initiated a [[SPIRIT|SPIRIT]] Program, which fostered the formation of a Diversity Club. The club's mission statement is: "We are for difference, for allowing difference, for respecting difference, until difference doesn't make a difference."

West Perry High School's response to the conference was to sponsor a Mix It Up program, in which students challenge the groups and cliques that form in the cafeteria and at recess. As the program continues to expand, high school students have begun participating in programs at a nearby elementary school, where students were paired with fifth graders and broken into groups that were different from those they normally chose.

Harrisburg Science and Technology School has been active in encouraging anti-racist efforts. Students' attendance at the YLC in the fall inspired further action. The students take days to go out into the community and visit police stations, hospitals, and other places where they feel that they can help those in need. The members of the Math & Music club at SciTech have just released a CD/DVD called "We Are Diverse", which represents the many cultures and celebrates the contributions of all students. "We can easily come together," said Luis, who spoke on behalf of the club.

Other local high schools that participated include Boiling Springs High School, Big Springs High School, and Cumberland Valley High School.


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