Dozens of community leaders were scheduled to meet today at Thunder Mountain Middle School to plan out Rachel’s Challenge.
Rachel Joy Scott was the first person killed at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999. Her act of kindness and compassion, coupled with the contents of her six diaries, have become the foundation for one of the most life-changing school and community programs in America, an Enumclaw Chamber of Commerce news release says.
While the effort started locally with the school district, it has expanded to the entire community, with businesses, service clubs and religious groups all participating. Thursday all of the stakeholders were to meet to learn how to work together.
The goal of Rachel’s Challenge is to create an environment of kindness and compassion throughout the community.
Other goals are:
- Inspire and motivate individuals to start a chain reaction of kindness and compassion that becomes visible throughout the community.
- Create a safe learning and living environment for all students and citizens by re-establishing civility and delivering proactive anecdotes to violence and bullying.
- Empower and equip individuals through training with the ability to make a difference in their place of work, school and recreation.
- Provide social/emotional education that is both colorblind and culturally relevant.
To show that effort visibly, participants write it down on chain links of paper when they see acts of kindness. When the effort is over on March 2, 2012, organizers hope to have a linked chain 2 miles long describing all of the good works.
Anyone who wants to participate can pick up Rachel’s Challenge posters and links at Enumclaw Regional Heathcare office, Enumclaw Chamber of Commerce or the Enumclaw School District Schools or Office.
Begin connecting the links to make chains to display for your business, class or organization. Every 10 yards, turn your chain in to be counted and earn a sticker to display on your poster.
Drop off the 10 yards of positive comments linked together at schools, the Enumclaw chamber, healthcare foundation, or for pick-up at your location email: Rachels_Challenge@enumclaw.wednet.edu
The Rachel’s Challenge Mission: We exist to inspire, equip and empower every person to create a permanent, positive culture change in their school, business and community by starting a chain reaction of kindness and compassion. ...start a chain reaction!
Call one of these numbers to register your place of business, organization, or your family and receive a poster, instructions and links to get started. Businesses, Chamber of Commerce, (360) 825-7666; Schools/education, Enumclaw School District, (360) 802-7102; Service organizations/clubs: Enumclaw Regional Healthcare, (360) 802-3206; and religious organizations, Live to Forgive Ministries (253) 740-4153. Visit www.rachelschallenge.org for more information.
