Two weeks ago, twelve Hall students returned from the rigorous five day social justice education program known as NCCJ ANYTOWN.

ANYTOWN, which was founded in 1957, is a week-long sleepaway experience that is part of a year-long program run by the National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ). The program is designed to educate youth on societal systems of oppression and socialization, social justice “-ism”s  — including racism, sexism, heterosexism, classism, and ableism — and to develop leadership skills.

ANYTOWN celebrates diversity, with its foundation of respect, understanding, and togetherness. The program encourages self-growth by building self-esteem, leadership and communication skills, and confidence.

Each October, NCCJ ANYTOWN accepts close to 100 people, including student delegates, student counselors, and adult advisors.

The group is composed of students and their faculty advisors from seven high schools in the Greater Hartford area. The environment created by this mixture of diverse people allows students to go beyond learning with others of different geographical areas, backgrounds, and beliefs, to get to learn from each other.

Sophomore Aubrey Horn, an October delegate, says that the ANYTOWN environment taught them how important it is to “hear about the experiences of others to widen one’s perspective on different topics. … What I really loved is how kind everyone at ANYTOWN was, and how much closer I got to both new people and those I already knew.”

Over the five days, delegates – what first-timers are called – take part in interactive workshops, activities, and discussions on topics such as prejudice, discrimination, and bias.

While it may be beneficial, no background knowledge on social justice issues is required. The only essentials are an interest in social justice issues, a desire to make positive change in oneself, one’s school, and one’s community, and a readiness to participate.

English teacher Jen Lanese, the ANYTOWN advisor for Hall, says students should “come with an open mind and an open heart, with a willingness to take a risk.” The NCCJ ANYTOWN experience is really for the person who “wants to learn and grow, to step outside their comfort zone…who wants to leave the world better than they found it.”

Just about any ANYTOWN alumni will say that the program has changed them in dramatic ways. “This program makes a direct and lasting impact on so many of its participants, literally changes the course of some people’s lives, and I feel so honored that I am able to contribute in any small way to that,” says Lanese.

Junior Devon Shafer, who has attended ANYTOWN as both a delegate and a counselor, says “[It] is a place of learning and acceptance, and I’m not able to get that environment anywhere else in my life… I can see others grow, and I grow a lot myself; the positive environment breeds growth…[It] allows me to come to positive terms with myself and my identity, even if only for five days. That positivity is the basis for the growth of my own self-acceptance for the other 360 days of the year.”

Senior Jordan Baker, who has attended three sessions, says, “It was a good experience. I connected with people on a deeper level. I got to see the sides of people that they usually hide in school and in public. It was a good eye opener for me to see how I carry myself when interacting with others.”

Horn enthusiastically recommends the program to others “because it’s so much fun, and gives anyone who goes a really memorable experience, with learning of new things and making connections with others.”

Any Hall student (ages 14-18) is welcome to apply to attend. The program is held at Camp Jewell in Colebrook, Connecticut.

For those who are interested but are unable to attend in October, an August session is open to students from across Connecticut and Western Massachusetts.

For any additional information contact Ms. Lanese or Orion Howard, or visit www.nccj.org!