Council
for Unity working proactively against gangs
family, unity, self-esteem and empowerment
“After the attack and stabbing death of Marcelo Lucero by high school students in Patchogue NY in November, 2008, an editorial on News 12 sited Riverhead’s Council for Unity as a proactive, anti-bias model to look at to fight gang type violence and racial stereotyping in schools and the community,” states Theresa Drozd, Riverhead Central School District’s Anti-Violence Coordinator.
History of Council For Unity
With diversity often comes division. Riverhead School District has worked hard during the past four years to erase lines of demarcation and division among its student body and to strive for unity.The district’s Council for Unity, which was begun 
at the high school in 2004, is an anti-gang, violence-prevention program. The first Council for Unity was started 30 years ago at John Dewey High School in NYC by Bob DeSena, who was an English teacher at John Dewey High School, as a response to gang-related violence. Its principals are based on the acronym F.U.S.E.(family, unity, self-esteem and empowerment). RHS was the first suburban high school to start a Council.
At its inception the Council for Unity at RHS was an effort to create a “positive gang” among students. Being a member of that family meant taking a stand against violence and for respect. Members of the Council for Unity work together through a positive presence and through student mediation to keep the high school a more peaceful learning environment for all of the school’s students, to erase lines of division among its student body, to promote tolerance and to strive for unity. Council classes study lessons from history: confronting racism, bigotry, and violence.
Council For Unity Reaches Out
RHS’ Council for Unity began as an after school club and has broadened its scope to include formal classes at the high school and clubs at two other schools in the district (the Pulaski Street School and the Middle School), a parent support group now meets at the Riverhead Free Library, groups were formed at the Police Department and the Jail in Riverhead. The high school group has hosted other schools from all over New York interested in organizing Councils in their schools.
National "Mix It Up Day"
The RHS Council For Unity students recently hosted a “Mix It Up” day during the high school’s lunch hours. Council members put a colored mark on student hands as they entered the cafeteria. The tables were color coded with colored balloons and students were invited to join the table that matched the color on their hand. There were discussions at each table hosted by a Council for Unity member, and a DJ provided music for conversation and dancing. This was a national event held all over the U.S. sponsored by Teaching Tolerance.
The district has several Council for Unity Clubs. The high school club meets Tuesdays and Thursdays. Twice a month they go to the middle school and work with the middle school club. The middle school Council for Unity Club will be hosting a cultural dinner twice a month. The Adult Council for Unity Family Partnership members will be participating. The high school students will also be presenting a workshop at Greenport High School December 18th, 2008.
Community Service
The RHS Council for Unity is also focused on community service. They have visited nursing homes, held fund-raisers and most recently participated in a community-wide effort to collect food. Difficult economic times are forcing area
families and individuals to seek help from our local food banks and pantries. These agencies need assistance in stocking their shelves and are reaching out to others for help. Riverhead School’s Council For Unity is assisting the Riverhead Free Library, the Town of Riverhead and other local organizations in a food drive “One Town, One Family” campaign. Collections were accepted at the high school and middle school as well as other locations. As of November 20th, the "One Town One Family Project had already collected and delivered over 3,500 pieces of food.
Picture - Council for Unity students help sort food and make posters for the “One Town, One Family” food drive. L-R: Students included Johnson, John Vail, (adult with back to the camera--Thelma Booker), Demetri Hampton, Rachel Tice, Shaniqua Holder, Brianne Funtch, Charmaine Funtch, Town Supervisor Phil Cardinale, Officer Jill Wickland, Barbara Blass, Lisa Jacobs, Theresa Drozd and Mr. Thum.
Picture – Students at “Mix It Up Day” at Riverhead High School.
Also
see: Teenwire: National Mix It Up Day, News Review Article: "One Town, One Family" (2008), News Review Article "Life After Crime" (2006), USA Today Article on Council, Council for Unity Expands to the
Jail, Fighting Crime from the Inside Out (Newsday, 11/28/06), Riverhead Town Press Release (2006), Quadre
Mims wins 2006 Suffolk County Anti-Bias Award/ Council
for Unity 2003-04, National
Council For Unity
