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We invite you to participate…
It is our belief that the Institutes for Healing Racism model of working on racial relationships have great value for the people of our community.  The discipline and focus provided by these dialogues will begin the healing for all participants, regardless of ethnicity.  This step of greater awareness and sensitivity links naturally to action steps such as those of the Summit on Racism, which together will have an impact on the quality of life for everyone in our community.

We encourage you to participate in one of the Institutes.  If you have attended, we ask you to recruit others.  We invite you to call any one of the organizations listed here for schedules and registration information.  The four organizations and their programs are:

The Employers’ Coalition, Institute for Healing Racism (IHR) is an initiative of the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce.  The Employers’ Coalition seeks to eliminate the culture of individual and institutional racism in business and community by facilitating racial healing through a 10-week IHR dialogue, a 2-day IHR Experience, and various collaborations.  The tuition fees are $125 for participants from non-profit organizations and $225 for participants for for-profit companies.  Applications for partial tuition scholarships are available upon request.  For information and scheduling, visit their website at www.grandrapids.org or contact Sonya Hughes, Diversity Programs Director, at 616.771.0321.

The Grand Rapids Area Center for Ecumenism (GRACE) through its Racial Justice Institute provides a focus for mobilizing persons within the community to join in the effort to eliminate racism. It cooperates and builds partnerships among religious and community organizations, as well as with congregations and individuals.  As part of its effort, the GRACE/RJI sponsors Institutes for Healing Racism in two formats:

The Faith-Based Institute for Healing Racism (FBIHR) is an eight-week (two hours per week) format offered several times a year, usually in conjunction with two partnering congregations.  The FBIHR is co-sponsored with Catholic Human Development Outreach (CHDO) and the Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan and sessions are offered without charge.  The dialogues are conducted from a Christian perspective that is sensitive to other faiths; periodically, inter-religious Institutes are provided.

The Community Institute for Healing Racism (CIHR) is a two-day format, usually offered monthly.  This is an intensive model, in contrast with the more reflective 8-week sessions.  The cost for this Institute is $200 per person; some partial scholarships are available.

For more information and scheduling, visit the GRACE website at www.graceoffice.org or contact Carissa Woodwyk, Staff Assistant, at 616.774.2321

The Institute for Healing Racism - Grand Rapids  was formed in 1992 to bring the first DIALOGUE: RACISM series to West Michigan.  The IHR-GR, modeled after the original Center for the Healing of Racism in Houston, initially offered a 9-week DIALOGUE series.  Subsequently, DIALOGUE: RACISM workshops of shorter and longer duration were developed to meet the needs of particular groups.  The Institute starts with basic assumptions: there is one human family; racism is a disease woven into the moral and spiritual fiber of US society; and that the struggle against racism must, first and foremost, be waged in the heart.  The IHR-GR collaborates with religious groups, public and private organizations and businesses but its focus continues to be on DIALOGUES without cost for the broader community. Contact Gloria Holmes at 616.732.9267 (voice mail).

The Woodrick Institute for the Study of Racism and Diversity at Aquinas College works to help individuals and organizations build the capacity to address diversity in all its forms, especially race.  It is well known for its 2-day Institutes, targeting both executives and individuals from all parts of the community.  In addition, it provides numerous activities, workshops and luncheons that give individuals the opportunities to engage in healing racism and celebrating diversity.  The Woodrick Institute also serves as a clearinghouse for diversity-related information, tips and resources.  You can subscribe to its weekly email newsletters to stay up-to-date. Contact the Woodrick Institute online at www.woodrickinstitute.org or call Tawana Harris, Project Manager, at 616.459-8281 x2177.

Non-Profit Alliance for Healing Racism
The Non-Profit Alliance for Healing Racism is a cooperative relationship among four non-profit organizations in the greater Grand Rapids area that provide opportunities for healing racism.  Formed in 2001, the Alliance acknowledges that the four are allies in the work of healing racism and agree to cooperate regarding curriculum, referral and quality control. The Alliance is committed to responsible leadership; focuses on capacity building and development; and, assures supporters of a systematic approach to healing racism.

All these Institutes for Healing Racism models address the history and reality of racism and its impact, institutional racism, white privilege, healing, and movement into commitment and action.  The Institutes are conducted in an atmosphere of caring, sharing and exploring of new information, which allows participants to feel safe, help clarify misinformation, dispel fears and break down barriers to understanding true community.

The specific Goals of the Institutes for Healing Racism are:
  1. To explain how racism came into being in the United States.
  2. To gain an understanding of the pathology of the disease of racism and what constitutes the wounds caused by it.
  3. To provide a place where those who have experienced racism and those who have perpetuated it may come together to help each other arrive at new understanding and heal the pain experienced by both.
  4. To forge genuine friendships through communication as the group evolves into a dependable force for action.