YWCA Darien/Norwalk will take a stand against racism on April 29

The YWCA Darien/Norwalk is bringing the YWCA national's Stand Against Racism to the Darien and Norwalk communities for the second year.

This annual initiative is aimed at raising awareness that racism still exists in our communities and it can no longer be ignored and tolerated. The YWCA Darien/Norwalk invites local organizations or groups of individuals to participate, culminating in the national Stand Against Racism on April 29.

The YWCA created the Stand Against Racism to combat the spread of intolerance and to celebrate the richness of diversity. In 2010, this national YWCA program attracted more than 2,000 partnering organizations in 32 states that became participating sites by hosting local "stands."

More than 250,000 individuals took a Stand Against Racism by attending one of the participating sites on the day of the event and sending a strong message to their communities that racism can no longer be ignored and tolerated.

Participants ranged from school children to elected officials, executives of large corporations, church leaders and others. In 2011 more than 300,000 individuals are expected to participate in YWCA Stand Against Racism.

This year's local Stand Against Racism events include First Selectman David Campbell reading the Pledge Against Racism at Town Hall in Darien at 11:30 a.m. on April 29.

The YWCA Darien/Norwalk will also be distributing a white envelope with an orange ribbon in the April 28 edition of the Darien Times that Darien residents can tie around a tree, mailbox or their front door to celebrate diversity on April 29.

Many organizations in Darien and Norwalk have signed up to participate in Stand Against Racism, some of which will also be hosting events on April 29. These participating organizations include A Better Chance in Darien, Darien Chamber of Commerce, Darien Library, Darien Public Schools, Darien YMCA, Family Centers, Liberation Programs Inc., Shop The Gold Coast, The Depot, branches of TD Bank and YWCA Parent Awareness.

"We're thrilled that so many local organizations, corporations, schools, government agencies, and individuals in Darien and Norwalk have agreed to participate again in the Stand Against Racism on April 29, 2011," announced Nancy Coughlin, interim YWCA Executive Director. "We invite any group of any size that believes in a society free of racism to join us."

Any organization or group of individuals can become a participating site by contacting the YWCA Darien/Norwalk at 203-655-2535 ext. 302 or by signing up through the Stand Against Racism website at standagainstracism.org.

Each participating site can host their own Stand Against Racism event at their own location (which can be private or open to the public). Participation in the Stand Against Racism is free and becoming a participating site is simple. The YWCA provides all the necessary materials and documents including a "How to Run the Event" template that can be customized to meet the organization's needs.

"Stands" that organizations have planned in the past have included movie screenings, book discussions, activities educating children about racism or larger scale stands like rallies and marches.

Stand Against Racism is a national YWCA initiative with the goal of uniting all individuals as one community regardless of racial and ethnic background.

This year more than 70 YWCA branches throughout the United States will collaborate in the Stand Against Racism.

For questions or other information about Stand Against Racism, please contact Nancy Coughlin at 203-655-2535 or executivedirector@ywcadariennorwalk.org.