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August 25, 2000/24 Av 5760, Vol. 52, No.50
Marshall Fund rewards NCCJ for diversity efforts
BARRY COHEN
Community Editor
The National Conference for Community and Justice Arizona Region, best known for its affiliation with Camp Anytown, has received a $25,000 contribution from the Marshall Fund of Arizona.
"I was delighted," said Rory Gilbert, executive director of the NCCJ.
The money will be used "for training and technical assistance for camps Unitown and Minitown," said Gilbert.
These camps are "offshoots" of Anytown, a one-week camp in Prescott established in 1957 that brings youth together from all over the state. To date, Anytown has had 25,000 campers.
The campers "have all the old prejudices and stereotypes," said David Frazer, board member for both the NCCJ and the Marshall Fund. After just a few days, when campers from various backgrounds interact, "a real change takes place," prejudices are broken down, and friendships are formed, he said.
Since Anytown's inception, there has been a strong connection between the camp and the Jewish community, Gilbert pointed out.
"We have always had a Jewish delegation at camp," and a Jewish presence has been vital in teaching campers of various backgrounds about diversity, she said.
Gilbert explained that both Unitown and Minitown represent efforts to bring the successful Anytown approach into the city, condensing the seven-day summer program into a three-day experience. Unitown targets high schools and Minitown targets middle schools.
Gilbert wants to make sure that when schools choose to set up a Minitown or a Unitown on site, they contact the NCCJ, which provides a director and programming. The schools cover fees, including room and board and transportation.
The Marshall grant will help the camps receive "quality assurance" and "technical support" to make them as good as possible, said Gilbert.
Today, 20-30 Unitowns and Minitowns are run in the Phoenix area. But not all are affiliated with the NCCJ.
Gilbert's goal is to "ensure they get the support they need." The grant will help in that effort, she said.
Maxine Marshall, vice president of the Marshall Fund, said what makes the NCCJ attractive is Anytown. "We're delighted they are bringing it into town for kids."
"Various high schools have serious diversity issues," said Frazer, and Unitown and Minitown will be able to address these issues directly because of their relationship with Anytown - a camp that has "tremendous experience with solving problems."
Over the past few years, the NCCJ has established Minitowns and Unitowns in both the Scottsdale and Gilbert school systems. In the past year, they directed eight to 10 of these camps.
Maxine Marshall's family established the Marshall Fund 14 years ago.
Currently, the fund has a $4 million endowment.
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