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October 30, 2006
Honoring our Honorees: Jane Addams School for Democracy
We were thrilled to present three awards at last week's Annual Meeting. Recognizing two individuals and one organization that we believed exemplified our mission, helped us to achieve our mission, or inspired us to achieve our mission.
First: The Jane Addams School for Democracy
Named in honor of Jane Addams: writer, social reformer, and founder of Chicago's Hull House -the Jane Addams School for Democracy (JAS) aims to "free and cultivate the talents, cultures and interests of people from diverse backgrounds in order to add their energy and wisdom to the public wealth."
Humboldt High School serves as home base for this community education and civic action project, now 10 years old. JAS brings together together Latino, Hmong, East African immigrants, college students and faculty, and neighbors to create a democratic community where everyone teaches and learns from each other.
The work of JAS goes beyond helping immigrants prepare for the citizenship exam. JAS understands that a flourishing democracy depends upon the ongoing work of diverse people. JAS helps all participants build individual and collective capacity for public work. In the process, people come to see themselves as productive contributors to a shared public life.
From Nan Skelton, Co-Director for the Center for Democracy and Citizenship: "The Jane Addams School for Democracy is honored to accept the 2006 Civic Leadership Award. We believe that in order to engage a diverse citizenry in revitalizing Minnesota's civic culture will require the collaboration of many organizations. The Citizens League and the Jane Addams School working together, can contribute to this important public work."
Posted by Sean Kershaw at October 30, 2006 8:31 AM