This summer, five visitors from Haiti arrived in Pensacola as part of an International Visitor Leadership Program titled Youth and Civic Activism.
City Council Executive Don Kraher started their project with an overview of Pensacola to help orient them to the area. A volunteer experience at First United Methodist Church was next, and it focused on hunger alleviation at the local level. Serving the Hungry Coordinator Katie Ramsey explained the details behind the church’s feeding program, explaining that all are welcome.
At an informal coffee, the group discussed common topics of interest with Haley Richards, a middle school teacher and a member of the League of Women Voters, First Tee of Northwest Florida Executive Director Marty Stanovich, and Cub Scout Den Leader Lisa Williams. All three locals focus on education and youth mentorship and had several questions for the Haitians and their work.
Visiting the Escambia County 4-H Youth Development Center, the group met with 4-H Program Assistant Jeremey Johnson who discussed 4-H and how it helps local youth be productive and involved with their communities. Next, they spent time with Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford who included an overview of his office’s educational outreach program in local schools. The program encourages civic responsibility, activism, and leadership. At this end of the discussion, the group participated in their own mock election.
Their final visit in Pensacola was with Reverend M.K. Matthews who in 1961 sat with a group of black students at a segregated lunch counter in downtown Pensacola and refused to move. He discussed his experiences in organizing peaceful protests and combating race relations within the community.
The Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council thanks everyone who helped to make this project a success.
