AdventHealth University specially selected 20 student leaders to participate in the first Take Action Conference, scheduled for January 2022 in Orlando.
The Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida is hosting the Take Action Conference to motivate youth to create change on their campuses and in their communities. Major focuses of the Institute are diversity, tolerance, and social justice.
During the two-day conference, students will be given tools and resources, including learning the power of storytelling, media relations training, how to organize a rally, and coalition building.
Participating AHU students are Emily Abdon,Nureliz Adorno, Maddison Carmi, Taylor Cox, Shelby Dowda, Lauren Drummond,Samantha Duckworth, Bernard Edouard, Jose Fragoso Ruiz, Ruby Gonzalez, Cristina Hernandez, Capone Hodo, Cavy Joseph, Alissa Negron, Jemma Raner, Roland Rothe,Hala Saedi, Emily Villar-Dominguez, James Williams, and Danah Williamson.
“AdventHealth University is excited to be a part of this transformative experience for our students and ultimately our campus and our community,” said Kendra Presley Van-Houten, director of community and student engagement for AdventHealth University. “As a leader in healthcare education, AdventHealth University is devoted to developing influential professionals of uncommon compassion, and learning how to work toward equity and inclusion are vital to our mission.”
Conference speakers include Prashan De Visser, founder of Sri Lanka United, the largest youth movement for reconciliation in Sri Lanka, and Holocaust survivor Eva Schloss, stepsister of Anne Frank.
AdventHealth University awarded scholarships for the 20 civic scholars selected to attend. The Registration includes a one-year membership in the Take Action Institute. The Take Action Institute serves as a community resource center and a collaborative space for students, activists, community partners, and educators to share knowledge. Its mission statement says: Guided by the lessons of the Holocaust and vision for a just and caring community, the Take Action Institute supports student movements that take action against all forms of prejudice and bigotry.
“The Take Action Institute conference brings together 400 of the best and brightest of our youth (16-25 years of age) desiring to root out all forms of prejudice and bigotry on their campuses and their communities,” said Marc McMurrin, Take Action Institute chairman. “It has been encouraging to see all the Central Florida major universities and high schools rally around this conference and the ongoing learning available through the institute. The youth will lead the way standing up to injustice while appreciating the differences that makes our community strong.”
