Atlanta, GA

Bridging the Gap Project, Inc.

Gail Hoffman, Executive Director

Bridging the Gap is focusing its project on conflict between high school students, and between high school students and their refugee parents at Clarkston High School. This conflict affects everyone working with these refugees, and includes a substantial amount of hate crime from unknown persons. The refugee groups affected are Iraqi, Somali, Bosnian and Vietnamese. The local community is largely Euro and African-American.

During the training September 30-October 4 a group of students from each high school class who are prepared to be a resource to the community when ethnic hatred, violence or hate crimes emerge was formed. Trainers were Dr. Duane Ruth-Heffelbower of PACS, Sue Kliewer, another member of the faculty of Fresno Pacific University, and Frank Disimino of Immigration and Refugee Services of America.

Group trained at Clarkston High School

Photos of the training.

Web site created by the Clarkston High School Youth Initiative Project sponsored by Bridging the Gap.

National Public Radio report on Atlanta's new diversity, including clips from our training session. Requires RealAudio player.

President's Initiative on Race report on Bridging the Gap.

Return to Refugee Project Home Page.