Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/859531
there was plenty of laughter, visiting and good will. "I didn't know w hat to think w h en I received an invitation," admits Rachael Hood, a senior last year. "But I thought, ' Why not branch out a bit,' and I came b a ck e v er y d ay. I m a d e n e w fri en d s. I've become a little more confident. I've become a little more comfortable." Madison Young, who began attending as a sophomore, says it is a relief to sit with others who aren't going to judge her and people she can relax and feel "goofy" with. "Joining the Lunch Bunch helped me meet others and come out of my shell," says Sam Barton, who didn't know very many people on campus when he enrolled as a freshman. Peer mentors say they benefit just as much as those they invite. Cooper was surprised by this. "Peer mentors are popular kids, but it's come to light that they have just as many social insecurities as other students — they just mask it better," Cooper says. "Everybody worries about what people think — especially with so much social media. I am so proud of their authentic compassion for others and their desire to support their peers." Peer mentor Melissa Franco says it has been a learning opportunity, and she has enjoyed getting to know others outside of her social circle. "It feels like one big family hanging out for lunch." Peer mentor Jaylynn Boyd puts it in simpler terms. " I t j u s t m a k e s m e f e e l h a p p y ," s h e s m i l e s . Fo r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t t h e N o O n e E a t s A l o n e p r o g r a m , v i s i t beyonddifferences.org. See an exam- ple of the program's icebreakers on the facing page. Start a Humanitarian Club W H E N I N C I D E N T S of racism on social media rocked Buena High School in Ventura in Januar y 2017, Farah Ali decided it was time to bring students together by forming a lunchtime club to explore differences in cultures, races and religions. The special education paraeducator joined forces with a colleague — college and career teacher Emmet Cullen — to create the Humanitarian Initiative Club, which meets Wednesdays during lunch. e club includes students from diverse backgrounds, and has gen- eral education students as well as those with special needs. Ali, who is Muslim, wants to make inclusion the new cool at school, because she feels the divisiveness on campus reflects the global situa- tion in today's political climate. "A lot of people have forgotten what it means to be human, so we formed a club to promote humanity and inclusiveness. We make sure everyone has a voice on campus, so we can have an environment where people feel confident and develop a sense of self-esteem," says Ali, a member of the Ventura Education Support Professionals Association. "Regardless of who people are and what they look like, they will be treated with empathy, compassion and respect here," says Cullen, A lot of people have forgotten what it means to be human, so we formed a club to promote humanity and inclusiveness." — FARAH ALI, VENTURA EDUCATION SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS ASSOCIATION 34 cta.org Back to School B R I G H T I D E A S