National Conference for Community and Justice

National Conference for Community and Justice

The National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ) is a human relations organization that promotes inclusion and acceptance through education and advocacy. Their mission, since their establishment over 90 years ago, is to celebrate the diversity of races, religions, cultures, genders, abilities & sexual orientations, while working to eliminate all forms of discrimination.

Through their youth programs, NCCJ Bridges, NCCJ ANYTOWN, and NCCJ’s Youth Action Coalition, they provide middle and high school students with the knowledge and skills to challenge all forms of bias in their schools and communities. They also provide workshops for corporations, nonprofit organizations, and communities as a whole.

This work, which has been so particularly important over the last several years of division, race-based aggression, and violence, hit a roadblock when the pandemic hit. They managed to convert some of their programming to online or hybrid formats, but were limited by both the physical safety restrictions, and the increased emotional demand their work required in such tumultuous times. Their fundraising was also significantly impacted, stretching their staff and programming even further.

With the $10,000 awarded through the ARF Small Business and Nonprofit Grant, NCCJ can create more connections with local organizations, like Windsor Public Schools and the Windsor Library. They can continue to do their important work, and improve and expand their programming in Windsor and beyond.