Students Together Opposing Prejudice (S.T. O . P. )

Our Lady of Fatima is proud to be part of an interfaith initiative, directed at Junior High aged youth to help them develop skills in identifying and confronting prejudice and discrimination. The STOP program was organized and designed by leaders from this parish as well as Congregation Beth El and Sudbury United Methodist Church in 1991. Young people from other congregations in Sudbury and the surrounding area are invited to join also. The students meet seven Wednesday evenings in January and February, participating in games, activities, and discussions led by high school alumni of the program.

Meeting Schedule: Seven(7) Wednesday evenings in January and February - 6:45 pm to 8:15 pm

Meeting Location and Time: Rotates among participating congregations

Contact Person: Susan Murphy

Comments / Notes: In operation since January 1991, the sessions are now facilitated by high school students, grades 9-12, who have completed the junior high program and want to stay involved. Each year about 30 high school facilitators present the seven-week curriculum for 30 new 7th and 8th graders. S.T.O.P. was included in President Clinton's Book, "One America-Promising Practices in Racial Unity." In March of 2000, through the sponsorship of the National Conference on Community and Justice (NCCJ), Susan Murphy and Sheila Goldberg, original architects of the program, were invited to a reception with President Clinton at the White House for leaders of the programs in his book. NCCJ included the S.T.O.P. program in their publication, "Directory of Faith-Based
Promising Practices for Racial Unity."