The Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center has established as one of its goals the reduction of prejudice in our community. This is a consistent theme in all of its education programs. Most young people visit the Holocaust Center in school groups, however some require a more intensive, individual approach. The Holocaust Center offers two programs designed to meet these needs.

Prejudice Reduction Education Programs

Hate groups frequently view schools as fertile ground for recruiting new members. There are documented incidents of such recruitment at schools across the country and in our own community. Young people may be drawn into a hate group for personal reasons. Once inside, however, they are indoctrinated with the group's philosophy of prejudice and violence. An intense effort is required to counteract this influence. The Holocaust Center offers individually tailored education programs for young people who have become involved in hate group activities. Most frequently, participation in this program is ordered by a judge as part of the sentence imposed for the commission of a "hate crime". The structure and duration of this program depends entirely on individual circumstances.

Prejudice Awareness Classes

Some young people who become involved in incidents involving prejudice are not members of hate groups. They may benefit from a program developed by the Holocaust Center at the request of the Juvenile Alternative Services Program (JASP) of the Orange County Juvenile Court. It is also open to referrals from public and private schools and from parents. It consists of a short-term program at the Holocaust Center for the young person and (if possible) his/her parent(s) and is designed to communicate the following themes:

1. Attitudes of prejudice and acts of discrimination are part of our history. The ramifications of this history continue to exert an influence on the present.
2. The common bonds of humanity shared by all people are of greater significance than individual or group differences.
3. Anyone can develop or reject attitudes of prejudice. Anyone can commit, facilitate, or oppose acts of discrimination.
4. Every person is responsible for his/her attitudes, actions, and influence on others.
5. Overcoming prejudice requires the consistent effort of all people of good conscience. This process requires time and the development of open-mindedness and empathy.