Community Against Bullying has its eye on another anti-bullying outreach campaign that it would like to bring to Austin, in collaboration with the Austin Area Commission for the Arts.
The group is looking to reach out to Peter Yarrow , of the folk music group Peter, Paul and Mary , to come to town for a concert and assembly for the community. In addition to his music, Yarrow founded the Operation Respect Foundation, a non-profit group working to assure each child a respectful climate free of bullying.
The target date for his arrival to town wouldn't be until April 2013, but Paramount Theatre Executive Director Jennie Germain and Operations Manager Scott Anderson discussed the idea with Community Against Bullying members during a meeting Tuesday evening. They wanted to get the ball rolling to see if the group would throw its support to the event, since the program supports its anti-bullying message.
"It seems like just a perfect fit for what you guys have done," Anderson said. "And he would appeal to lots of grandparents."
Community Against Bullying President/Chairperson Danielle Borgerson-Nesvold said she wants to reach out to all age groups. When the Austin Area Commission for the Arts came to her with the idea for Yarrow's concert, it wanted to move forward with it as long as the anti-bullying group was on board, which humbled Borgerson-Nesvold.
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"I'm all about collaborative things," Borgerson-Nesvold said. "Because really, that speaks volumes. That's huge."
Part of the goal of the Paramount is to partner with artists who offer a community outreach program in addition to a concert, Germain said.
"(Community Against Bullying) is a great fit for something like that," Germain said.
Borgerson-Nesvold already has the curriculum from Operation Respect , called "Don't Laugh At Me," which is geared toward students in elementary and middle school. She said she thinks it will be nice to bring in a different program.
Last year, the group brought motivational speaker The Scary Guy to Austin for a couple of weeks. He was in Austin Public Schools and in the community. He left behind his curriculum for schools to use as they focus on anti-bullying efforts.
