Changing Worlds

History

Changing Worlds began in 1996 at Hibbard Elementary School, a Chicago Public School located in the diverse, predominately immigrant Albany Park neighborhood. Driven by a vision to build bridges across cultures through story, its founder Kay Berkson partnered with the school’s staff and parents to create an oral history and photography exhibit. Now occupying three corridors of the school, the exhibit highlights fourteen family stories along with photographs, art work and maps. These captivating stories told by students, their parents and grandparents are translated into twelve different languages. They vividly describe diverse journeys to Albany Park from all over the world. The project led to the development of an activity guide with ongoing family programs and classroom curricula that foster an inclusive school community. In 1999 a traveling version of the exhibit was created to share these family stories with other communities, giving a face to those too often seen through the filters of stereotypes. Building upon the enthusiasm and success at Hibbard, the Changing Worlds project became an independent 501c3 nonprofit organization in 2000.

Areas of focus

Changing Worlds works towards our mission through separate but interconnected program areas and activities that include:

• school partnership programs

• professional development institutes and workshops for teachers

• community outreach programs (such as Ten Thousand Ripples)

• traveling exhibitions

Values

Changing Worlds believes in:

• The inclusion and acceptance of the differences and perspectives of others

• The power of art and personal stories to change perceptions and nurture connections

• The ability to affect social change through teachers and young people