Alyssa Syms

Since the year 2000, One Common Unity’s (OCU) high impact, holistic programming has engaged over 25,500 youth, families, and educators to lead a shift away from violence through in-school and after-school programs, citywide campaigns, teacher trainings, family engagement sessions, community concerts & art showcases. Fly By Light: OCU's flagship program, Fly By Light, uses creative arts, social-emotional learning, environmental leadership, mindfulness, trauma-informed care & restorative justice to build pathways to academic achievement and enhance the overall health and wellness of vulnerable, underserved Washington, DC youth. In 2018, FBL served students ages 11-18 across 15 middle and high schools, representing all eight wards of Washington, DC, to reach over 6,300 youth, teachers & families. Health and Wellness: OCU also leads several programs focused on holistic health & wellness, employing clinical social workers and community support workers who utilize evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, and Curriculum-Based Support Group. We support youth, teachers and families to make healthy choices for their bodies, to nurture their spirits and to care for their minds. We believe that a balanced lifestyle is imperative to promoting mental health & building healthy communities. Arts, Culture, and Peace Education: OCU provides a variety of arts and peace education programs for youth, teachers, families, & community members. In 2018, we hosted trainings and one-on-one coaching sessions for approximately 250 teachers and educators to support the creation of nurturing, empathetic, and engaging classrooms. Training topics include, but are not limited to: social-emotional learning, mindfulness, cultural humility, trauma-informed care, & conflict transformation. Finally, we release an array of music videos, short documentary films, & public service announcements to promote compassionate and non-violent culture.