Operation Understanding DC
Invite reviews
I am an alum of Class 5 of OUDC. This organization and its teachings have collectively done more to shape my life as a Jew and an adult than any other experience or organization of which I have been a part. At a time when Judaism was not a strong part of my life, OUDC showed me the importance of recognizing my own heritage, and how it was my personal responsibility to educate others about the facts of history and relationships. Not a week goes by when I don't think about or act upon the lessons and methods I learned here, and I actively engage many people in discussion about OUDC's goals and training. While I now live 3,000 miles away and can only donate so much every year, I will never cease to benefit from how OUDC has shaped my outlook on life.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
...graduating in January 2000.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
...provide more funding and create more chapters around the country.
This program changed my child's life. OUDC provides a safe and nurturing environment to discuss issues of diversity. The program inspires youth to tackle the tough issues and talk about sensitive subjects. My son developed amazing friendships. Our entire family became involved in the program thru program participation, selection of program candidates and spending time with other parents. We will remember this experience forever. I would recommend this program to any student who wishes to expand their circle of friends while exploring the common differences and similarities we all share.
Sincerely,
The Powell Family
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the impact it had on my child.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Double the enrollment
I have been a donor for three years. In a time when we cannot justify many contributions because of the squeeze of the economic situation, we have been consistent in our support of OUDC. We feel that if we need to work with teens to learn about others and celebrate their differences in order to leave them a better world than they came into. OUDC does this in bucketfuls.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
volunteering and parenting two participants in OUDC.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
increase the size of its class so that more people can participate and benefit from it.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the variety of people who are served and brought together as its own posse every year.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
exceptional, thoughtful, thought-provoking, caring of all members of the family
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
branch out to more people in this area and then to other metro areas.
Ways to make it better...
parents were allowed to participate in a parallel program (and journey) with our children.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
continuing funding. The class size was reduced this year by 25% because of funding issues.
One thing I'd also say is that...
We have been so fortunate to have been involved and that all members of my nuclear family have benefited from this organization aimed at teenagers.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
As a parent of a student in Class 13, I know that my daughter's experience that year has taught her much about two wonderful cultures, although one she was born into. Since it is a year long program she has had time to process what she has learned and work out any additional issues within the closeness of OUDC. But even more importantly, she has also learned how to talk to people who say offensive or factually incorrect things about other people (not limited to African Americans or Jews). She sees herself, her classmates and OUDC as a community of people who understand and promote equality everywhere. I feel that we are fortunate to have this opportunity for our kids because we live somewhere where OUDC exists, we fit the profile and we believe. OUDC Rocks!!
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
not have the kids shop in Walmart when they are on the journey - nothing more significant than that because otherwise it is great.
More feedback...
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
very impressive. I have met students from many of the past 15 classes and found everyone to be thoughtful and impressive. I find myself wondering, -do they choose the right people to be involved or are the right people those who apply?
Ways to make it better...
they had a few more programs where the parents got to do some of the same exercises as the students in the winter session.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
Operation Understanding DC is an outstanding program that brings together young people from the African American and Jewish communities to learn about their shared history and to confront current issues of racism, anti-Semitism and other forms of discrimination. It empowers these young people by helping them to strengthen their character and identity and provides them with a set of skills that enables them to become advocates and forces for social justice.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the ways in which it has helped my children appreciate that although people may have different backgrounds, beliefs, and traditions, we all share a common humanity and a common struggle.
More feedback...
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
My son participated in this program. At first, he was reluctant to tear himself away from the summer camp he had been involved with for many years. Once he immersed himself in the OUDC experience, however, he never looked back. His appreciation of the culture and history of oppression of African Americans came alive in a way that has resonated deeply within him. He made enduring friendships that have stood the test of time. He was forced to thoroughly examine his belief system. While he had always been a "fire in the belly" social activist, this experience ignited him.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
being challenged (by my son) to closely examine my own beliefs, values, actions and words.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
their unique approach to bringing youth with different religious and cultural backgrounds together by having them collaboratively problem-solve, live together and grapple with difficult and sensitive issues.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
uniformly highly dedicated.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
When my son first told us about Operation Understanding DC, we were very skeptical about the program, we were expecting them to ask us for thousands of dollars to be in the program, after about 6 months into the program, I will say that this is one of the best things that has happened to us, the way the organisation has encouraged our children and the parents alike to communicate and engage each other, I am always looking forward to the parents meetins that we have, we always have about 20 parents from different backgrounds sharing experiences about our religions, backgrounds and I have personally learnt a lot about the Jewish community from the program. The organisers are unbelieveable nice, especially AJ. I love how they are encouraging our young to be great leaders of tommorrow. The summer journey was a good experience and it has helped my son. Dolapo. I wish them many more years and the very best.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
My son is a better person with the way he deals with his other sibblings, his peers in school and his teachers, he is always looking for a way for a solution to any issue.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Get the parents more involved.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
involving the parents in what our children are experiencing with the organisation
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
very good, all of them unconditionally love their work with our kids
Ways to make it better...
parents are more engaged and involved
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
funding
One thing I'd also say is that...
I am happy to have been introduced to this organisation, A big eye opener for me and I will recommend the organisation to everybody that I know.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
I heard about Operation Understanding DC through a friend who is in the graduating class before me. Initially I was nervous about joining the organization. I thought I would be thrust into intimate situations with 22 strangers and this made me a little uneasy. Now, a senior, going into her last 5 months of OUDC it is bittersweet. My classmates and I came in strangers, we are now a unique family. I will miss the retreats and memorable speakers like Georgette Norman, director of the Rosa Parks Museum in Montgomery, Alabama. Though these thoughts are sad I am overjoyed and excited in entering the facilitation and speech making portion of our year long leadership program. I believe whole heartedly that my classmates and I will build a generation of community leaders that will promote respect and understanding in our communities, we WILL work to eradicate racism, anti-Semitism and all forms of discrimination, we will make this world a better place.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
...the participation of the year long program.
More feedback...
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
I first heard about Operation Understanding DC (OUDC) through my high school. When I read about the program, it made me realize that there was a good chance to learn about my history as well as others. OUDC is a program that brings African Americans and Jewish students together to explore their history while also working to promote respect. During this past summer, we took a 23-day journey, following the path of the freedom riders. It was one of the most enriching experiences. I met mayors of different cities as well as people who contributed and partiicipated in the civil rights movement. I got a lot out of the journey, and not only did I learn about history, but I also touched it. It was so amazing because it opened my eyes and changed my outlook on life. I now valu emy life more than ever because I know some of the sacrifices that people have made to get me here today.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
During the summer journey of 2010 for 23 days.
More feedback...
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
Operation Understanding isn't just a non-profit organization looking to educate students, but a unique experience that's definitely life-changing. One question I always asked myself and teachers was why does history matter? It already happened! And it wasn't until after our 3-week summer journey across the states did I really start to understand and rely on the importance of history- without it, it repeats itself! There's nothing more ignorant that we can do today than nothing. So start now and contribute, support, or just plain tell your friends about OUDC because they know where to start, and their volunteers know where to continue.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
School. I take school dramatically more seriously. Especially history. My work has become progressively more organized as I have become much more attentive in class. OUDC also taught me to care about education and it shows.
More feedback...
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
OUDC is an amazing organization. As a current participant, I can't even begin to describe all that I have learned and gained from this program. We have learned about different cultures and have been challenged to analyze our connections to our own. We have learned about activism, oppression, power, and many other relevant issues. This experience has been invaluable for me.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
my own enhanced perspective of different issues.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the amazing and unique people I've met, bonded with, and learned from.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
great, they really knew what they were doing.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
reach many more people and have an even greater positive impact on the community
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
This organization is fantastic. I have spent the last eight months with 21 fantastic teenagers and I have learned more than I ever thought possible. We have learned about each others cultures, histories, and religions. We have seen each group's successes and failures. And what I have learned has helped me challenge my own beliefs, notions, and stereotypes. This will help me better serve my community today, tomorrow and far into the future. An organization that can do this is extremely rare.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the way I handle situations where people use derogatory names. I would just let it slide in the past, but now I speak up.
More feedback...
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
Filter by reviewer role:
- Volunteer57
- Client Served80
- Expert10
- Public20
- Board Member10
- Donor27
- Advisor1
Support This Nonprofit
Help this nonprofit get more reviews
5 tips for getting reviews