“What starts out as a little prejudiced thought leads to acts of violence...." 

- Lara Mendel, The Mosaic Project

Often times as adults, we are quick to slap labels on people we’ve never met or held a conversation with. At best we miss out on a chance to experience something new; at worst this leads to very destructive behavior. 

The Mosaic Project teaches kids - 4th and 5th graders - that we aren't all that different.

Their main program is the Outdoor School, a 4-day overnight camp that combines children from various socio-economic, racial and ethnic backgrounds, challenging them to set aside any preconceived prejudices to live, learn, and work together.

The Project's goal is to create a microcosm of the diverse-yet-accepting world that we all want to live in. 

While attending the Outdoor School, kids are paired with kids from other schools and are immersed in each other's backgrounds. The Mosaic Project’s week-long program teaches kids basic conflict resolution skills, teamwork and leadership exercises, and shatters many preconceived notions about how their peers interact. 

Upon completion, many students go on to be leaders in their schools and are able to thrive in the face of bullying and other negative societal pressures. It's a week of learning and self-actualization that changes kids for life.

“Some of our first students are now Youth Leaders and some of the programs early Youth Leaders have worked as staff, myself included," says Program Manager, Mollie Wolf. "They go back [home] and help resolve conflicts...they are becoming the leaders for their peers and for the next generation of kids." 

- Alberto Lima