racial equity

The MERCY project will focus on 41 distressed counties in and bordering the Mississippi Delta, with high concentrations of systemic segregation that pervades daily life. Having recognizing that many communities within these targeted counties continue to operate completely segregated recreational parks and youth sports/summer programs, the project will facilitate indigenous dialogue leading to action replacing the segregated systems with united, integrated facilities, parks and programs.

Project funding will be used for implementing this pilot project including staff, conflict resolution leaders, advisory leadership as well as conducting surveys, grant writing for infrastructure (as new, neutral sites for parks and athletic fields will likely be required), in addition to resource needs for development of faith councils, youth leadership groups and initial grasstops dialogue. Finding a common ground through sports and recreation, the project outcomes will include new cross-cultural relationships, community-wide dialogues, and sustained facilities and programs.