Date/Time
December 5, 2016
7:30 am

Location
Trinitarian Congregational Church

The Nature Connection was honored to receive the “Climate for Freedom” Award on December 5, 2016 From the Concord-Carlisle Human Rights Council

This award is given biannually to an organization in our community for its work in promoting a climate of respect for individuals and their families, and for recognizing that all individuals deserve equal access to basic human rights.

Executive Director Sophie Wadsworth was featured speaker at the award ceremony during the CCHRC’s annual Human Rights Day breakfast.

Sophie Wadsworth, Executive Director of The Nature Connection, accepts the Climate for Freedom Award from Rob Morrison (left) and Ronnie Olitsky (center), Co-Chairs of the Concord-Carlisle Human Rights Council.

About the Concord-Carlisle Human Rights Council and the  “Climate for Freedom Award”

The Concord-Carlisle Human Rights Council is a community organization of volunteers working together to foster respect, understanding, good will, and conciliation among individuals and groups in the community. It is dedicated to the belief that all people are entitled to dignity and respect. The role of the Human Rights Council is one of education and advocacy. The CCHRC sponsors year-round events including an annual Holocaust Memorial Observance, and Open Lecture series on issues of human rights, and active support and advocacy for the METCO program in Concord public schools.

In 1995, the Concord-Carlisle Human Rights Council created its bi-annual “Climate For Freedom” award to be given to an organization in Concord or Carlisle to recognize that group’s special achievement in advancing human rights at the local level. In order to meet the criteria for the Climate For Freedom award, the organization must have made an outstanding contribution in at least one of the following areas: advocacy to protect the rights of a specially disadvantaged group or victims of a human rights crime; reaching out and including a minority group in its programs; promoting cross-cultural understanding; or, promoting understanding and accord between parties in conflict.

The Nature Connection exemplifies these principles in its work with at-risk youth, people with disabilities and elders. Founded in 1983, the organization brings live animal and nature programs to people with limited or no access to the outside world.