SevenDays: Make a ripple, change the world

Following the April 13, 2014, tragedy at the Jewish Community Campus and Village Shalom, a group of caring individuals decided that they, as a community, have the power to outshine and overcome such senseless acts of hate. SevenDays is a challenge for young and old to embrace diversity across races, religions and cultures. Through three events — Faith, Love & Song, Faith, Love & Kindness and Faith, Love & Walk — the group hopes to promote understanding and encourage kindness to “Make a Ripple to Change the World.”

All events (except noted) are free and open to the public. {mprestriction ids="1,3"}Complete details, as well as sponsors and special discount shopping options, are available at www.givesevendays.org.

Day 1 —Tuesday, April 7

Theme: Love

Give a hug

Treat someone

Show kindness

Sponsored activity: Interfaith Council of Kansas City presentation — Several faiths — Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism — will have the opportunity to share their prayers, what they think about loving their neighbor and what they have in common with other faiths. The intent is to provide an opportunity to contribute to the community’s growing understanding of the religious pluralism of our area.

Location: Leawood City Hall (Oak Room)

7-8 p.m.

Day 2 — Wednesday, April 8

Theme: Discover

Explore a different culture/religion

Plan/attend a cultural event

Connect with someone new

Sponsored Activity: Sonia Warshawski, a Holocaust survivor, tells her story and about why forgiveness has helped her survive. (Must be at least 13 to attend.)

Location: Rockhurst High School (Rose Theatre)

7-8 p.m.

Day 3 — Thursday, April 9

Theme: Others

Do a good deed

Donate your time

Be a mentor

Sponsored activity: Jacqueline Murekatete, at the age of 9, was the only survivor from her family in the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Her story is about courage and overcoming adversity. She is internationally recognized in genocide prevention and as a human rights activist.

Tyrone Flowers, founder of Higher M-Pact in Kansas City, Missouri, understands how to find success despite growing up as a high-risk urban youth. Higher M-Pact offers intense, long-term mentoring for a select group of high-risk urban adolescents.

Location: Jewish Community Campus

7– 8:30 p.m.

Day 4 — Friday, April 10

Theme: Connect

Explore your heritage

Gather at the table

Reach out to others

Sponsored activity: Students at Blue Valley High School and Blue Valley North will have the opportunity to hear Jacqueline Murekatete speak. These events are not open to the public.

Day 5 — Saturday, April 11

Theme: Go

Enjoy the outdoors

Plan/attend a physical activity

Take a field trip

Sponsored activity: The Ali Kemp Educational Foundation’s “T.A.K.E. Defense” is partnering with SevenDays to host its self-defense training course for girls beginning at 12 years and women of all ages.

Location: Lifetime Fitness, 13800 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, KS

The event is free of charge thanks to donations from Alterra Bank and CBiz

Register through the T.A.K.E. Defense website: www.takedefense.org

Day 6 — Sunday, April 12

Theme: You

Take time for personal growth

Be proud of yourself

Do something for you

Day 7 — Monday, April 13

Theme: Onward

Act beyond today

Make kindness a habit

Change the world

Sponsored activity: Peace Walk

Route is from Jewish Community Campus (Campus) to Church of the Resurrection (COR)

4:30 p.m.: Parking at COR, 13720 Roe Ave, Leawood (secondary location at Sprint); shuttles will run from the church to the Campus, 5801 W. 115th St., where walk begins

5 p.m.: Registration at Jewish Community Campus

6 p.m.: Walk begins

8-8:45 p.m.: Celebration at COR will include performance of winning song compositions, candle lighting and more.{/mprestriction}