OUR MISSION STATEMENT
Our mission is to fundraise, raise awareness, and support those with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Bucks County.
Follow us on Instagram @crn.openarms for frequent updates! Click on a post below to see our profile.
50+
active high school volunteers
people reached with
the End the R-word Campaign
1,000+
Spread the Word to End the Word Campaign (End the R-word Campaign)
What is this campaign?
The Spread the Word to End the Word Campaign (End the R-word Campaign) is a national Special Olympics program. The campaign "asks people to pledge to stop saying the R-word as a starting point toward creating more accepting attitudes and communities for all people" (www.r-word.org). The Open Arms Club initiated the first Bucks County high school campaign in the spring of 2017.
Why is the r-word hurtful?
The r-word is exclusive.
When you say the r-word, you are also saying:
“I am actively excluding you from my group.
You are something that I would never want to be.
You will never be inside our 'in' group.”
The r-word equates intellectual disability with being dumb or stupid.
By saying the R-word in a joking or derogatory way towards our friends or peers, what we mean is:
“You’re just as stupid as someone who is mentally handicapped. The only characteristic of mentally handicapped individuals is their stupidity.”
The r-word spreads pain.
Using the r-word is painful not just to those with disabilities, but also to family members, teachers, and peers who are related and/or supportive of this special part of our community
What have we done to raise awareness?
The Open Arms Club first launched the End the R-word Campaign at Council Rock North in March of 2017. We hosted a pledge week, in which students and staff could learn about the campaign, make their pledge, and sign their name on our campaign banner at our booth. Sponsored by Special Olympics, free End the R-word shirts, wristbands, and other merchandise were given out. It was amazing to see the support and enthusiasm from the CRN community. Our campaign made such a large impact that the End the R-word banner was put in the CRN lobby, an article from Bucks Local News about our event was published, and CR superintendent Dr. Fraser and other administration tweeted about our club.
In addition to the high school pledge week, our online presence has been widespread. CR parents' forum on Facebook has posted about us, and we began an Instagram trend of #endtherword and #embracedifferences within our CR student body.
During spring of 2018, the campaign expanded to the elementary school level in hopes of building a habit of respect amongst younger children. Speaking to all students in grades 4-6 at Sol Finestone Elementary, 20 Open Arms members carried out R-word workshops in classrooms. Students learned about the importance of using people-first language.
Open Arms has not only reached out to the CR school community, but also to others in the Bucks County area. At each annual Exploration for All event, Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl for Kids' Sake fundraiser, and the Special Olympics Track Meet, we have held a pledge booth.
Currently, Open Arms is conducting workshops at Newtown Middle School. The initiative will be completed in early spring of 2019.
As of now, we are so proud to say that we have reached out to over 1,000 people with our message. See our "Events" page for pictures.
How can you approach someone who uses the R-word?
Try to stay calm and collected and understand the reason he or she disagrees with you.
Provide some points about the harmful and hurtful effects of using the R-word, and even share a personal story about why the R-word is hurtful to you if you can.
Can't answer a question? Feel free to direct the individual to www.r-word.org
What can you do now?
Make a pledge today at www.r-word.org!