College offers 'Safe Zone' training

To help educators and school officials achieve equality and safety at their schools, McHenry County College is offering "Safe Zone" training, from 2:30 to 5 p.m. Sept. 27 in Room A240 at MCC, 8900 Route 14, Crystal Lake.

MCC joins a growing number of colleges and universities to provide "Safe Zone" training as part of a commitment to equality and safety on campus. The training assists educators and school employees in promoting a positive and supportive environment for students who are gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgendered.

Participants will learn how to create a "safe zone" at their schools. The presenter is Peter Ji, Ph.D., research assistant professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago's Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning and investigates assessment issues at the elementary and high school levels.

He received his doctorate in counseling psychology from the University of Missouri. According to Ji, Safe Zone is designed to heighten awareness of sexual and gender identity issues and concerns. Ji will provide factual information and correct misinformation on the topics of sexual and gender identity, along with discuss strategies to reduce hostility regarding gender identity issues and will give participants the skills and resources to guide their own developing awareness of gender issues and to make appropriate referrals, when needed.

"Safe Zone training is designed to put a human face on human issues," Ji said.

Ji, a Safe Zone trainer, has given conference presentations about Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays and serves on several Chicago area PFLAG chapters as a leader or officer.

The training is free of charge. For more information or to register, call Lesley Frederick, dean of students at MCC, at (815) 455-8734.