Smiles Against Hate, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, is changing its name to Smiles For Diversity*. Along with the name change comes a change of focus for the non-profit organization. By focusing on diversity, the organization begins a positive, child-centered program involving original, educational comic and coloring books.
Based in the dental community, the non-profit will work with participating national dentists and dental schools to distribute the educational materials through waiting rooms and community dental health events. The first book produced by the non-profit, a comic book titled Scrapyard Detectives, focuses on the positive impact diversity has on a community when faced with a potential racial incident. The book is designed for 8-15 year-olds and features an online resource for children to learn more about diversity and preventing hate.
Later this year, Smiles For Diversity plans to introduce two coloring books -- one designed for 5-8 year olds and one designed for pre-readers -- showing the world is made of diversity and how differences help all of us.
The organization focuses on the dental community as a way to reach a broad range of children. Dr. Dan Fischer, president of Ultradent Products, Inc, created the non-profit organization in response to a rash of high-profile hate crimes and the need for one person to do something to turn the tide. Dr. Fischer believes stopping hate is like preventative dentistry -- early intervention and education can eliminate a lifetime of pain and problems.
More information on Smiles For Diversity can be obtained from their web site: www.smiles-for-diversity.org. Scrapyard Detectives can be previewed at www.scrapyarddetectives.com.
