Operation Breaking Stereotypes (OBS) is a non-profit, service-based organization working with schools in Maine and New York City to help students address ethnic, socio-economic, gender, and racial stereotypes through writing, reading, music, photography, and personal connections. Since its founding in 2002, OBS has worked with more than 750 Maine and New York City middle and high school students, facilitating exchanges between diverse groups of learners.
OBS exchanges typically involve a long weekend visit to the host community where students live with families, attend school, and connect with the community. OBS assists in planning the exchange, locating partner schools, and providing workshops and materials before, during and after the exchange.
While many programs attempt to build understanding and connections across international lines, OBS promotes understanding of differences within our own country between students who may not have the resources or time to commit to more expensive or longer programs. We reach the students who are least likely to move beyond their neighborhood to a greater understanding of "the other".
"OBS helped me not to judge people, to give people the benefit of the doubt and to truly listen to what they have to say before making any decisions about them." -- Orono student
"What I took home was a new perspective. Maybe even a new realization about the life I lead and the life that everybody my age is living and a lesson on how people are and what they can do." -- Bronx student