By Imran Sumar
What is Unity Club?
Unity Club aims to break down social barriers between individuals with disabilities and individuals without disabilities in the Richmond School District. Richmond has embraced the concept of inclusive education where students with disabilities are supported within the general school curriculum, however socially students with disabilities may feel isolated amongst the general school population. Unity club makes an effort to build friendships and share experiences – allowing students to get to know the person before the disability.
When did it begin?
Unity Club began at Richmond Secondary School in 2008, led by Imran Sumar, a grade eleven student. Imran and his friends began spending their lunch hour in the resource room (a room where individuals with disabilities were supported) and organized small activities such as musical chairs, pictionary, holiday themed events, and more. The lunch hour visits soon expanded and the first Unity Club at Richmond Secondary School was formed. Since it’s inception, Unity Club has now spread to several high schools across Richmond.
Who is involved and what are the club goals?
The club runs in almost every high school in Richmond and has been active at Anderson Elementary led by Mrs. Haley Borthwick. The club as a whole is led by sponsor teachers Eve Minuk at MacNeil Secondary, Clare Scott at Hugh Boyd, Lisa Sugihara at Richmond Secondary School, Lisa Zuccolo, Jana Lee, and Margaret Jacobs at Burnett Secondary, Emily Tan and Celeste Miller at Cambie Secondary, and the Founder Imran Sumar. The hope is that Unity Club will continue to expand to every school in Richmond and even further.
Unity Club 