The project was started with Project Understanding in 1968 by a Black woman in Mississippi and a white law student of the University of Wisconsin, both of whom were very active in the civil rights movement in the South. They found that a great deal of myth existed about each others' culture. A number of families in the South were interested in having their children learn more about the North and its people. The law student placed an ad in a Madison, WI newspaper asking if any families were interested in hosting a Black child for three weeks during the summer. Quite a lot of people responded and since then the program has continued to grow so that thousands of children and families have participated.

In January of 1970, 10 Wisconsin college students went to Mississippi and stayed with Black families for two weeks. These students worked in Headstart Centers, taught Black History and visited a number of schools. In March of 1971, PSA was formed because it was apparent that much more could be done in a project not limited to a child exchange program. Several hundred people are directly involved each year.

Our first priority is helping our two cultures see each other realistically. Mississippi children fill out applications and given them to the Mississippi coordinators. We, in turn, select children to stay with Wisconsin families. Children participate in normal family life of their host. The same child(ren) generally return to that family year after year. Many Wisconsin families visit their Mississippi families when they travel to Mississippi as PSA bus drivers or chaperones or visit them other times of the year on their own. Many lasting friendships are built.

Mississippi coordinators say the benefits to the children are obvious, and they are overwhelmingly in support of the project. The children gain in the cultural exchange and become better adjusted in school. This program has been particularly successful in working with both Black and White children because prejudices are more easily broken down and prevented with children. The host families often gain as much or more in valuable insight and understanding than the children, an aspect sometimes overlooked.

Orientation meetings for new Wisconsin host families are held around the state as needed or requested. PSA does numerous information presentations to schools, colleges, churches and other community organizations and groups. PSA has a DVD slide show and photo display and is happy to arrange a speaker or presentation for your group. A newsletter is published which details past and current activities, and the summer child exchange bus schedule.

Although our main thrust appears to be in Mississippi, this is not our only concern. Hosting Black children and adults in our homes, and living and working with Black people in their homes in Mississippi often is the means of awakening us to the injustices and needs of people everywhere, especially those in our own community.

We are a people-to-people project dedicated to helping people to help themselves, and to help each person realize his or her own dignity as a person.

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