WHO WE ARE aMaze is a non-profit organization of parents, educators, and other caring adults working to create safe and respectful communities by promoting the knowledge, attitudes, and skills needed to work together across our differences.

WHAT WE DO aMaze challenges bias by providing skill-building exercises and starting courageous conversations through the Families All Matter Book Project in schools, faith communities, after-school programs, and anywhere else children are together.

aMaze also delivers presentations, staff development workshops, and consultation to groups seeking to cultivate their understanding of diversity.

FAMILIES ALL MATTER
The Families All Matter book project (FAM) is a tool for engaging children - and adults - in important conversations about diversity. Children are read picture books about family which cover themes of race, socioeconomics, aging, immigration, GLTB family members, divorce/break-ups/blending, adoption, religious differences, disability, and an introductory theme: "families ARE different". Follow-up discussion questions and activities encourage students to further explore the themes.

FAM's goal is to build skills for being together in respectful community - to create learning environments where all students, staff, and families experience belonging. FAM is a tool for meeting academic standards and supporting literacy, social studies curricula, and more. FAM also helps schools accomplish anti-bullying, school connectedness, and family involvement goals.

aMAZE HISTORY
In the fall of 1996 FAM, originally called Love Makes a Family, was launched in a second-grade classroom. Positive news spread, and soon every teacher in the school wanted FAM in their classroom. Teachers saw positive changes in student interaction and classroom climate. Students enjoyed hearing the stories, doing the activities, and learning about families together.

Soon other schools began to request FAM. Reader Trainings were initiated to prepare new teachers and volunteers to use FAM. In 2000, aMaze incorporated as a nonprofit. The Curriculum Guide for Families All Matter Book Project was published in 2002. In 2006 aMaze was awarded the Rainbow Families Award for making a "significant contribution in strengthening the community of LGBT families and/or advocating on their behalf" and the 2006 MN Council of Nonprofits Mission Award for Anti-Racism Initiatives. Since 1996, thousands of children in hundreds of schools, religious organizations and community groups have participated in the Families All Matter Book Project.

aMaze is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization