The Ever Forward Club’s Post

Yesterday, I had the honor of being one of three speakers on a roundtable panel for the Washington State PTA, focused on FACE (Family and Community Engagement) and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion). As panelists, we shared our stories, including how our DEI efforts have resulted in national recognition (Jan Harp Domene Award). One of the most meaningful discussions centered on the barriers to family engagement and how PTAs can better reach those who aren’t currently involved. We explored creative strategies for breaking down these barriers and making every family feel welcome and valued within their school communities. Another powerful conversation revolved around the role of DEI in leadership. We examined whether the work of fostering equity and inclusion could still thrive without explicitly naming it in titles or job descriptions. It was an important reflection on how we can reframe roles to ensure the focus remains on the mission, even as some communities wrestle with the terminology itself. Through these discussions, one theme stood out: the strength of collaboration. Progress in DEI isn’t achieved in isolation. It’s built on trust, shared purpose, and a willingness to adapt and innovate. It was a privilege to share this space with such dedicated leaders, and I left inspired by their commitment to creating equitable, inclusive environments in schools across the state. Together, we’re proving that real change is possible when we prioritize connection and understanding. Brena Gattuccio Elizabeth Pendzick #DEI #Advocacy #TogetherforKids #FACE #PTATakesAction #WSPTA #lwptsacouncil #JanHarpDomene #PeterkirkPTSA

My first experience with an inclusive school completely changed my life.  With inclusion, every child can interact, belong, and learn alongside their peers - one of the greatest joys of childhood. Let’s continue to create a world where every child has this opportunity. My book explains more about this: https://a.co/d/4Kj87Bd #Inclusion #DisabilityBooks #BookRecommendations #IEPmeeting #IEP  #DevelopmentalDisabilities

Today's Chrysalis After-School Facilitator highlight is Stephanie Smith. Stephanie has 10 years of experience as a Facilitator. Here is a brief Q&A with Stephanie highlighting her experience. What is your favorite topic to cover in your Chrysalis After-School group? "My favorite topic to cover in Chrysalis After-School is personal empowerment." What do you wish people knew about the girls you work with? "I wish more people knew that the girls in Chrysalis After-School are so incredibly resilient and have so much to offer this world." What is your Chrysalis After-School Facilitator superpower? "My superpower is providing each girl with the sense of belonging." What is the most important thing for girls to have when they leave Chrysalis After-School? "All girls that participate in the Chrysalis After-School program leave with a greater Self-Awareness." Thank you, Stephanie, for your time and commitment to empowering young women within central Iowa!

New study explores White mentors’ beliefs about racial/ethnic discrimination - https://lnkd.in/eHZvW747 Editor’s note: Connecting with one child through a mentoring program can illuminate the pernicious effects of racial/ethnic discrimination, potentially mobilizing more sustained authentic action. Mentors’ negative stereotypes of disenfranchised groups are challenged by the many sources of strength in minority families neighborhoods. In other words, through proximity, mentoring helps challenge dominant narratives and make us, in Mead’s words, “informed advocates for the needs of all children.”  This new study, suggests highlights this potential.  ++++ Savannah B. Simpson, Ti Hsu, Elizabeth B. Raposa (2023). Trajectories and impact of White mentors’ beliefs about racial and ethnic discrimination in a formal youth mentoring program. American […] The Chronicle of Evidence-Based Mentoring

✨ Second Chances Matter: Intentional Support in Juvenile Justice ✨ In the realm of Juvenile Justice, the concept of second chances is not just an act of kindness—it’s a meaningful and intentional effort to reshape futures. Creating systems that offer a future orientation for our youth enables them to envision and live a life filled with purpose and potential. When we provide these opportunities, we are committing to a journey of not judging, but leading. We guide our youth towards paths of growth, understanding, and contribution to society. This is our reasonable service—to extend our hands, open our minds, and foster environments where young individuals can thrive. Let’s champion the cause of second chances, recognizing that every young person deserves the opportunity to rewrite their story. Together, we can build a society that believes in redemption and the power of purposeful living. 🌟 #JuvenileJustice #SecondChances #YouthEmpowerment #Leadership #FutureOrientation #PurposefulLiving #CommunitySupport

Happy International Day of the Boy-Child 2024. May 16th of every year is a day set aside to celebrate the boy-child and this year's theme is "Boys; Teaching Boys How to Manage Anger and Aggression". The International Day of the Boy Child is a time to celebrate the unique experiences and challenges faced by young boys. As parents, educators, and mentors, it's our responsibility to ensure that boys are equipped with the tools they need to navigate the complexities of growing up. One crucial aspect of this is teaching boys how to manage their anger and aggression in healthy, constructive ways. Anger is a natural emotion, but left unchecked, it can lead to harmful behaviors that can have lasting consequences. By guiding boys to identify and express their feelings in appropriate manners, we can help them develop the emotional intelligence and self-control necessary to thrive. Through open communication, role-modeling positive conflict resolution, and providing outlets for physical and creative expression, we can empower boys to become the compassionate, resilient leaders of tomorrow. This International Day of the Boy Child, let's commit to nurturing the unique strengths and potential of our young men, ensuring they have the support they need to grow into their best selves. #internationaldayoftheboychild #genderequality #sdg5

We’re excited to hear from Caitlyn, a student from Waterbury Arts Magnet School, about her journey with Jane Doe No More and her involvement in our Teen Initiative project. Caitlyn shares valuable insights about what she’s learned and how these experiences have shaped her understanding of consent and healthy relationships. Educating teens on these vital topics is crucial. By empowering the younger generation with knowledge about consent, respect, and healthy interactions, we can help foster a culture of safety and support. Caitlyn's commitment to spreading awareness shows that teens can be powerful advocates for change. They have the potential to lead conversations in their communities, challenge harmful stereotypes, and create a safer world for everyone. Join us in celebrating the voices of young leaders like Caitlyn. Together, we can build a future where respect and understanding are at the forefront of every relationship. Consider bringing our Teen Initiative video to your classroom through our Safe Student Initiative: https://lnkd.in/eyJAdSDm . . . . #TalkingWithTeens #ConsentEducation #HealthyRelationships #EmpowerYouth #SaferWorld #TeenInitiative #JaneDoeNoMore #JohnDoeNoMore #AdvocateForChange #YouthLeadership #KnowledgeIsPower

We’re excited to share a valuable resource from the NMRC for anyone involved in mentoring! 📚✨ Check out the newly created video guide on mentoring BIPOC girls, crafted using a youth participatory action method. Authored by two passionate youth researchers from the Youth Mentoring Action Network, this guide offers crucial insights and specific considerations for practitioners and mentors. It's designed to help better understand the unique challenges and strengths of BIPOC women and girls, as well as what good mentoring programs and practices look like. 💡 Dive into this important resource at 🔗https://bit.ly/4i4HzGG #MentoringAmplifies #BIPOC #YouthEmpowerment

Rethinking Relationships and Bias in Early Childhood, by Olga Lacayo and Eliana Elias https://lnkd.in/g-PyUkFa "What have you done to help children as they develop their self identity and an understanding of racial differences?" "If we don't respond to their curiosity about diversity, about their encounter with diversity, it can turn into bias. It can turn into racism. And therefore it is really important that we are vigilant, that we are aware, and we respond when we need to respond because children have a limited knowledge about life and about the complexity of life, and we, as educators, have to be there in order to support them." "Engage in more conversations, listen to others, and invite others to have this conversation as we move forward to create that better environment, this better future or better opportunity for all children."

On this Children's Day, we celebrate the potential of young minds and the importance of guiding them toward a future built on respect and peaceful resolution.✨ Empowering youth with these values shapes not just individuals, but a more harmonious society. Let's nurture tomorrow's leaders today. 🌍 #ChildrensDay #EmpoweringYoungMinds #ConflictResolution #FuturePeacemakers #YCM #YouCanResolveIt