Springfield Urban League Inc. ’s Post

If you're attending the National Assembly for Family Engagement this week, please join me at 3:00 tomorrow (Thursday) for what should be a dynamic and highly relevant session to help your school community reach new heights with family engagement. NAFSCE (National Association for Family, School, and Community Engagement) TalkingPoints #nafsce2024 #familyengagement #inclusionandbelonging #schoolchange #NAFSCE2024!

I want to share a project I've been working on for the last few months: a parent advocacy group called Families for Equity in Schools. Our initial goal is to advocate for lasting changes that fully fund Oregon schools. If you're in the Portland area, join us for our kick-off event on April 30th at Oakshire Brewing on NE 42nd Ave:   https://lnkd.in/gD4kqu6B What started as conversations on the walk to school has become an advocacy group in collaboration with my amazing friend / neighbor / fellow parent Elizabeth Doerr. In just a few weeks, we've connected with dozens of parents who are frustrated at the cuts our schools are facing, incredulous that our system for funding schools is so broken when we've known what the problems are for so long, and ready to do something about it. STEP ONE is getting our legislators and leaders to agree that we should fully fund our schools so students have what they need inside and outside the classroom. Feels simple to me, but apparently it's a big ask. We haven't adequately funded education in Oregon for over 40 years -- we're perpetually falling short by over $1 BILLON. Honestly, I'm not sure we ever did adequately fund schools in Oregon-- does anyone know? Of course, we also need to agree on what "fully funding" means, but to me it means that class sizes are manageable and all schools have art, music, and PE. It means that all school facilities exceed health and safety standards and meet the needs of students and families. It means that all students have access to special ed programs, speech pathologists, and mental and behavioral health supports. It means teachers and all the people who support our students are well compensated so we can attract and retain a great education workforce. In the very near term, we are facing cuts in Portland from a district budget that was already insufficient to meet our students' needs. My kids' school is facing the loss of 9 staff, impacting special education, counseling, classroom teachers, academic & building supports, and electives. Not great. And schools across the state are facing the same challenge. In the current budget environment, the reality is that there are no cuts that can be made that won't negatively impact students and families -- whether they are considered "inside" or "outside" the classroom. We can and should do better. Let's show our elected leaders that school funding and real, lasting fiscal solutions are winning political issues. Hope to see you on April 30! 

Our vision is empowered people, connected communities; limitless opportunities. In developing our vision statement, we consulted with parents and representatives from each arm of our service. Imagining we could not fail, we asked ourselves, what impact do we want to create for the families and children we serve? We strive to break barriers to participation, accessibility, and inclusion by empowering the individuals integral to a child’s or adolescent’s life through building capacity, education, advocacy and awareness. Our goal is not to burden our clients with the need to change, instead embracing their differences and focusing our efforts on influencing our local community to be more inclusive. We work to ensure that families feel a deep sense of connection to their community, whether at school, the local cafe, or through the support networks we help build among parents on similar journeys. And by doing all of this, we hope to create limitless opportunities for the children, adolescents and families we serve. We assume competency and set ambitious goals with our clients, aiming to exceed the limitations imposed in the past. Through our efforts, we envision a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and participate fully in their community. #emble #empoweringability #visionstatement

Building Worthington’s Future means building stronger communities, building stronger dialogue, and building more education around the community. Enhancing civic involvement and education is one way to build Worthington’s future. Although BWF doesn’t necessarily support the entirety of the views expressed in this article, it is worth sharing to speak to the importance of civic involvement and engagement in our community. Let us know what you think in the comments below!  https://lnkd.in/g5RrZXEX #buildingworthingtonsfuture #GrowWithBWF 

Preparing Special-Needs Kids for the Future — as We Did With Our Son Morgenthal: Parents should maximize their children's independence, be flexible, seek out other families, stay involved & enjoy the successes that come By Marion Morgenthal August 21, 2023 The views expressed here are those of the author. As the mother of a 37-year-old son with special needs living independently, I often reflect on our journey. Alex, an original member of the POINT (Pursuing our INdependence Together) residential community in White Plains, NY, is thriving beyond our expectations. Here are key lessons from our experience: Maximize Independence: Encourage self-reliance early on. Overprotection limits potential. We sent Alex to camp from ages 9 to 17, fostering leadership and independence. Be Flexible: Adapt as needs change. Alex transitioned from inclusive classrooms to a special needs boarding school, each providing unique growth opportunities. Seek Visionary Professionals: Find educators and mentors who focus on potential rather than limitations. Key figures in Alex's life included supportive school staff and proactive camp directors. Build a Community: Join forces with other families. We collaborated with others to create POINT, providing a supportive network for both Alex and us. Stay Involved: Actively engage in your child's education and development programs. Advocacy and support partnerships have been crucial. Celebrate Successes: Focus on achievements, big or small. Alex now leads a productive life with friends and community interaction, milestones that were once unimaginable. By fostering independence, adapting to changing needs, and building a strong support network, we’ve seen Alex flourish. Our journey underscores the importance of community, flexibility, and celebrating every success. #Autism #SpecialNeeds #Independence #InclusiveCommunity #Parenting #DisabilitySupport #ResidentialCommunity #SpecialEducation #AutismAwareness #FamilySupport #CommunityBuilding #AutismParents #IndependentLiving #SupportNetworks #SpecialNeedsHousing #InclusiveHousing #AutismAcceptance #VocationalSkills #SelfAdvocacy #DignityOfRisk #DevelopmentalDisabilities #Neurodiversity #LifeSkills #PeerSupport #Empowerment

Enhancing Youth Engagement Through Community Events Today, my wife and I had the privilege of walking through the incredible gingerbread house contest at the Allegheny Courthouse. What stood out to me most was the creativity and effort displayed by high school students and youth organizations who participated. This event reminded me how powerful community engagement can be, especially for our young people. To deepen this impact, imagine the county hosting a special evening dedicated to these youth participants—an opportunity to celebrate them and their contributions. Invite the mayor, county commissioners, police and fire chiefs, local businesses, and perhaps even a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Pirates, or Steelers. To make it even more meaningful, each contestant could receive a handwritten note from the county commissioners or their team, acknowledging the value of their creativity and encouraging them to continue building a better community. A small gesture like this can leave a lasting impression and inspire our youth to stay engaged and empowered. Let’s prioritize creating opportunities that recognize and encourage the next generation. They are, after all, the foundation of our community’s future. What other ways have you seen youth engagement amplified in community events? I'd love to hear your thoughts! #YouthEngagement #CommunityBuilding #PositiveYouthDevelopment #YouthEmpowerment #CreativityMatters #LeadershipDevelopment #BuildingTheFuture #CommunityLeadership #InspireYouth #PreventionMatters #YouthInAction #StrongerTogether #CelebrateCreativity

Our vision is empowered people, connected communities; limitless opportunities. In developing our vision statement, we consulted with parents and representatives from each arm of our service. Imagining we could not fail, we asked ourselves, what impact do we want to create for the families and children we serve? We strive to break barriers to participation, accessibility, and inclusion by empowering the individuals integral to a child’s or adolescent’s life through building capacity, education, advocacy and awareness. Our goal is not to burden our clients with the need to change, instead embracing their differences and focusing our efforts on influencing our local community to be more inclusive. We work to ensure that families feel a deep sense of connection to their community, whether at school, the local cafe, or through the support networks we help build among parents on similar journeys. And by doing all of this, we hope to create limitless opportunities for the children, adolescents and families we serve. We assume competency and set ambitious goals with our clients, aiming to exceed the limitations imposed in the past. Through our efforts, we envision a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and participate fully in their community. #emble #empoweringability #visionstatement

Family and community engagement greatly increases the likelihood that students will learn and thrive. Students are more prepared for school, more likely to achieve, and more likely to graduate when they are supported by schools, families, and communities working together in a coordinated manner. This 5th in our 6-part series of Family Academy will focus on the most impactful member of the support team for the child … “the parent”. You will hear from parents who have gone through the process of advocating for their child through middle school, high school, and college …

📚 From May to October 2024, Building Our Future’s Literacy Steering Committee surveyed 401 caregivers across Kenosha to better understand literacy practices and opportunities to support early-grade reading. The results provide a powerful foundation to address caregivers’ and students’ needs on their reading journeys. 🙌 𝐇𝐮𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞: Boys & Girls Club of Kenosha, Carthage College, KUSD, Wisconsin Reading Corps, KAFASI, Community Library, Kenosha Public Library, Kenosha Achievement Center, Kenosha Literacy Council, and United Way of Kenosha County. 📖 Dive into the insights here: https://lnkd.in/gpgErYyd #EarlyLiteracy #Partnerships #Kenosha #CommunityDriven #BOF

Georgia Appleseed’s impact spans the state. Over the years, our housing and education coalition meetings have brought advocates together in communities large and small, from Columbus and Augusta to Valdosta, Savannah, Brunswick, and Albany. These meetings unify diverse voices to tackle critical issues like housing stability, foster care reform, and equitable education policies. By coming to the table in cities and towns across Georgia, we’re building a statewide movement for justice and equity. Where is your city on the map? Join the conversation and help us drive change across Georgia. #StatewideImpact #JusticeAcrossGeorgia #20YearsOfImpact