Alliance of New York State YMCAs, Inc.’s Post

https://lnkd.in/gS8Gtm9z Honouring mentorship and pondering the parallel universes in the now.

Corporate College recently had the incredible opportunity to host executive leaders from 100 Black Men of America, Inc. for their executive leadership retreat. I had the privilege of leading a session titled "Education's Post-Pandemic Evolution: What We Provide Matters," and later joined Herman Bulls, vice chairman and international director at JLL, to discuss "Organizational Leadership, Governance, and Impact." Educational leaders, how do you see the role of education evolving in the post-pandemic world? 

September is #AttendanceAwarenessMonth and Attendance Works has resources to help curb #ChronicAbsence. Learn how you can get involved in boosting #Attendance and #StudentEngagement through effective mentoring relationships: https://lnkd.in/eF6xhNsM

"Learning and being on Country is something of joy. It uses other senses that you don’t get in the classroom. All that social and emotional well-being comes into a First Nations education system. And so does love, because we love our children so deeply and country loves us so deeply, and that will show, which it doesn’t when you’re in the four walls of a classroom." 💛 - Stephanie Armstrong OAM, First Nations education expert and member of Utyerre Apanpe First Nations Education Network. #FirstNationsEducation #OnCountry #Aboriginal #AboriginalEducation

It's Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week (APAW)! 💡 Did you know...  ➡ An estimated 7.8 million young people participate in afterschool programs yearly in the U.S.  ➡ Over 850,000 highly skilled and valuable afterschool professionals work with young people during out-of-school time (OST).  ➡ Research shows that afterschool professionals are the key to program quality that mitigates risk factors and positively impacts youth outcomes.  ➡ Afterschool programs run by skilled professionals result in increased social and emotional skills, school attendance, and academic performance. Recognizing afterschool professionals isn't just about acknowledging their hard work; it's also about supporting their ongoing growth and development. Providing access to professional development opportunities, such as those offered by the Forum’s Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality, is crucial for enhancing skills and effectiveness in working with young people. For more information on APAW and how to show your appreciation from the National AfterSchool Association (NAA), visit: https://lnkd.in/gXhr8pkM #HeartOfAfterschool #OSTProfessionals  

I want to reshare this post I made earlier this month as the KJS Legacy Project works to raise $5,000 by the end of September to continue funding scholarships to students at Trumbull, CT and at American University. Please consider given to keep Kevin's legacy alive: On this 4th of July, we observed another sad milestone. It’s hard to believe, but it has been nine years since Kevin’s tragic passing. For his family and friends, the pain of our loss is still deeply felt. We miss his kind and caring nature and that big grin of his. He had prepared himself to do great things - to have a positive impact on the world. Kevin’s career was just starting. He had such a bright future ahead of him - so much that he wanted to accomplish. And because his life was interrupted, those of us he left behind have dedicated ourselves to carrying on his legacy - working to accomplish some of the things he never got to do. And that is what the KJS Legacy Project (KJSLP) is all about. To date, the KJSLP has helped to fund five scholarships in the AU School of Public Affairs, four internships on Capitol Hill, and two high school scholarships. This year, we seek to expand Kevin’s legacy with the goal of making our impact even greater through increased endowments at AU and by funding an endowment for the Trumbull High School Scholarship. Toward that end, we are launching the Summer 2024 KJSLP Outreach. During the months of July, August and September, we have set a goal of raising $5,000 to support our various programs. In talking with our scholarship recipients, it is clear that we are making a real impact on their career trajectory. Kevin’s life-story is a powerful example that these students relate to and use as a guide as they make decisions along the way in their life’s journey. With your continued support, we will continue to expand that impact and encourage more students to follow in Kevin’s footsteps seeking to create that more perfect Union our founders sought to create! Click here to make a donation or continue below to see what our recipients are saying. https://lnkd.in/ezY585h8

🌟 Witness the Impact: These are some of the heartfelt testimonials from mentors who participated in Skills for Life's New Age Mentorship Program. Together, we're shaping futures and empowering dreams. If you’d like to take part click the link in the bio to apply! #SkillsForLife #MentorshipMoments 🚀 Thank you to our funders in the Federal Government Emploi et Développement social Canada (EDSC) / Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), Foundation for Black Communities  Ontario Trillium Foundation City of Brampton City of Mississauga Canadian Red Cross and Mansha Plan Foundation

I have shared about this before - but AmeriCorps allowed me the opportunity to serve my community as a first-generation college student. I used my AmeriCorps Segal Award to make monthly payments on my excessive student-loan debt. It was a game changer as someone who had to work almost full-time as a student and couldn't take on any internships while in college. Consider sending a message to your senators about increasing funding to AmeriCorps for FY25. "These proposed cuts come during a difficult time when demand for AmeriCorps is greater than the funding available. In fact, what is needed is more funding – not less. Without increased funding in FY25, more than 34,000 AmeriCorps and 6,000 AmeriCorps Seniors positions will be eliminated next year. The House bill would serve a death knell, eliminating at least 71,000 AmeriCorps positions. Congress is facing some challenging decisions about spending priorities and that is why we need to urge them to support AmeriCorps. There is an explosion of needs in our country and now is the time to invest in AmeriCorps, not cut it." - Voices for National Service https://lnkd.in/erry9bmU

Picture this: my first job out of the gate was at the Nelson Mandela Institute for Rural School. Fresh off my stint as the first female President of the SRC at Fort Hare University, I was ready to dive into the world of innovative thinking with this stellar team. And oh, what a ride it was! Now, let me take you back to one unforgettable adventure. We were on a mission to visit schools in the rural heartland, and boy, did we encounter some wild scenes. Deep in the forests of Mqanduli, we stumbled upon a school that was, well, more of a jungle gym than an actual building. Prefab structures were the name of the game, but this particular one had a surprise in store: asbestos. Yes, you heard that right – the stuff of nightmares straight out of an Erin Brockovich flick. But wait, it gets better (or worse, depending on your perspective). As we cautiously ventured into the classrooms, we learned that the real danger wasn't just the asbestos – it was the snakes. Apparently, these slithery friends liked to cozy up in the insulation when things got toasty in the afternoons. Needless to say, our interviews were cut short as we high-tailed it out of there faster than you can say "snake charmer." Jokes aside, that experience sparked a fire in me to question the very foundation of our education system. Are we really equipping our kids with the tools they need to conquer the world? Are we making the most of our resources to ensure meaningful learning experiences? These are the questions that keep me up at night – and I'm betting I'm not alone. So, where are the leaders with the big ideas? Who's ready to shake things up and ensure that every child has access to quality education? The clock is ticking, and it's high time we start hearing some answers. Are you with me? 🔥 #BTWYRU #Voting #education #EducationRevolution #InnovativeLeadership #SnakesInSchools

❓ Why can't ethnic studies start as early as Kinder? Why wait until High School or College or never for some folks? 🌎Help us celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by sharing FREE lessons for K - 8th grade educators. ➡️Link and details are below. #HispanicHeritageMonth #EthnicStudies