YMCA of South Palm Beach County’s Post

It's the last friday of the year... Let's have some fun! 💃🏾 😊 Share your favorite youth empowerment quotes that can inspire the young ones. Let's see what you have in the comment section below. 👇🏾 #gysapeo #youthempowerment #empowermentquotes #funday #funfriday #fridayfeeling #funtime

This is such an important report. 16-19 bursary can help to reduce barriers to staying in education, but because of the strict rules about what it can be used for (it can’t be used for tutoring for example) it does absolutely nothing to reduce the attainment gap. If we are serious about closing the attainment gap and reducing the associated consequences funding cannot stop at 16.

What could £250,000 worth of government funding for children and young people achieve? Since 2021, I've been fortunate to participate in Holiday Activities and Food funding with two organisations. The importance of this funding cannot be understated as a lifeline for families struggling to find activities for their children while being affordable and receiving high-quality activities. Since starting with the funding in two schools in the Wyre Forest, my drive to deliver has supported the facilitation of over £250,000 worth of activities to local communities, fostering community safety, development, and most importantly positive childhood experiences! Whether it was the push for community outreach programs in the funding, the drive for community-inclusive events, the promotion of local organisations and individuals, or building a genuine connection between people and communities, I've done it all with this funding! In 2023, following a fantastic year and a half of HAF delivery and developmental practice, I led AYOS to be the community champion in West Midlands, championing over 8,000 organisations in the region. This summer is my last program with the HAF fund, which is being delivered at COACH in French Weir Park. I am now using this time to reflect on the highs and development areas of the fund, as I look to the future to find new opportunities to invest my skills and knowledge in smaller legacy projects, with locations that have already benefitted from the funding. So what about that £250k? It can do a hell of a lot if used right! Community development and support, growing local businesses and partners, investing in the future of children and young people, and delivering sensational childhood experiences! If I had my wish, I'd ask for the government to consider the renewal of this funding increased slightly to continue to support the organisations and families that need it the most.

Smaller tests of #guaranteedincome have yielded promising results. The widespread and well-documented success of paying out the #childtaxcredit on a monthly basis during the pandemic - and thereby creating a kind of guaranteed income - supports the premise that monthly cash infusions are effective at improving the lives of children and their families. This pilot is an exciting next step in proof of concept. Hats off to #California, Inland SoCal United Way, and their partners for this experiment in disrupting #inequity and its particular focus on pregnant women and #fosteryouth.

🚨NEW EPI REPORT: Implementing a 16-19 Student Premium🚨 📝Our new report, supported by Unbound Philanthropy, calls for a 16-19 'student premium' to tackle the sizeable attainment gap facing disadvantaged 16–19-year-olds. Read the full report👇 https://lnkd.in/dnGcatxU

Have you heard of the Life Chances Fund? 👀   Managed by The National Lottery Community Fund (on behalf of Department for Culture, Media and Sport), the Life Chances Fund has supported transformational projects all across the country – improving people’s lives using #personalised and strengths-based approaches, while saving the taxpayer money. 💪   Thanks to LCF’s funding, we and our partners have been able to design and deliver vital services across a number of policy areas – learning valuable insights along the way, and sharing these across the wider #policy and #outcomes ecosystem.   #StrongerFamilies, for example, uses therapy to keep families together and stop children going into care. 👪 Alongside Family Psychology Mutual CIC and Norfolk County Council, our local partnership has averted more than 175,800 days in care for children, contributing to better home experiences and improving overall life chances.   To learn more, take a look at DCMS’s recent explainer – which shines a light on a range of organisations creating #positive #impact across the country, with the Life Chances Fund’s support. Full video here ➡ https://lnkd.in/ehvf3gEd   Dr Tom Jefford Brigitte Squire MBE Mila Lukic Dr Rashid Almutairi Claudia Cheung Marie Pye Iciar Ania Elosua Elizabeth Garvin Wolohan Callum Sumpter #outcomespartnerships #socialinnovation

At Big Dreams & Bigger Hearts, we firmly believe that education is more than just learning; it's a powerful key that unlocks doors to new opportunities and brighter futures. 🗝 ⠀ Education assistance stands as a cornerstone of our program, providing those experiencing homelessness with the tools, knowledge, and skills needed to pave their way out of uncertainty and into a world brimming with possibilities. 🙌 ⠀ Help unlock potential. Support educational opportunities for those in need. 💜 🌐 https://lnkd.in/ey_ipkDm ⠀ #bigdreamsbiggerhearts #educationassistance #unlockopportunities #brighterfutures #empower #literacyforall #vocationaltraining #transforminglives #nonprofitimpact #makeadifference #educationalprograms #supportsystem #changemakers #giveback #volunteer #philanthropy #spreadawareness #donatetoday #jointhemovement #togetherwecan #breakthecycleofpoverty #educationispower #opportunity #skillbuilding #learning

A new research agenda to address the needs of dual-system youth was co-created by people with lived experience, practitioners, researchers, and funders: https://lnkd.in/g8mUt9sf #juvenilejustice #childwelfare 

🆕 Just published: "Towards an Effective and Financially Sustainable Approach to SEND in England." We are pleased to share the release of the independent report by Isos Partnership, commissioned by the County Councils Network & Local Government Association. This comprehensive study addresses the critical challenges facing the SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) system and outlines actionable recommendations for creating a more inclusive, effective, and financially sustainable approach. In the coming months, we look forward to convening discussions with our members and collaborating with stakeholders across the sector, including local authorities, parent groups, and other charitable organisations. These conversations will be crucial in ensuring that every child and young person receives an equitable educational experience. For now, you can dive into the full report and explore the findings and recommendations here: https://ow.ly/1MeW50SKWM9 Join us in this important journey towards a better future for SEND. Isos Partnership County Councils Network Local Government Association #SEND #EducationReform #InclusiveEducation #Collaboration #SENDReport #CommunityEngagement

At Big Dreams & Bigger Hearts, we firmly believe that education is more than just learning; it's a powerful key that unlocks doors to new opportunities and brighter futures. 🗝 ⠀ Education assistance stands as a cornerstone of our program, providing those experiencing homelessness with the tools, knowledge, and skills needed to pave their way out of uncertainty and into a world brimming with possibilities. 🙌 ⠀ Help unlock potential. Support educational opportunities for those in need. 💜 🌐 https://lnkd.in/ey_ipkDm⠀ ⠀ #bigdreamsbiggerhearts #educationassistance #unlockopportunities #brighterfutures #empower #literacyforall #vocationaltraining #transforminglives #nonprofitimpact #makeadifference #educationalprograms #supportsystem #changemakers #giveback #volunteer #philanthropy #spreadawareness #donatetoday #jointhemovement #togetherwecan #breakthecycleofpoverty #educationispower #opportunity #skillbuilding #learning