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WEBINAR TODAY at 3:00 PM ET -- "Future of Afterschool for Youth, By Youth". See below for details / To Register - #webinar #youthvoice #youthdevelopment #youthleadership #afterschoolprograms #educators #nonprofits #boysandgirlsclub #today #february2024 #teens

"By the age of 25, I didn't see the point in getting involved in public OR community projects and wanted to focus solely on business. But just five years later, I was leading a community of over 5,000 female entrepreneurs, launching IT training for 11,000 children, and mentoring 85 young professionals," shares Alina Shcherbyna, head of STEM IS FEM and the Generation UA Foundation. Reflecting on her experience, Alina highlights several key insights: ▪️ In the nonprofit sector, it's not the budget that defines the quality of a project, but the impact it creates. ▪️ Invest in young talent — while they may require guidance at first, you'll eventually gain a motivated, creative professional. ▪️ The civic sector enhances communication skills, helping you connect even with tech company founders. ▪️ Working with children is challenging, but the results are incredibly rewarding. Learn more about the importance of civic engagement for career growth, and the new course from STEM is FEM in Alina Shcherbyna's column: https://lnkd.in/efDf4daw

I have had the great honor to read 77 essays written by local middle school students for the Civics Bee competition. What I have learned, or what has been confirmed, is that kids have important things to say. In my new position as Exec. Director of the Buena Vista Chamber of Commerce, I have the opportunity to host the Civics Bee, an annual, nationwide event. I love this b/c I believe that an intergenerational civic dialogue is absolutely vital to a well functioning society and must be cultivated. The kids were asked to identify a problem in the community and explain how they would solve it. They wrote about problems that I also care about like bullying and violence in the schools, safe walking routes to school and around town, housing inequities and forest management, litter and environmental issues, ai and plagiarism, cultivating curiosity in the educational process, after school activities and clubs, discrimination at school, child care, health and wellness, and so much more. They are paying attention and collectively they know the problems that need to be solved and they've got great ideas to move us all forward into a better future.  I believe it's up to us adults to instill in the youth the knowledge that these problems can be solved. That we can do it. That we hear them and we see that's it's worth doing. We teach them by example, by taking the dialogue and the community needs seriously, by accepting no less than constant, collective improvement. We teach them to not become complacent and hopeless by celebrating together the possibilities and the successes that arise from robust civic dialogue. Civic Dialogue is hard. People often disagree and that's ok and good and that's how important conversations go and it's important to learn how to do it. That is why I am so pleased to be able create a safe space to share ideas, be heard, be inspired and to think about next steps towards addressing the real needs of our community and meeting the needs of our times. The top 20 finalists are now preparing for the live competition on April 14, 2024 at the Buena Vista Heritage Museum. The top 3 winners will go on to the statewide competition and the state winners go onto Washington, DC from there. It's kind of a big deal and last year a BV student took second in the state! That student is back in the local top 20 again this year so the bar is high for the live competition! This week, I invite you let a kid in your life know you hear them and respect their ideas. Be curious about something they are saying, or thinking, or feeling. Hide their phones and have a real conversation (haha) or in some way show them what's important to them, is important. 

Join Us in Empowering Future Leaders! I’m honored to serve on the advisory board at Minds Matter SoCal, an inspiring organization dedicated to transforming the lives of motivated students from under-resourced communities. What We Do: At Minds Matter SoCal, our work centers around four key areas that are essential to our students' success: 1. Mentorship: Each student is paired with a dedicated mentor who offers personalized guidance and support. Our mentors, who come from diverse backgrounds and professions, play a crucial role in helping students build confidence, set academic and personal goals, and develop the skills necessary for success. 2. Academic Enrichment: We provide a comprehensive curriculum designed to enhance students' academic skills. Our workshops cover critical thinking, writing, and test preparation, ensuring that students are well-prepared for challenges in school and on standardized tests. 3. College Preparation: Navigating the college application process can be daunting, especially for first-generation college students. Minds Matter SoCal guides students through every step, from researching colleges to understanding application requirements. 4. Financial Literacy and Scholarships: We believe that financial barriers should not prevent students from pursuing higher education. Our program educates students about financial aid options, scholarships, and budgeting for college expenses. Volunteer Opportunities: We are actively seeking passionate volunteers to help us in various capacities: ·     Mentors: If you have a desire to inspire and guide young minds, consider becoming a mentor. ·     Tutors: We welcome individuals who can offer subject-specific assistance. ·     Event Coordinators: Join us in planning and executing workshops, fundraising events, and community outreach initiatives. Ways to Support Us: Your support is invaluable and can create a lasting impact on our students' lives! ·     Financial Contributions: Donations directly fund our programs and scholarships, enabling us to reach more students each year. Every dollar counts and contributes to changing lives. ·     In-Kind Donations: We appreciate supplies, books, and resources that can aid our students in their studies. Your contributions help enhance their educational experience. Why It Matters: Education is a powerful tool that opens doors and creates opportunities. By supporting Minds Matter SoCal, you are helping to break the cycle of poverty and empower students to become the leaders of tomorrow. Your involvement can inspire hope and drive change in our community. Let’s work together to inspire and uplift the next generation! If you’re interested in volunteering or donating, please visit www.mindsmattersocal.org or feel free to reach out to me directly. Thank you for considering joining our mission! Together, we can create lasting change and help shape the future of our students.

What a great example of creating STRATEGIC IMPACT through Business & Community Collaboration! ❤️ It started as a simple "Lunch & Learn" event, hosted by Lin Adi & Credit Union of Texas - Plano, attracting over 70 Business, Community & Civic Leaders from the City of Plano, City of Frisco & #CollinCounty - a suburb of the City of Dallas. As Guest Speaker, I focused on "What is STRATEGIC IMPACT through Business & Community Collaboration & Why It Matters." As part of the program, a very generous Door Prize of a Credit Union of Texas FOOD TRUCK, was won by Kelley Thomas of #PTA. This photo captures that great event, now on a wall in a #CUTX Conference Room! Over several months of meeting with Kelley, brainstorming & looking at data of #PTAs in #CollinCounty, we created a vision & amazing program, leading to a Proposal, "Family Life Skills Fun Fair!" sent to prospect Corporate Partner Sponsors. Creating a PTA in ACTION Program, we focused on "Making Every Child's POTENTIAL a REALITY," a #NationalPTA slogan & goal. Credit Union of Texas was already a Corporate Partner Sponsor & through key deliberations, we tweaked our initial program to a more manageable project, with Credit Union of Texas being our Corporate Partner Sponsor - for which we are so grateful. Our initial concept may be woven into #PTA programming in the school year for Children & Parents, focusing on #FinancialLiteracy, #VisionBoarding & #LifeGoalsPlanning, #HealthWellness & more in STRATEGICALLY IMPACTFUL ways. The primary focus of our event will be "What is PTA & Why Is It Important?" Through a New School-Year Kick-Off Community-wide event next September, a "PTA Family Picnic Day" with fun activities including Face-Painting, Video Game Truck, DJ & Music, Community Booths & other fun activities, we will be bringing families together & showcasing #PTAMembership & the Importance of PTA. For many of us, we know through our own life experience in growing up in America & our parents'/Mom's engagement in our local PTAs, how important & valuable this School-Teacher/Administration-Parents-Children-Family-Home Connection truly is. It is part of the fabric of American Life & central to our local #Communities & #ChildrenEducation. However, in studying the data & demographics of Communities & Families in what I call Today's America, we realized that many parents today did not grow up with PTA as a Partner & Support in the School-Family-Home Connection. Many of Today's Parents may have come to America as Children & their Parents were not yet acclimated to American Life in these ways. That, in turn, has led to the decline of #PTA Memberships throughout America. Kelley Thomas, Lin Adi & I want to CHANGE & IMPROVE those statistics to STRATEGICALLY IMPACT the Lives of Children, Families, Communities, Public Schools & Society. Supporting the #NationalPTA's pillar of #FamilyEngagement, we are excited to create #STRATEGICIMPACT through Business & Community Collaboration. ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

Looking to elevate your institution's impact in the educational landscape? Participating in education fairs like the Georgia Black Expo EduFair 2024 offers more than just a booth – it's a gateway to growth and connection. Here's why: 1️⃣ Showcase Program Diversity: Stand out from the crowd and highlight the diverse array of programs your institution offers, attracting learners from all walks of life. 2️⃣ Engage with Potential Students: Dive into meaningful conversations with prospective students, sharing insights and answering questions to help them envision their future with your institution. 3️⃣ Networking with Partners: Connect with like-minded organizations, forging partnerships that can enhance educational offerings and create new opportunities for collaboration. 4️⃣ Promote Lifelong Learning: Embrace the spirit of lifelong learning by showcasing continuous education opportunities and resources available to students, alumni, and the community. 5️⃣ Community Engagement: Demonstrate your institution's commitment to community development by actively engaging with attendees, fostering connections, and supporting educational initiatives beyond the classroom. Ready to make a lasting impact? Reserve your institution's spot at the Georgia Black Expo EduFair 2024 today! #EduFair #CommunityEngagement #GBE2024

While the barriers to higher education are different from one person to the next, its value remains the same for people of all backgrounds. #montco #CommunityCollegeMonth #DEI #HigherEducation #MontgomeryCountyCommunityCollege #60thAnniversary

Sports should be co-curricular, not just extracurricular. When we integrate sports into the core fabric of youth development, we equip our children with essential life skills—discipline, teamwork, resilience—that go beyond the field or court. The measure of a strong community is its ability to provide diverse sports options for its youth. Take a look around your community. How vibrant is it? Can you hear the cheers of children playing, learning, and growing through sports? Those cheers are the heartbeat of a thriving community. When every child has access to participate, sports become a powerful tool for building character, fostering social-emotional learning, and shaping future leaders. That's why LEAD Center For Youth exists. We use a sports-based youth development methodology to ensure that sports are not just an activity but a vehicle for transformation. Many people know about our successful programs, but it's our methodology that drives that success. What do you see and hear in your community? Share your thoughts on how we can make sports more accessible for all.

Yesterday I was fortunate enough to be invited to The Brilliant Club's inaugural lecture given by Professor Sir Chris Husbands on social mobility past and present in higher education. His talk offered three main takeaways. Firstly, that accessible, inclusive and higher quality public education makes a profound difference. Secondly, that social mobility and social justice are not interchangeable and mean different things in different contexts. Thirdly, that education leadership that is generous, engaged and collaborative across institutions creates opportunities and openings. Importantly, our understanding of social mobility should be nuanced to accommodate the influence of place. It should also acknowledge that our understanding is always out of date given that we are constantly looking backwards in determining whether someone has been socially mobile. Chris’ emphasis on cross-sector collaboration in his talk, and chatting with colleagues afterwards, echo conversations we’ve had at AMOSSHE, The Student Services Organisation on the importance of collaboration in the sector. Many of our members are pro-active in seeking out examples of best practice from colleagues across the sector to improve student services provision at their institution. Speaking after the event to colleagues across secondary and further education provision, higher education providers, charities and the wider third sector was a great reminder that many of us working in this space are united in wanting to improve the experience of higher education for all students.