Center for Justice & Economic Advancement (JFF)’s Post

#WeCantWait: A Call to Action for Ed Equity This is not a presentation, listening session, city-wide plan, or workshop. #WeCantWait is a Call to Action for people to get to WORK on the things we know will make a difference in education. Only 13% of Black kids are reading on grade level. Attend to join one of the following committees to help attain educational equity and excellence in St. Louis Tuesday, April 23rd, University City Public Library, 6701 Delmar Blvd from 6:30-8:00 PM With only 13% of Black children reading on grade level our city schools are in a crisis. The results of this decades-long crisis can be seen in the poverty, violence, homelessness, and incarceration rates of our city. Children who struggle to read struggle to succeed. They have less opportunities for employment and college and so are more attractive candidates for crime and violence. We have known this for decades but have become hopeless that this will actually ever change. RSVP Here: https://lnkd.in/gButZiQc

Trust is foundational to successfully working in communities.

My oldest kid wants to be a lawyer when he grows up. Or a politician. Something where he gets to argue. (His words, not mine.) So we recently attended an info night for a local county Youth Court- an organization that I (incorrectly) assumed, was some sort of mock-trial club. When I tell you I was blown away by the work being done by this program... This is an actual diversionary justice program that keeps youth offenders avoid further involvement in the justice system... AND provides opportunities for restorative justice... AND gives other kids a chance to explore careers in all areas of the court system while gaining empathy and true understanding for the full picture of the lives of youth offenders.... AND has incredibly high success rates (91% of youth who participate are never involved in the justice system again)... AND these programs are just quietly existing in counties all over the country (1,150 of them) and many of us don't even know they're in our own backyards? There's a lot of talk about what needs to change in the world. And a lot of posting about it. This is just a reminder (ahem, to ME, because I sure needed it) , that there are also a lot of LEADERS who are quietly out there doing the work already. And some of us should probably just get out there and help them. More info on the specific group we learned about last week: https://lnkd.in/e9hZThiT

Attending an event in Plymouth tonight standing strong against hate. We won't let the racist mob win. ✊🏾 #UnityOverHate #StandAgainstRacism #StrongerTogether" Recognising Trauma Triggers for Black and Brown Communities - Racial Discrimination. Overt racism and daily microaggressions. - Police Brutality. Encounters with or witnessing violence by law enforcement. - Historical Trauma. The lasting impact of slavery, colonization, and systemic oppression. - Media Representation. Negative portrayals and lack of representation. - Economic Inequality. Barriers to education, employment, and housing. - Health Disparities. Discrimination in healthcare. - Immigration Issues. Fear of deportation and family separation. - Community Violence. Exposure to violence in the community. - Educational Inequities. Underfunded schools and discriminatory practices. - Environmental Racism. Living in polluted and neglected areas. Understanding these triggers is essential to support and heal our communities. #TraumaAwareness #MentalHealthMatters #SupportAndHeal

Unlikely Inspiration: Nicolas Cage in 𝗖𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗶𝗿 and 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻! Here are 𝟱 ways Nicolas Cage in Con Air promotes inclusive education: 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀: Like the characters on the prison plane, our classrooms are filled with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Inclusive education embraces and celebrates this diversity, fostering a rich learning environment for everyone. 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Just as Cameron Poe (Nicolas Cage) collaborates with a diverse group to overcome challenges, inclusive education emphasizes teamwork. Collaboration among students, educators, and parents creates a supportive community that benefits all learners. 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗱𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁: Cameron Poe shows compassion for fellow inmates. In inclusive education, recognizing and addressing individual needs is crucial. Tailoring support to each student ensures that everyone has the opportunity to succeed. 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗼𝘁𝘆𝗽𝗲𝘀: Con Air challenges stereotypes about prisoners, showing that individuals have unique stories. Inclusive education breaks down stereotypes about students, emphasizing their abilities and potential rather than focusing on labels or preconceptions. 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴: Throughout the film, there's an underlying theme of empathy. In inclusive education, fostering empathy and understanding creates a culture of acceptance, where everyone feels valued and appreciated. #specialeducation #disability #inclusion #epilepsy #theinclusivedad

Empowering communities to create equitable justice Young people deserve an equitable justice system that genuinely supports and uplifts them, enabling them to realize their potential and thrive. By working hand-in-hand with communities, we aim to eliminate youth incarceration, end overrepresentation of youth of color in the juvenile justice system, and develop healthy alternatives to punitive practices. Learn more: https://buff.ly/3X1mrZn

By recognizing and addressing the unique challenges formerly incarcerated people face, we can help these students overcome obstacles and pursue their academic dreams." - Kareemah Hanifa, @EdTrust’s Justice Fellow, shares a new blog. https://edtru.st/46anurq #JusticeImpacted

I had the opportunity to sit down with Stephen Jackson, a returning citizen having completed 12 years of a 25-year sentence in the prison industrial complex, and hear his story. Despite being aware that what he was doing was wrong, Stephen expressed that he simply wanted to be accepted. I've heard similar stories so many times in my work. The need to fit in, to feel like you're part of something, often leads people down the wrong path. Stephen's story hits home on that. His story shows us that the line between right and wrong can get blurry when you're outside looking in, just trying to find your place. And while this does not excuse the individual crime; it's also about what we're missing as a society. We need to look out for those signals, those cries for help, and answer them with opportunities and support, not just judgment. Behind all those numbers and headlines are real people, just looking for a way to belong. 🖋 Bio: Upon release, Stephen served at Oak Park Public Library where in 2016 he aided in the integration of Social Services into Public Libraries. In 2020 Stephen transitioned into the Manager of Teen Services where his restorative background supports the teen services offerings. In 2015 he founded Global CommUnity Associates, a consulting agency that uses restorative justice and practices to support agencies, organizations, and communities through engagement, training, and support. #incarceration #criminaljusticesystem #criminaljustice #justicetechnology #socialinnovation #socialimpact

Connecticut’s new Social Studies Standards degrade civics education, which will produce radical activists who hate their country rather than self-reliant citizens who love it. Read our latest report: https://lnkd.in/gCBhMaXC