Grand Street Settlement’s Post

Seeing work focusing on Black male achievement continue is amazing. The Mayor's Office of Black Male Advancement is doing great work. In STEM we must do better supporting organizations embracing the brilliance of Black men and boys as they are woefully underrepresented in all aspects of STEM. The Hidden Genius Project Black Boys Code Mission Fulfilled 2030 "Only approximately 1% of individuals enrolled in graduate engineering programs in the United States are Black males (American Society for Engineering Education, 2020; Burt et al., 2018). Alarmingly, the small number of Black males earning doctoral degrees in engineering has steadily dwindled over time (American Society for Engineering Education, 2019). In research on practices that impact Black males’ participation and retention in engineering, little attention is paid to their educational aspirations; however, much is known about the multitude of problems and barriers they experience in their graduate programs. Being forced to endure stereotypical and racialized experiences in the admission process and throughout their programs from non-Black peers and advisors (Burt et al., 2019a), while having to work twice as hard to be recognized and sacrificing school/ life balance as a result (McGee et al., 2019), Black males are prevented from entering or are pushed out of engineering. Moreover, even for those with an early penchant for engineering (Burt and Johnson, 2018; McGee et al., 2016) the accumulation of these barriers impacts their ability to construct an engineering identity (Benjamin et al., 2022) and hampers the socialization process needed to assume their desired professional role (Johnson and Strayhorn, 2022). Tasked with simultaneously navigating a hostile institutional environment and proving their competence, some Black males may find the cost of pursuing postsecondary education too high." Citation: Burt, B. A., Stone Jr, B. D., Porter, T., & Wallace, J. D. (2023). ASPIRING TO THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED: FACTORS INFLUENCING BLACK MALES’PURSUIT OF ENGINEERING GRADUATE DEGREES. Journal of Women and Minorities in Science and Engineering, 29(5).

In creating the Bloomsburg Area YMCA - Community Resource Hub, our team has created five distinct goals that we aim towards every single day so that we can best serve ALL of Columbia and Mountour County residents. The official unveiling of the CRH is coming soon, but in the meantime, our team is preparing by doing all we can to best understand the resources available. GOALS: 1. Create a Community Hub that is designed to meet the everchanging needs of the community and provide safe, confidential services that strengthen family life and individual growth. 2. Serve more people through programs and services that fulfill community needs by being the premier provider of community programming. 3. Provide more Y-based counseling and services for children and adults in schools, homes and the community. 4. Foster connections between the YMCA and the Community by becoming a preferred community partner. 5. Broaden the ability to serve a larger audience by providing the resources needed in the community.

Introducing our first Impact Report! This past year was a monumental one. We merged two of Philadelphia’s strongest educational nonprofits - Philadelphia Futures and Steppingstone Scholars - and became Heights Philadelphia. During our first year as Heights, we served more than 3,000 students from middle school to college with staff embedded in 23 schools across the School District of Philadelphia. This report encompasses the transformative impact of Heights’ programming and features stories of those at the core of our work, students and alumni.  We also highlight partners who have been critical to our success.  Click here to view our Impact Report: bit.ly/HeightsImpactReport #ReachNewHeights #HeightsPhilly #HeightsImpactReport #HeightsCommunity #HeightsStudents #HeightsHighlight

The City of Danville is excited to announce matching grant funding for registered Neighborhood Associations located within Danville. The Neighborhood Association Matching Grant Program (NAMGP) offers $100 - $2500 Matching Grants for Neighborhood Improvement! Purpose: To engage neighborhood members in volunteer service to address important, small-scale needs. These improvements are generally too small for city government to prioritize, but too large for a neighborhood to independently address. With this program, people will get to know neighbors, take ownership of their neighborhoods, and find pride in the place where they live. We are hopeful that the NAMGP will increase Neighborhood Association activity in the City of Danville, empowering them to complete projects in their communities to enhance their quality of life and the overall quality of life for the citizens of Danville. We want to foster strong and vibrant communities along with camaraderie in neighborhoods. It is our hope that Neighborhood Associations will engage with this program annually, with a chance at improving their neighborhood bit by bit, year upon year. As pride grows in neighborhoods, we hope that community members will spend more time walking and working outside, keeping their yards clean, and continually improving their properties. The NAMGP will serve as a tool to build strong relationships between the city government and neighborhood residents while developing neighborhoods and helping them thrive. By providing resources and concrete services to address self-identified neighborhood priorities, this program fosters a sense of trust and partnership between the city and its constituents while making lasting change throughout the city. Read the full news story here: https://lnkd.in/g3_hGCJK

Child care is one of the largest barriers to mental and economic well being for American families.  20% of Americans are negatively effect by the lack of affordable child care. Child care cost effect families of all economic levels, social statuses and levels of family access. More then 3/4th of job seekers in the WMI market cite affordable childcare as a major obstacle to employments. That is the statue que, and that is not acceptable.

POOF is a non-label organization that supports all teens who aspire to achieve greatness. We do not categorize our teens as "at-risk" in our program. We provide a safe space for teens dealing with various issues, including straight-A students, foster care students, teens affiliated with certain groups, those from two-parent households, single-parent households, and those who are independent. We work with black and brown teens and offer five different programs within our space: an all-girl group, all-boys group, Bible study group, GED program (all free of charge), and a dance program tailored to meet parents' budgetary constraints. These programs cater to the needs and interests of the youth we serve, providing them with valuable resources and support. I cover the costs for teens to be in a safe environment, ($67,000 a year just in building cost alone )so instead of starting from scratch, we ask for the funding needed to achieve the results the city desires. Our lease is ending in February, and unless we receive the necessary support, our doors will close as I take the next step in investing in the youth of Durham, as I have been doing out of my own pocket for the past three years. Everyone is calling, everyone is referring , we are taking them and we are getting the results. Imagine what we could do with funding. Full article in comments.

#STRATA9 is dedicated to fostering social and economic mobility for all members of the American populace. The McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility’s new report explores the impact of place on Black residents’ life outcomes across seven distinct profile communities. It emphasizes the pivotal role of geographic location in perpetuating inequitable economic prospects and impacting physical and mental well-being, overall quality of life, and sense of community inclusion for Black residents. The report shares a shocking statistic: At the current rate of progress, it would take between 110 and 320 years to eliminate outcome disparities between White and Black residents. How can we, as a country, expedite efforts toward equitable access to a higher quality of life for Black Americans? 1. Invest in initiatives within specific communities: Prime examples include the Harlem Children's Zone, East Baltimore Development, Inc. (EBDI) Initiative, Atlanta’s East Lake Foundation, and San Diego’s City Heights Community Development Initiative. National nonprofits, philanthropic investors, and government entities can support these local efforts. 2. Create affordable housing in low-poverty neighborhoods: Roughly half of all renter households nationwide spend more than 30% of their income on housing; a quarter spend more than 50%. Black residents are less likely to own homes and more likely to be cost-burdened. 3. Provide early childhood education: High-quality early childhood development programs can change the trajectory of disadvantaged Black children’s lives. Formal childcare and pre-K also can be critical to parents’ ability to work and provide for their families. Learn more about the report here: https://mck.co/3HZbPSG #EconomicMobility #EconomicOutcomes #Careers #Equity #AffordableHousing #EarlyChildhood #Education #BHM #blackhistorymonth

#Day-7 Lets hear some stories around #CommunityCenters Origin of Settlement Houses: One of the earliest forms of community centers emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with the establishment of settlement houses. These were innovative social institutions that provided support and resources to immigrants and low-income families in urban areas. One notable example is the Hull House in Chicago, founded by social reformer Jane Addams in 1889. It offered a wide range of services, including childcare, education, healthcare, and cultural activities, becoming a model for community centers worldwide. The Power of Neighborhood Libraries: Many community centers include public libraries as integral components. Libraries serve as more than just repositories of books; they are vibrant hubs for learning, creativity, and social interaction. For example, the Ferguson Municipal Public Library in Missouri gained international attention for its role as a sanctuary and gathering place during the unrest following the shooting of Michael Brown in 2014. The library stayed open during protests, providing a safe space for residents to access resources, engage in dialogue, and find solace during a tumultuous time. Community Centers as Catalysts for Change: Community centers often serve as catalysts for positive change within neighborhoods. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the Ashe Cultural Arts Center in New Orleans became a beacon of resilience and recovery for the city's African American community. The center provided essential services, hosted cultural events, and supported grassroots efforts to rebuild and revitalize the surrounding area, demonstrating the transformative power of community-led initiatives. Innovative Programs and Partnerships: Community centers are known for their innovative programs and partnerships that address pressing social issues. For instance, the McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research at New York University collaborated with community centers in Harlem to implement the "Circle of Dreams" program, which aims to improve outcomes for children and families affected by poverty and trauma. Through a combination of counseling, mentoring, and arts-based interventions, the program helps participants build resilience and achieve their goals. Celebrating Cultural Diversity: Community centers celebrate the rich cultural diversity of their neighborhoods through multicultural events and festivals. For example, the Mosaic Community Center in Northern Virginia hosts an annual International Festival that showcases the traditions, music, dance, and cuisine of various ethnic groups in the region. These events promote cross-cultural understanding, foster a sense of belonging, and strengthen social cohesion within the community. List your #CommunityCenters on #CommunityCenters #Hourlyspot #Social

As we wind down 2023, we want to share some of our efforts this year to secure every child’s right to a meaningful #education that prepares them for college, career, and capable civic participation. Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to support our work: https://lnkd.in/e2cgHcZA - Fighting for fair school #funding is at the heart of our mission. We developed and shared an innovative, stakeholder-inclusive, solutions-driven approach to avoid unconstitutional school budget cuts and ensure stable, equitable education funding in New York State. Read more about our proposal here:  https://lnkd.in/effH6eCd - Our nonpartisan, #multigenerational #coalition, DemocracyReady NY, organized the first annual statewide New York Civic Learning Week. The Coalition also published a much-needed framework for #medialiteracy education titled, "Preparing for Civic Responsibility in Our Digital Age," to help educators teach students to combat misinformation. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/e8piCs3S - Our latest report, "Gauging Civic Readiness", details the complex assessment landscape for civic learning in the US. Preparing young people for their civic responsibilities in a #democracy is an essential role of schools, yet most US states ignore the need to assess whether students are being fully prepared for capable civic participation. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ebH9NsDw - Our youth members published thoughtful reflections on civic engagement opportunities at their own schools across New York State. Read them here: https://lnkd.in/eqzDuWVy - The Center partnered with Kentucky Student Voice Team, a youth-led advocacy group working to ensure all young people in Kentucky have access to a quality education that includes access to civic learning opportunities. - The legacy of #publicengagement to strengthen educational rights spearheaded by the Center’s founder, Michael Rebell, has attracted the attention of community-based advocates and international scholars alike who want to continue that tradition. The Center has begun long-term planning to preserve, digitize, and catalog our archives to provide broader access. Your donations will help us expand our legal strategy, research, and collective action to ensure every preK-12 school prepares students for college, career, and the robust civic identity necessary to participate in a democracy. Make your year-end gift to the Center for Educational Equity and help us strengthen educational rights in 2024: https://lnkd.in/e2cgHcZA Thank you for your support! Michael Rebell, Jessica Wolff, Nan Eileen Mead, and Katie Loos #SBE #civicengagement #youthengagement

Juneteenth is a holiday commemorating the emancipation of those who have been enslaved in the United States. It started in Galveston, Texas and is now celebrated every year on June 19th across the United States. Although it has been nearly 2 centuries since this pivotal moment, we are still working towards achieving equity across the nation. There are many nonprofits today that are doing important work in helping our community become a more diverse and inclusive place. These are just a few nonprofits that you can support: 1. National Urban League — The National Urban League is a historic civil rights organization dedicated to economic empowerment in order to elevate the standard of living in historically underserved urban communities. 2. Race Forward — Race Forward catalyzes movement building for racial justice. They work to advance racial justice through research, media, and practice. 3. Color Of Change — Color Of Change is the nation’s largest online racial justice organization, fighting to hold decision-makers accountable in achieving a more equitable society.