Every Hour Counts’ Post

Hi, My name is Tranard Harvin and I am the founding Executive Director of the Low Country Youth Enhancement Program (LCYEP). It was August 9, 2016 and I was experiencing the worst case of nerves since delivering my undergraduate capstone at Claflin University’s 2016 Honors Week. All of the success stories were starting to seem too good to be true. My goal to develop a thriving nonprofit to combat the outdated youth experience of Williamsburg County was closer than ever before. Between completing grant applications and forming relationships with community leaders, the dedication and fulfillment of a greater community presence for the Low Country Youth Enhancement Program (LCYEP) had become a timeless effort. The idea for the organization came after I attended the 2011 National Youth Leadership Conference. Through interactive sessions on policy and engagement, I was inspired to return with plans of changing the way students organized and participated in community efforts. This process has been rigid but resulted in organizational efficiency. The LCYEP addresses the inadequate number of academic enrichment programs offered to minority students in Williamsburg County Public School System. This includes the limited exposure to social platforms used for youth empowerment and the lack of progressive pursuits from other business and government leaders. While Williamsburg County’s historic district is a fine collection of nineteenth-century vernacular commercial architecture, the social service offering for families is only (STATISTICAL DATA). Recently, the Educational Talent Search (ETS), a program that identifies and assists individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, was discontinued due to a lack of funding. ETS served public middle and high school students in Williamsburg County. The organization is currently composed of four core programs. 1.) The FUND and Leadership Development Program supports academically gifted students; preparing and fully sponsoring their participation in national youth conferences related to their anticipated profession. These students will be required to provide proof of their academic and social engagement to qualify for this program. This program will benefit its participants by offered training in peace resolution, education reform and social inclusion. 2.) Project Dance, Act, Sing (DAS) is an 8-week summer program that allows young performers to enhance their talent in the areas of dance, act and vocal performance. This program introduces the cultural diversity of the arts to emerging artists throughout the community. 3.) Project Safe Streets (PSS) raises the awareness of mental health among teenage girls and boys. 4.) Our instructional community garden teaches our community the importance of a greener world through agricultural and personal growth.

🌟 Reflections on the 2024 NAEYC Conference in Anaheim, CA! 🌟 Attending the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) conference in Anaheim was an inspiring and energizing experience! Engaging with leaders, educators, and advocates in early childhood education reminded me of the importance of creating meaningful learning environments that support every child’s growth. Key takeaways that I’m excited to bring back to my role as an Early Childhood Education Manager: 1️⃣ Innovative Approaches to Learning: From workshops on child-centered play to discussions on social-emotional learning, I gained new perspectives and practical ideas for fostering creativity and resilience in young learners. 2️⃣ Leadership & Collaboration: The conference highlighted strategies for building effective, supportive teams in early education settings. I’m eager to implement some of these approaches to enhance collaboration and professional growth within our programs. 3️⃣ Equity and Inclusion: Conversations around diversity, equity, and inclusion were powerful reminders of our responsibility to create accessible and inclusive classrooms. Learning from others’ experiences will help me champion inclusive practices across our centers. Connecting with others who share the same passion for early education was invaluable, and I look forward to applying these insights to support our teams and the children and families we serve. Let’s keep shaping the future of early childhood education together! #NAEYC2024 #EarlyChildhoodEducation #ProfessionalDevelopment #EducationLeadership #Inclusion #InnovationInEducation #EarlyLearning

CIS is dedicated to improving family engagement, recognizing that when students are supported in their academic journeys, they can go further. Recently, the Director of Family Engagement, Ana M. Ramirez, represented Communities In Schools of the Dallas Region at the 2024 Families Learning Conference, hosted by the National Center for Families Learning (NCFL) in Louisville, KY. Ana presented a session titled “Cultivating Parents with Digital Skills Needed to Conquer Their World and Their Kiddos,” which highlighted the transformative work CIS is doing to empower parents and families. Her presentation showcased how CIS equips parents with the tools and confidence to support their children while pursuing their own aspirations. Family engagement is central to the mission of CIS, and November’s Family Engagement Month serves as a powerful reminder of the essential role families play in creating pathways to student success. Ana's opportunity to connect with educators, community leaders, and advocates at this national conference was a testament to the impact of this critical work. CIS extends its gratitude to NCFL for providing a platform to celebrate and amplify these efforts. Together, we are helping to cultivate brighter futures for families everywhere. #AllInForKids #FamilyEngagement #NCFL

Community schools thrive when they are tailored to the unique needs and assets of their communities, but certain practices are essential for success. Community Schools Forward, a national collaboration, has created a framework to align policymakers and practitioners around six integrated, evidence-based practices for high-quality community school implementation. The Six Key Practices: 1️⃣ Expanded, enriched learning opportunities. 2️⃣ Rigorous, community-connected classroom instruction. 3️⃣ A culture of belonging, safety, and care. 4️⃣ Integrated systems of support. 5️⃣ Powerful student and family engagement. 6️⃣ Collaborative leadership and shared power and voice. Learn more from the Learning Policy Institute here: https://loom.ly/vt_weL0

HCC’s own Bill Boatman is participating in this year’s Leadership Carroll cohort! One of the cohort’s projects this year is to support early literacy in our local community. This includes developing family literacy kits that will be given to new families at Tanner in the month of July, as well as generating support for the existing literacy programs in the county. According to Ferst Readers, 37% of children arrive at kindergarten without the skills necessary for lifetime learning. Not only that, but cognitive processes develop rapidly in the first few years of life. By age 3, roughly 85% of the brain is developed. However, traditional education takes place in grades K-12, which begins at age five. HCC is proud to support Ferst Readers and the West Georgia Regional Library System's 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program. Visit the sites below to show your support for early literacy in our community! Ferst Readers https://lnkd.in/dgbAGzcF 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten https://lnkd.in/df7pFgWP

This month's Philanthropy Matters blog post features the Western Area Career & Technology Center. To learn about the plethora of options WACTC offers beyond the familiar choices available at most colleges and universities, click below!

Afterschool, vacation, and summer programs were key beneficiaries of federal stimulus dollars. But the expiration of ESSER funds means these types of programs may be first on the chopping block for district spending. In a new op-ed, Emma Banay, manager of the Inspired Minds portfolio, points to the important role high-quality out-of-school-time programs play in children's holistic development. “What’s really special about them isn’t just the opportunity to improve academic skills. It’s that they are — simply put — fun.” Programs from grantees including FIRST, DiscoverE, Learn Fresh, National Inventors Hall of Fame, and National 4-H Council provide academic benefits while also supporting children’s social-emotional development, such as improved interpersonal skills and stronger peer-to-peer and peer-to-adult relationships. That makes them particularly important now. Read more in The 74 Media.

Monday night's Dallas School District board meeting was one that got me thinking. Two long-time board members mentioned they won't be running for another term. Their dedication and service have been invaluable, and this coming school year will be their last with us. This is a challenge many school boards face: many serve for 10+ years but can't keep giving, and not many vie to replace them. All school boards need diverse, passionate folks who can collaborate and bring their differences together to set students up for the best possible outcomes. Many don't realize they are not only qualified, but would bring exceptional value to the role. It isn't an easy volunteer gig by any stretch—there is a lot of hard work that goes into it—but it is also exceptionally rewarding to know you had a hand in the success of district children. If you've ever considered getting involved, now is the perfect time! Here are some ways you can start: * Reach Out: Connect with current board members or district officials to learn more about what we do. * Join a Committee: Many committees need volunteers. It's a great way to get your feet wet and understand the inner workings of your local district. * Watch a Few Meetings: Attend or watch our meetings online. See firsthand how decisions are made and the impact they have on our schools. * Consider Running: After getting some exposure, decide if running for the school board makes sense for you. Why should you consider it? * Make a Difference: Help shape policies and programs that directly affect our students' education and well-being. * Personal Growth: Develop valuable collaboration skills and gain insights into a different industry and board level governance. * Community Engagement: Give back to your community in a meaningful way. School boards typically meet outside of regular working hours, making it feasible for many to participate. We need level-headed individuals who are focused on following the research and supporting what works best for children. Let's work together to ensure our schools provide the best education possible. Your involvement can make a significant difference! #SchoolBoard #CommunityInvolvement #EducationMatters #DallasSchoolDistrict

As a Black woman in education with an autoimmune disease, founding a school for brilliant children, I sit with profound concern for our collective future. The weight of what's at stake for our youth, our schools, and our country feels overwhelming. Today, I'm allowing myself to feel the full depth of this moment - the sadness, the anger, the discouragement. These feelings are valid, and we need not rush to find silver linings or immediately plot next steps. Some days, we just need to breathe and remember. "If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else." Booker T. Washington's words pierce through the heaviness in my heart today. Our history teaches us that progress doesn't hinge on electoral outcomes - it flows from the unshakeable spirit of community and the power of collective care. The struggles our ancestors faced and overcame were far greater than today's challenges, and their resilience flows through our veins. This moment calls for honesty - about our fears, our disappointments, our concerns for the future. There's strength in acknowledging the weight we carry. Yet our history reminds us that even in the darkest times, our communities found ways to educate, uplift, and prosper. This ancestral wisdom shapes everything we do at The Simple Vue Academy. When traditional systems falter, we stand firm in our commitment to nurturing tomorrow's leaders. Our school wasn't just created for education - it was born to be a sanctuary of excellence, a place where community strength is built from the ground up. Each child who walks through our doors will inherit this legacy of resilience. Our STREAM curriculum and Ubuntu philosophy aren't just educational approaches - they're expressions of our community's enduring power to shape its own destiny, regardless of political winds. We're teaching our children not just academic excellence, but the time-tested wisdom of collective uplift and community care. So, while my heart feels heavy, my spirit remains unshaken. We come from people who built schools in freedom's shadows, who taught children to read by candlelight, who created prosperity from scraps. Their ingenuity, determination, and unwavering commitment to community survival lives on in our work today. The Simple Vue Academy carries forward this legacy, creating spaces where every child can flourish because our power has never been bound by external circumstances. Today, we acknowledge our pain. Tomorrow, we continue the sacred work of building, teaching, and lifting up our children - because that's what we've always done, and that's how we'll always thrive. Learn more about us at: https://lnkd.in/g6qyUF3d #Ubuntu #CommunityPower