Junior Achievement of Southern Massachusetts’ Post

More Annual Report Highlights – Neighboring Academy Partnership “SCPa Works seeks to partner with organizations that deliver dynamic programs that address our communities’ hardest-to-solve challenges. An example of this type of partnership is our work with Dauphin County’s Neighboring Academy. The Neighboring Academy breaks cycles of poverty by creating a pathway to homeownership that combines local neighborhood capital with 21st-century skills at Steelton-Highspire for high school students. Through our partnership, 24 students completed summer programs focusing on essential life and professional skills. Activities included conflict resolution, communication, and financial literacy. Participants also engaged in community beautification projects, fostering a sense of civic responsibility and preparing them for adulthood.” Read our full Annual Report here: https://lnkd.in/e7fsusyT

I am so proud of your growth and accomplishments. We are lucky to have you on our team helping not-for-profit organizations. #1 Fan 😀 #990reasons #nonprofits #nonprofitorganizations #nonprofittax #taxexempt #taxexemption #taxcompliance #cpafirm #cpas #taxconsultant #taxadvisors #taxprofessionals #taxpreparation

Douglass Austin, Ann Willemssen, Joshua Daniels, Kad Smith, Meshie K. joined me in discussing how we can promote racial equity in today’s colorblind legal landscape at the 2024 University of California, Berkeley, Goldman School of Public Policy Alumni Conference. Doug and Ann shared how the Home for Good Pilot Program is tackling “tangled title” issues for Black and Latine property owners, illustrating how partnerships between local governments and private entities can drive wealth equity. Josh and Kad highlighted the efforts of the Berkeley Unified School District’s reparations Task force, showing that schools can play a central role in racial repair. Meshie spoke about the vital role philanthropy plays in advancing racial equity, providing financial support where government interventions are lacking. This conversation made it clear: while the legal landscape is increasingly hostile, innovative solutions through local action, philanthropy, and systems-level change can still pave the way for meaningful racial repair. #RacialRepair #PolicyInnovation #Philanthropy #GSPP #PublicPolicy #GSPProud

Check out this City Year session with Jim Balfanz SXSW EDU tomorrow!

Mission: Defending democracy through civic education, career development, and community coalitions. Vision: 1) To make civic education fun and interesting for elementary and secondary school students so that they are excited to vote when they turn 18. 2) To help great people get elected into public office, and support them in their journeys to be effective representatives versus just "politicians". 3) To strengthen the connections between non-profits, community groups, and grassroots organizations, with the decision makers in government.

Being Brooklyn bred-has taught me a few things: One—the block aunties know all the secrets. Two—we show up for our people. Three—double dutch isn’t for everyone. Mutual aid is one of the cornerstones of resource activation and if we were to approach community-generative resourcing processes through this lens—we’d get a lot farther faster. It’s not just about community-led or community committees; it’s about culturally relevant and aligned resourcing strategies that start at the top in grantmaking leadership. We need to set and implement the strategies. Black and Brown Brooklyn folks, like so many communities facing rapid and generational gentrification—and erasure—know that asserting ourselves and occupying space is needed. We know we’re stronger together. We know that we need to support one another. And we know what to do with that money when we get it. Let me clap so you get my point: 👏🏾 trust 👏🏾 us 👏🏾 with 👏🏾 resources 👏🏾 period. I guarantee you we can figure out what our communities need—because we are the community. There’s a rhythm to this resource work. Like telephone wires hitting pavement, we know how to tap in. We know what questions to ask, and when we don’t know an answer—we know which auntie has it. Ask me about it.

A real pleasure to participate in this program with Citizens colleagues and NJ Devils partners. BizTown at Junior Achievement of NJ is an incredible place and is the capstone for a weeks long program for elementary school students to learn about finances and business. Great way to spend a few hours volunteering - a ton of fun with the kids and colleagues and, of course, NJ Devil who is just the best!. “Investing in our future, which is our children, is one of the most important things we do here at Citizens,” says Danny Lee, Senior Vice President and District Sales Manager in NY and NJ. As a #CitizensColleague, it is great to see that Citizens is partnering with local organizations to empower students and teach financial education to the next generation. New Jersey Devils, Devils Youth Foundation, Junior Achievement of New Jersey and Citizens partnered to participate in BizTown for the Lincoln Avenue School in Orange, NJ. BizTown is a simulated town that provides students with an opportunity to learn the basics of running a business. Here’s a look at the day!

Over the past decade, the Georgetown Public Policy Challenge has received a wide range of innovative solutions to local policy issues — from bridging the digital divide for at-risk students to assisting young parents and their children experiencing homelessness. “The students go out into the community, taking the human-centered design approach to establishing these proposals and seeing how they can help the folks they’re working with,” said McCourt School Director of Student Engagement Jaclyn Clevenger, who has supported hundreds of students and awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships as founder of the Challenge. Learn more about the annual graduate student competition here: https://lnkd.in/dqXpX4CC

The My Brother's Keeper initiative, launched by former President Barack Obama in 2012, has been instrumental in addressing the opportunity gaps faced by boys and young men of color. The initiative, now known as the MBK Alliance, has seen remarkable progress in three cities in particular: Newark, Omaha, and Tulsa. Newark, which had the third highest murder rate in the nation, has seen a significant reduction in violent crime rates, with the number of homicides dropping to the lowest in 60 years. The city's success is attributed to a collaborative effort involving community organizations, elected officials, and young people, who have been engaged in public forums on crime. Omaha, Nebraska, has also made significant strides in early childhood education, with enrollment in early childhood programs increasing from 65% of eligible students in 2013 to 82% in 2020. The city has also seen a drop in unemployment rates and a decrease in shootings, thanks to partnerships between community organizations, businesses, and the police department. Tulsa, Oklahoma, has also made significant progress in addressing the challenges faced by young men of color. The city has seen a rise in enrollment in early childhood programs and attendance among students of color, thanks to a collaborative effort involving community organizations, businesses, and the school district. These cities' success stories serve as a reminder that collaboration is key to solving deeply entrenched problems that have plagued America for decades. The power of collective action, combined with the power of the nationwide collective, can help solve these problems and ensure all young people can reach their full potential. What do you think are the key factors that have contributed to the success of these cities in addressing the challenges faced by boys and young men of color?

By "embracing the intersection of community building and strategic planning," The College of New Jersey made significant strides in its #firstgen student success efforts. Learn more about their approach in this #FirstScholarsNetwork blog at bit.ly/4bOGiz5.