Greetings!
Our President & CEO, Mishaela Durán, recently published an opinion piece in The 74 about how youth-serving systems need to work together to make sure that young people have the supports that they need to thrive. She emphasized a research-based idea that resonates deeply with Out-of-School Time (OST) professionals – that young people’s learning and development are shaped by the interactions they have with adults across all settings in their life – and emphasized how the Forum for Youth Investment, along with our partners, can leverage ecosystem approaches to better support young people across settings. Sharing her own experiences as a young person and testimonials from young adults who had been in the child welfare system, Mishaela highlights the critical importance of having meaningful connections to community as a young person and throughout life.
As a part of the Forum for Youth Investment, the Weikart Center’s continuous improvement approach and connections across the OST field represent vital elements of this ecosystem work. With that in mind, we look forward to upcoming opportunities to connect with you in our virtual and in-person workshops and learning communities. Our events page is full of opportunities to build community and strengthen youth work practice with other professionals in the field.
With gratitude for our connections, and for the opportunities to strengthen supports so that young people can thrive,