East Side Aligned

Early Childhood - Provided facilitative leadership to the Greater East St. Louis Early Learning Partnership. Recent achievements: Developed a 3-year strategic plan and generated over $200k to implement strategies to increase services for children (0-5) who have been exposed to violence; increased family leadership and involvement in decision-making through sustaining two family councils; established a partnership with local PBS station to expand reach of early childhood resources to parents and providers; and held various events to celebrate young children, early childhood providers, and families and elevate the importance of early childhood development.

Youth Voice and Leadership - Provide facilitative leadership to Leaving Our Voices Everywhere (LOVE), a youth-led group that organizes events and training opportunities to equip youth with knowledge and skills to increase civic engagement, foster healing and well-being, and position young people for various leadership roles. Recent achievements include: Trained 15 youth in trauma-informed practices and equipped them to provide trainings for their peers; hosted events to educate and dialogue with peers about community issues; and supported the planning and hosting of a community-wide event to connect over 200 people in opportunities to improve their community.

YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH - Provided facilitative leadership to the Youth Mental Health and Wellness Coalition of St. Clair County, which works to improve the coordination, quality, and impact of services to support the well-being of young people. Recent achievements: Hosted convenings strengthen connections between families and service providers; obtained funding to establish a Family-Run Organization within our community; and developed a public awareness campaign to equip youth with tools and practices to improve well-being.