A United Way spotlight

Check out the new United Way of Massachusetts Bay blog post that features Strategies for Children.

Calling us “small but mighty,” the blog says, “As one of United Way’s 124 New Way Forward partners within the Public Policy portfolio, Strategies for Children (SFC) envisions Massachusetts as a leader in early learning systems that effectively prepare young children for success in school and life.”

As Amy O’Leary, Strategies’ executive director, explains in the blog, one of our core tools is inclusion.

“We are inspired by including and supporting people with lived experience in a meaningful way, not just to check a box, especially in advocacy and policy. Through our 9:30 Call, Advocacy Network, and Early Childhood Agenda, we are exploring ways to operationalize community voices in our processes. By adopting the elevating voices continuum implemented throughout The Agenda, we ensure that people who are working with children and families every day are the first people that we ask to weigh in when we’re considering new ideas or policies.” 

The United Way blog also features Felicia Billy, a member of Strategies’ Advocacy Network who has also joined our Board.

“Strategies for Children was a game-changer for me, showing the importance of having practitioners in the room where decisions are made and the value of our voices in shaping policy,” Billy says in the blog. “I love the networking opportunities SFC provides and their encouragement to utilize these avenues. They are a huge resource and asset not only to Boston but to the entire state, showing the way for many and creating a significant ripple effect through their convening sessions.”

Another Advocacy Network member who is featured in the blog is Gloria Valentin-Denson, who is also a Lived Experience Leader for working group 5 of the Early Childhood Agenda, which is focused on the development of comprehensive quality improvement infrastructure.

“Being part of workgroup 5 has shown me the power of collective advocacy,” Valentin-Denson says. “We’re not just talking about change, we’re making it happen.”

To read more, check out the blog.

And thank you to the United Way of Massachusetts Bay for its support and recognition!