As we continue through this incredibly challenging period we remain grateful for all the positive things happening in our Enroot community and determined to celebrate all that our students are accomplishing. We hope you will find this newsletter uplifting and that it helps you continue to feel connected to the Enroot community during this isolating time. In the section “Discussing Racial Equity with our Volunteers and Alumni” you will find hyperlinks to several resources that may be helpful as you continue to join us in taking anti-racist action, as part of the larger movement for racial equity. I believe we have an unprecedented opportunity for change before us right now - but fully seizing on it will require sustained effort from each and every one of us. If we all remain fully committed to playing our part in the months and years ahead, we can become a society marked by more universal dignity, equal opportunity and shared prosperity.
Thank you for finding your unique role in this movement and for your ongoing support of Enroot students!
Ben Clark Executive Director
Celebrating Juneteenth at Enroot
This year, Enroot joined many organizations in designating Juneteenth as one of the official holidays we observe each year. We closed our office on Friday, June 19th in observance of Juneteenth and our team took the day to celebrate Black history, Black art, Black culture, Black beauty, Black joy, and Black lives. It was especially important for us right now in the context of the historic re-invigorated movement for racial justice that we took time to reflect even more on our nation's history of oppression that still continues. We encouraged our supporters, friends, and networks to do the same, and more importantly to lift up and celebrate our Black sisters and brothers. As a team we identified articles, books, podcasts, films, and events that were happening in our community that we learned from and participated in.
Even though the Emancipation Proclamation was made effective in 1863, it could not be implemented in places still under Confederate control. As a result, in the westernmost Confederate state of Texas, enslaved people would not be free until much later. Freedom finally came on June 19, 1865, when some 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas and announced that the more than 250,000 enslaved black people in the state were free by executive decree. This day, June 19th, came to be known as "Juneteenth" by the newly freed people in Texas and is often referred to as “America’s Second Independence Day.” (Source: Smithsonian)
Wrapping up the School Year
Although Enroot could not deliver programming in-person this spring, we remain committed to providing a multi-faceted support system for students throughout the COVID-19 public health crisis. Our students were quick to adapt and did their best to remain engaged with school despite the many challenges presented by the transition to distance learning.
We provided programming virtually during this challenging time using phone, email, text, social media, and video conferencing to meet students where they are, and on platforms that are most accessible to them. Programming like post-secondary preparedness workshops, Pictionary mentoring sessions, math learning circles, volunteer trivia night and mingle, leadership mentoring, and ‘lunch and learn’ sessions were all provided virtually. Junior workshops focused on college applications, two-year versus four-year college, certificate programs, resources available to support their application process, changes to college admissions and decision process due to COVID-19, and top three things students should be thinking about and doing right now in current circumstances.
Five of our College Success students came together to form our Facebook Launch Team for virtual engagement. These students launched our College Success Facebook group and have become ambassadors of the group for their peers. We've hosted two Facebook live events to engage the College Success cohort, with 50 students participating. We discussed updates about changing college policies, FAFSA deadlines, and suggestions for staying grounded and balanced during COVID-19. This has been a great success particularly in a moment when schools and colleges are seeing a decline in engagement of students with curriculum and program content.
Virtual End of Year Celebrations
Traditionally, we wrap up the school year with our End of Year Celebrations that have historically marked the culmination of hard work, persistence, and joyous memories. This year we hosted our very first Virtual End of Year Celebrations. Our mentors, tutors, and students had a lot to say about how much they enjoyed working with each other, learning from each other, and being a part of the Enroot community, especially as we confront this crisis together. Here is what one amazing mentor had to say about working with Dennis from our Somerville Program:
Our College Success Virtual End of Year Celebration was also a big success, with over 40 participants and two amazing speakers. One of our sophomores, Ana, delivered a beautiful speech about her transition from El Salvador to Somerville High School, to Bunker Hill Community College, and now onto Anna Maria College. Alumnus Igor DeCruz also spoke about graduating from CRLS in the early 2000's and his progression to become a Vice President at Silicon Valley Bank. He spoke directly to our current college students and gave important tips and advice as they continue to progress through their college years.
Ana said: “At first, it was scary. I am the first in my family to attend college, so I had no idea what to do or how to enroll. And being an immigrant didn’t help at all, but I found good people in my way like people from Enroot. I remember that I didn't have time to attend mentoring when I was in high school, because I was working or watching over my little sister. But, people from Enroot always found a way to make it work for me, and even though I didn't make it easy for them to keep me active in the program or for me to attend meetings. They were so flexible and made sure that I was getting the right help that I needed. Thanks to them I was able to enroll early in college and made an easier transition from high school to college. They both have been there for me, and not only for school. They helped to answer any question (from work, personal, or school) to help me emotionally, mentally, and in any way possible for them. Having someone to help me and just to know that I can count on them gave me such mental peace. Enroot, Enroot has been a blessing, and I have so much to thank them for… In the coming fall, I will be transferring to Anna Maria College to a Nursing Major, and YES I worked hard for this, but I want to acknowledge Georgia, my mentors, and Enroot in general for giving me the support that I needed and for always believing in me.”
We are so extremely thrilled to hear this from Ana and grateful that we were able to support her through her high school years and transition to post-secondary education. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for her!
We are excited to go into our third year of College Success programming and already hosted orientations the week of July 6th to welcome our incoming student cohort!
LGBTQIA+ Highlight From Pride Month
A flag created by Graphic designer Daniel Quasar to emphasize inclusion and progression. The flag includes black and brown stripes to represent marginalized LGBT communities of color, along with the colors pink, light blue and white, which are used on the Transgender Pride Flag.
Following the historic Supreme Court ruling in June protecting gay and transgender workers from workplace discrimination, the LGBTQIA+ community celebrated a long-sought victory during this year’s Pride Month. The LGBTQIA+ community has accomplished many strides from the first documented gay rights organization in 1924, to the first gay pride parade in 1970, to where we are now. As we celebrated Pride Month in the midst of an epidemic, it is not lost on us to remember the ongoing attempts to discriminate on the basis of gender identity and the ongoing violence against Black trans people. We’ve come a long way, but this shows us that the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights must continue.
Discussing Racial Equity with Volunteers & Alumni
Enroot convened two Racial Equity Listening Circles for Volunteers and Alumni in June in order to begin a dialogue about the racist violence and murder that continues to be perpetrated on Black, Indigenous and People of Color. We held this intentional space to connect with our volunteers and alumni and hear their thoughts on the movement for racial justice and equity during this pivotal time in our country's history. We utilized elements of our Cultural Consciousness Training and the Mapping and Defining our Role in a Social Change Ecosystem tool, created by Deepa Iyer, to help us in our breakout groups. We provided resources for conversation and personal education such as the New York Times’ 1619 Project, Anti-Racism Resources For White People, and an Anti-Racist Reading List. During one meeting a volunteer shared a resource, Anti-Racism Daily, led by Nicole Cardoza. Several of us have found this to be a really valuable resource to expand and sustain our daily anti-racism practice. We look forward to continuing more meaningful conversations like this one in the months to come.
Virtual Chair Yoga Session with our Volunteer Leigh Netcoh
We are grateful to our volunteer mentor Leigh Netcoh for providing a Virtual Chair Yoga session for our students and staff. This was a much needed self-care and well-being activity prompting us to be more mindful of taking care of ourselves as we all continue to work remotely.
Enroot is a nonprofit dedicated to empowering immigrant youth to achieve academic, career, and personal success through inspiring out-of-school experiences.
