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June 2022 Newsletter
June 2022 Newsletter
A Note from the Planning Committee
A Note from the Planning Committee
Dear CANDYD Community,
As we close out this school year surrounded by amazing youth, youth providers, and educators, we hope the newsletter will provide you valuable information and inspiration as we collectively seek to enhance equitable, accessible, and high-quality out of school time experiences so that all youth in our community thrive.
In this newsletter, you'll find information about the upcoming Summer Break announcements, Working Group updates, and a member spotlight from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Virginia Chief Operating Officer, Shannon Ferns.
Don't forget to also share updates between our newsletters on the CANDYD Members Facebook Group!
The CANDYD Planning Committee
Network Meeting
Network Meeting
We received such great feedback following our April Network Meeting. Several network members have inquired about having more professional development opportunities. The Planning Committee would appreciate it you could take a few minutes to share any thoughts that you may have on future workshops. You can access the two question survey here.
The CANDYD Planning Committee has also decided to forgo having a Summer Network Meeting. This allows network members to prioritize summer programming, spending quality time with loved ones, and much-needed self care! We look forward to reconvening this Fall and kicking off the year with a summer programming debrief! More information to come later this summer!
We received such great feedback following our April Network Meeting. Several network members have inquired about having more professional development opportunities. The Planning Committee would appreciate it you could take a few minutes to share any thoughts that you may have on future workshops. You can access the two question survey here.
The CANDYD Planning Committee has also decided to forgo having a Summer Network Meeting. This allows network members to prioritize summer programming, spending quality time with loved ones, and much-needed self care! We look forward to reconvening this Fall and kicking off the year with a summer programming debrief! More information to come later this summer!
CANDYD Working Groups
CANDYD Working Groups
The purpose of the CANDYD working groups is to study, report on, and make recommendations on a particular need for the CANDYD community. With the support of the Planning Committee, working groups might support the execution of their recommendations, particularly related to shorter-term goals that could be achieved during the duration of the working group’s semester-long commitment: Check out what both working groups have been working on this semester!
CANDYD Engagement & Outreach
The Engagement & Outreach Working Group’s aim is to build greater awareness of CANDYD in the community and increase engagement across the network and beyond. The group has launched a Logo Design Contest, and we would like to invite your middle and high school students to participate! Youth are the center of CANDYD’s work. Considering this, we want to ensure that whichever logo is selected to represent the network both incorporates the voices and reflects the spirit of young people. Submissions will be accepted through August 1st. More information about the contest can be found here. If you have any questions or suggestions regarding the Engagement & Outreach working group, please reach out to Detajha Woodson (dtw3yk@virginia.edu).
Data and Measurement
The Data and Measurement Working Group is exploring how we might support and strengthen data practices across the CANDYD network related to such areas as program quality, youth engagement, youth outcomes, and long-term growth. The group is in the process of planning a fall training on data use. As we prepare, we would love to hear your input on what would be helpful for your organization. Please complete the following 3-question survey to share your perspective. We will be in touch with more details soon! Please reach out to Ashlee Sjogren (aml6qc@virginia.edu) with any ideas to share with the working group members!
CANDYD Announcements and Updates
CANDYD Announcements and Updates
Brooks Family YMCA
Music Resource Center
Ready Kids
Region Ten
Region Ten
Region Ten
Shelter for Help in Emergency:
6/20/22 5:30pm EST: Pride Month Bingo: Come join us as we learn about LGBTQ+ history and figures that promoted healthy relationships, self-esteem, and other positive messages! NOTE: We are playing for fun, not for money.
7/5/22 1pm EST: Healthy Relationships 101: for middle/high school youth, but all are welcome! Discusses what healthy, unhealthy, and abusive relationships look like.
7/11/22 4pm EST: We're Just Talking: Healthy Relationships Without A Label - for high school youth, but all ages are welcome! Discusses how to establish healthy boundaries in relationships that are new, undefined, or still developing.
REGISTER: https://forms.gle/2vX28KiAezmnNsLJ7
The Front Porch:
The Rivanna Roots summer concert series is well underway, and families are having a blast! Enjoy live music, food trucks, and beverages by the banks of the Rivanna River. We're partnering with the Rivanna River Company and Sun Tribe Solar for these community events. Here's the concert line up. Also, A few spots remain in our Sing! Strum! Play! Create! summer camps. Camps run until the end of July and are geared to ages 4-10. Please see our website for more information.
Youth-Nex:
With powerful research on positive youth development, Youth-Nex enhances the strengths of children and adolescents and prevents developmental risks. Our vision is that our nation’s youth, a rich, often untapped resource, may flourish. The Youth-Nex Youth Advisory Council is comprised of youth in grades 9th-12th. Our goal is to provide youth with a platform to elevate their voices and develop their sense of agency by advising and leading on Youth-Nex programs and initiatives.
Please visit our website for more information about the Youth-Nex Youth Advisory Council.
Youth Application Form: https://bit.ly/3Ggtt2
Adult Referral Form: https://bit.ly/3MKzkzl
CANDYD Member Spotlight
CANDYD Member Spotlight
In each newsletter we will spotlight a CANDYD network member. This month we are spotlighting Shannon Ferns.
Organization’s name: Boys & Girls Club of Central Virginia
What is your role in the organization? Chief Operating Officer
What is the organization’s vision & mission? Vision: A Central Virginia community where impactful Club experiences empower all young people to live life well. Mission: To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.
Now, describe your organization in just three words. Fun, Community-centered, Outcome-driven
What current/recent project or program are you really proud of? 2022 marks our organization’s 30th year of serving youth in Charlottesville, Albemarle, Madison and Orange. Throughout the year we have celebrated with #30Challenges, including #30Books, #30Miles, and #30ActsOfService, that align with our priority outcomes of academic success, healthy lifestyles, and good characters and citizenship. It has been wonderful to watch our youth engage in these fun activities!
What does equity in education mean to you? Equity in education means educators and educational institutions meet each student's unique needs by first identifying, celebrating, and supporting each student's unique strengths.
What are you looking forward to in the year ahead? There is a lot in store over the next year at the Boys & Girls Club. We are looking forward to our inaugural ClubFest, which will celebrate 30 years of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Virginia’s impact in the community by bringing together Club kids and families, community partners, Club alumni, volunteers, and supporters from all six Clubs to enjoy a day full of free activities, like art, music, sports, and more. ClubFest is free and open to all on September 25th at IX Art Park. We hope you can join us! Be on the lookout for more details coming soon. We are also thrilled that in January, we are scheduled to open the Albemarle Campus Club on the campus of Albemarle High School, Jack Jouett Middle School, and Greer Elementary School. The 52,000 square foot facility will triple our service capacity in this area and provide year-round youth development services to 500 kids annually.
What is a fun activity or ritual that your team does together? Our office has an internal library where staff can add books that have positively impacted them personally and/or professionally. We are able to check out books from the little library and connect with our colleagues about what we learn!
Why is your organization a part of CANDYD? Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Virginia has been involved in CANDYD since its inception. We firmly believe that youth-serving organizations are integral to our region’s future success. CANDYD is a network of expertise we are grateful to be part of.
Share a contact name and email for people in CANDYD who might want to connect with you. Shannon Ferns, Chief Operating Officer, sferns@bgclubcva.org
Interesting Reads, Listens, & Events
Interesting Reads, Listens, & Events
To follow is a round up of a few resources that may be of interest. Have a resource or event to share? Please send our way (candydinfo@gmail.com)!
Key Points:
Adolescence is when one’s capacities for becoming a healthy, capable adult are established.
The experiences and relationships adolescents have influence their brain development enormously.
Adolescents crave interdependence, not independence.
Lessons In Adolescence Podcast: Lessons with Aaron Dworkin (Season 1, Episode 11)
This episode features a conversation with Aaron Dworkin, CEO of the National Summer Learning Association, the nation’s leading champion, connector and supporter of summer learning programming. Aaron has a long history in youth service and has brought a new energy and ambition to the work of NSLA. This comes at a unique moment for the field of summer learning, as the global pandemic and worries about learning loss and mental health give heightened purpose to learning opportunities this particular summer. While that is true, it is also the case that summer learning plays a big role in the learning and development for youth in any circumstance, including creating valuable spaces and relationships specific to young adolescents in middle school.
Charlottesville Pride Community Network: Youth & Family Programs
LGBTQ+ youth of all ages and families need community! That’s why Cville Pride hosts events throughout the year aimed at providing youth and families chances to be themselves, make connections, and find support.
Feedback & Ideas
Feedback & Ideas
CANDYD is fueled by the ideas, experiences, and the feedback of this network. At any time, we hope you will reach out with your thoughts and questions (candydinfo@gmail.com). Thank you for your engagement!
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