Equity Evolution
Equity Evolution
CAN’s Equity Evolution is a blog-series that began in June 2021 that explores the growth that CAN as an organization, as its entirety and on an individual-basis, is going through to become a more equitable and just organization.
Equity Evolution: CAN’s Growth Story
Preface
June 21, 2021
The Beginning of Our Journey
Happy Monday Everyone!
So, as I wind down my Juneteenth weekend in Oakland, CA – a large community event, followed by a “PRIDE 4 Juneteenth” gathering, and lastly, an intimate conversation with friends about token gestures vs real systemic change – I thought what an appropriate time to begin what CAN hopes will be some communal learning with our field.
Equity Evolution: CAN’s Growth Story
Vol. 1
July 12, 2021
Good Morning and Happy Tuesday Everyone!
Again, welcome to CAN’s journey to becoming a more just organization. In the opening post, we shared the arc of our process for change: Awareness and Education → Application and Accountability → Increased Ability and Sustainable Growth.
Equity Evolution: CAN’s Growth Story
Vol. 2
September 14, 2021
Hey there! Welcome back to CAN’s journey to becoming a more just organization. My name is Melissa Perez and this month, I have the opportunity to share my thoughts and personal experiences, as a CAN team member, growing through (our) CAN’s equity journey with you all.
Equity Evolution: CAN’s Growth Story
Vol. 3
October 12, 2021
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and as we continue to reflect on CAN’s collective journey to becoming a more just and equitable organization, it’s important to explore the intersectionalities that make up one’s identity and realize that ‘identity’ isn’t a simple category. That starts with me: hello, my name is Nat Rosales. I am queer. I am nonbinary. I am Latinx. I am a graduate student. I am CAN’s student assistant, and this is my journey.
Equity Evolution: CAN’s Growth Story
Vol. 4
Where are we now?
In the opening post, we shared the arc of CAN’s process for change: Awareness and Education → Application and Accountability → Increased Ability and Sustainable Growth. I want to be clear, these cycles of learning and improvement will be iterative and ongoing. We don’t feel that becoming a better organization is a destination but our continuing journey to be better every day, both as individuals and as a catalyst for change in our greater system.
Equity Evolution: CAN’s Growth Story
Vol. 5
The Journey of the Youth Development Field is an Equity Journey
As we look to a new year it will be full of opportunity. Each new year creates an opportunity to look back and reflect on where we have been and where we are going. As our field continues to expand in the coming years, it will be important to consider our journey to promote positive youth development as an equity journey.
Equity Evolution: CAN’s Growth Story
Vol. 6
Being a Black Man Through My Eyes
Greetings and Salutations! It’s a pleasure to have the chance to introduce myself to you. Yes, I am tall, I am 6’9 actually. Yes, I did play basketball, but I am also a scholar holding an Organizational Communication Degree, a Masters Degree in Coaching and Athletic Administration, and currently pursuing my Doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership with an emphasis on Organizational Development. I am also a son, grandson, nephew, father, teammate, coach, community organizer, philanthropist, farmer (Yes I said farmer!), friend, and a BLACK man; who has lived in multiple countries, states, and cities throughout my life.
Equity Evolution: CANs Growth Story
Vol. 7
Sensitive Content Warning - Our blog series is an open space for sharing stories and experiences on our equity journey. The following blog post includes the topic of sexual assault, and some might find this topic disturbing or traumatizing. Please care for yourself.
A Quick Glance in the Mirror
My name is Lupita Perez and I am
grateful for this chance to share part of my story with you
all. In this blog post, I wanted to explore a topic that is
close to my heart, but I do have to warn you that it is not a
“light” or openly discussed topic despite the disturbing amount
of people whom it resonates with. So let me get right to it, my
goal in signing up for April’s post of the CAN teams Equity Blog
Series was to bring attention to Sexual Assault Awareness Month
while also weaving in my personal experiences and reflections
that have influenced my work and relationship with others.
Equity Evolution: CAN’s Growth Story
Vol. 8
Hello all!
My name is Tammy and I am the Americorps VISTA at the California Afterschool Network. I am a recent graduate and going to graduate school this upcoming fall. I am an Asian-American (Chinese) born in Boston and grew up in the midwest. And this is my story…
Equity Evolution: CAN’s Growth Story
Vol. 9
As we are in the midst of summer, I thought I’d share an equity story around a population we care deeply about. Youth.
As a city kid, summers in San Francisco were not really defined as warm weather and sunny days. Summer weather is fog, wind, and the opportunity to wear a slightly thinner jacket. I used to define summers as the time when the MUNI buses were empty and I could sit in my preferred seat in the back, the seat where I could people watch and hope someone I knew would get on the bus so we could chat.
Equity Evolution: CAN’s Growth Story
Vol. 10
Are you Interested in Advancing CAN’s Equity Journey?
In 2007 CAN was founded under
the motto, “of the field, for the field.” Since its
inception, CAN has sought to live the
Network Principles of Mission, not Organization;
Humility, not Brand, Trust, not Control; and Constellation, Not
Stars. CAN was formed as a “big tent” for multiple
entities to collaborate in support of the success of the
Out-of-School Time (OST) field.
CAN was formed as a public-private partnership between the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and the California Department of Education’s After School Programs office (now the Expanded Learning Division). This national movement has grown since CAN’s inception and CAN is now part of a national network of 50 Statewide Afterschool Networks.
Reflecting on our Equity Journey in 2022!
Vol. 11
As you may remember, we launched our blog series, “Equity Evolution: CAN’s Growth Story,” in June 2021. This series explores the growth that CAN as an organization, in its entirety, and on an individual basis, is going through to become a more equitable and just organization. As we reflect on 2022, we featured the following blogs:
Equity Evolution: CAN’s Growth Story
Vol. 12
A Punk Rock-Shaped Lens on Positive Youth Development – My Equity Journey
By: Jeff Davis
In 2015 I wrote a blog for the BOOST Café about the importance of positive youth development, and specifically about the importance of opportunities for meaningful participation as an important protective factor for me because as I highlight in the blog,