racism Archives - Wayside Youth & Family Support Network

One Anti-Racist Action You Can Take Today: Learn the Mental Health Impacts of Anti-Asian Racism

Wayside Team — Tue, 06 Apr 2021 05:58:54 +0000

Guimel DeCarvalho

Vice President of People & Culture

Racism and racial abuse have mental health impacts. Take some time to dig deep into the research on this in connection with COVID-19 and anti-Asian racism. Below are articles shared by Judith Gonyea, associate dean at Boston University School of Social Work, to get you started.

Dismantling Racism Toward Asian Americans

Scholarly Articles

Websites:

Fighting Racism in COVID-19 Times: Asian Culture Center at Indiana University Bloomington
COVID-19 Resources to Stand Against Racism: Asian Americans Advancing Justice
COVID-19 Resource Hub: Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations
Confronting Racism and Supporting Asian American Communities in the Wake of COVID-19:Urban Institute
Teach-In Resources to Help Address Anti-Asian Racism, Bias, and Violence: Purdue University Asian American and Asian Resource and Cultural Center
How You Can Join the Stop Asian Hate Movement: Oprah.com

Webinars

Supporting Asian/Asian American Children and Youth during the COVID-19 Pandemic — Society for Research in Child Development

Blog Banner photo credit: Shelby Eggers, Knock LA, Not Your Model Minority

The post One Anti-Racist Action You Can Take Today: Learn the Mental Health Impacts of Anti-Asian Racism appeared first on Wayside Youth & Family Support Network.

One Anti-Racist Action You Can Take Today: Reflections on MLK Day

Wayside Team — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 03:41:58 +0000

By Molly Fadden,

Department of People and Culture intern

Today we celebrated civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. by paying tribute to his life and legacy. This year many traditional MLK Day events were held virtually, allowing us to reflect on Dr. King’s words and actions while safely social distancing. Below is an article written by our intern, Molly Fadden, on her reflections and what she MLK Day. To quote Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “life’s most persistent and urgent question is ‘what are you doing for others?'”

This year was filled with issues of racial justice, exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic and shifts in governmental powers. Reading “Letter from Birmingham Jail” in 2021, certain themes seem relevant in modern day America. In his letter, King warns us about the role of the “white moderate,” a mostly well-meaning white person who does not actively act in an anti-racist way. He also warns against viewing protesters as “rabble-rousing outside agitators,” which can discredit protesters who are expressing valid criticisms as well as diverting attention from the actual messages of the protests. With a disproportionate number of Black Americans in the prison system or living below the poverty line, it is more important than ever to take anti-racist actions. Another way to make an impact is by having tough conversations with about race and racism with those around you and noticing and mentioning racism where you see it.

In Dexter Scott King’s message to the community for The King Center’s “Beloved Community Commemorative Service” being held virtually today he wrote that…

“my father challenged all of us to disagree without being disagreeable regardless of one’s political affiliations or or socioeconomic status because “love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.”

To read more about Dr. Martin Luther King,Jr.’s vision for a Beloved Community and why the theme and call to action of this year’s observance commemorating Dr. King’s birthday was called “The Urgency of Creating the Beloved Community!” visit The King Center.

Answer life’s most persistent and urgent question, “What are you doing for others?” by serving your community beyond MLK Day.

The post One Anti-Racist Action You Can Take Today: Reflections on MLK Day appeared first on Wayside Youth & Family Support Network.

Wayside Youth & Family Support Network Awarded $29K Grant From MetroWest Health Foundation

Wayside Team — Tue, 15 Dec 2020 03:08:48 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 15, 2020

Contact: Michelle Hillman
508-380-5486 (cell)
Michelle_Hillman@waysideyouth.org

Framingham, MA – Wayside Youth & Family Support Network received a grant for $29,769 from the MetroWest Health Foundation. Wayside will use the grant to create an Equity Training Center that will launch this year.

The new training center will provide educational workshops, personalized consultation services and community presentations to schools, local community groups, nonprofits and social service providers to challenge systemic racism, white privilege and increase equity within their organizations.

The goal of the center is to educate our youth and families, community partners and other nonprofits to develop anti-racist policies and practices that will challenge the strongholds of systemic racism. Trainings will be led by Wayside’s staff who are experts in diversity, equity and inclusion.

“We are beyond thankful for the grant from the MetroWest Health Foundation,” said Wayside’s President and CEO Eric Masi. “This will greatly benefit our community by educating people about diversity, inclusion, and equity. These free trainings will inform people about the daily oppression Black and brown people face and how to prevent it.”

This center intends to serve as a resource with a range of training topic available to the community and individuals including how to create systemic organizational change, talking about anti-racism with kids, examining white privilege and learning to have uncomfortable conversations about race and racism.

About Wayside Youth & Family Support Network: Founded in 1977, Wayside Youth & Family Support Network is a non-profit, nationally accredited human services agency headquartered in Framingham, Mass. dedicated to building strength, hope and resiliency through its family-based outreach services, residential treatment programs, and community-based counseling services to thousands of children, youth, and families throughout Central, Eastern and Northeastern Massachusetts. To learn more about Wayside, please visit www.waysideyouth.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.

The post Wayside Youth & Family Support Network Awarded $29K Grant From MetroWest Health Foundation appeared first on Wayside Youth & Family Support Network.