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2020 Annual Report

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2020 Annual Report 2020 Annual Report 1 Contents 4-5 Letters from KConnect Leadership 6 Accountability Partners Council KConnect Structure 7 Frequently Asked Questions What Does KConnect do? 8 - 9 The KConnect Workplan Our Success Measures 10 - 11 Report Card 2020 Data 12 - 15 Equity in COVID-19 A Discussion with a Panel of Experts 16 - 19 Housing The Housing Stability Alliance 20 - 21 Doulas Day One Doula Collective 22 - 27 Network Member Listing 2 3 Letter From The President BOARD OF work that has been established. My TRUSTEES purpose or ‘my why’ behind this work is closely tied to my upbringing. I am the Andrew Brower son of Mexican immigrants and grew up W.K. Kellogg Foundation in low-income housing and a struggling school system in California. My parents Lynne Ferrell moved to Grand Rapids when I was in Frey Foundation my first year of high school. We were Krista Flynn fortunate enough to purchase a home TCF Bank near Northview High School, where Cle Jackson I learned quickly that not all school districts are created equal. My change in Blue Cross Blue Shield Michigan education, neighborhood, and community Dr. Juan Olivarez networks helped me learn first-hand how Andrew Brower, Teresa Weatherall Neal, Dorothy A. Johnson Center important it is to invest in ALL students KConnect Board of Trustees Co-Chair KConnect Board of Trustees Co-Chair Salvador Lopez, President for Philanthropy and work collectively to create a system Photo by Isabel Garcia Kevin Polston that provides students with a high quality Letter From the Co-Chairs Godfrey-Lee Public Schools Hello! For those of you who have not met education and experience, no matter their race, gender, or socio-economic status. Amidst pain and challenges, we value from the Prenatal to Third Grade workgroup to address inequitable birth outcomes, has Julie Ridenour me yet, my name is Salvador Lopez, and I’m excited to be the new KConnect President. I I believe that exposure can change a you and honor your work. The COVID-19 hired its first staff member and launches its first cohort of doulas of color in early 2021. Steelcase Foundation started in late September and have enjoyed life. Through the prenatal to career work crisis of 2020 has made more visible KConnect continues to convene community partners to address the vast disparity Diana Sieger my time meeting network partners, learning at KConnect, we can help dismantle inequities that have been prevalent for between White children and children of color across the prenatal to career continuum. Grand Rapids Community about the work that has been done, and systems of oppression and help all decades. The murders of George Floyd, We know this work will help make a difference so that every child may thrive. Foundation imagining what the future of KConnect children be successful. Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and Stacy Stout will look like. countless more Black men and women KConnect went through some significant changes this year. Our inaugural President, It’s time that we start pushing the in our country have led to the highest Pamela Parriott, moved to another position outside of the organization. Anissa Eddie, City of Grand Rapids As I familiarize myself with KConnect’s envelope. We need to acknowledge racial tensions we’ve seen since the Civil KConnect’s Associate Director and a Pritzker Fellow, completed her fellowship and left Michelle Van Dyke current work, I find myself continually the data, and work towards eliminating Rights movement. The year 2020 has to pursue her doctoral degree and launch Liminality Consulting. After a robust search Heart of West Michigan referring back to our Common Agenda and disparities that affect our children; more been challenging, even more so for Black process, we have brought on a President that we know will invigorate KConnect and United Way Roadmap that launched the organization specifically children from historically and Brown communities throughout our further strengthen our core values of racial equity, trust, and community engagement. Teresa Weatherall Neal and, ultimately, the creation of our ever- marginalized and underrepresented country and here in Kent County. Salvador Lopez, our new President, began in late September and is already Retired, Grand Rapids growing network. One section particularly communities. COVID-19 has demonstrating fantastic leadership. Public Schools struck me: “No single organization is compounded and brought to light Yet, communities have rallied to support long-standing inequities that children, families and small businesses affected by Although we too are uncertain what 2021 will bring, we know that this organization will Olivia Williams responsible for any major social problem, nor can any single organization solve it.” To me, not unlike myself, have experienced for COVID-19. Peaceful protests have led to work in partnership with you to affect meaningful change for children and families in Grand Valley State University what that sentence means is that it will take decades. My hope is that I can build some practice and policy change. Voter Kent County. We are here to support your work in closing racial disparities in all areas a collection of people to obtain a community on the strong foundation that is here, turnout is some of the highest we’ve ever of our community and connect all the many talents and assets to opportunities to live impact that will improve the lives of all reinvigorate our focus on community seen. Cross-race advocates are working fully and thrive. BACKBONE children and families. We must continue to engagement and equity and inclusion, for systemic change. and continue to develop strategies that TEAM work together to eliminate disparities in the Thank you for your work and support now and in the past, and we look forward data showing that, across the board, African change outcomes for children across the KConnect was built to uncover and to our continued partnership. American and Latinx children are positioned prenatal to career continuum. address racial disparities. With your Salvador Lopez to fail when compared to their White peers. guidance, we have continued to develop President We must acknowledge disparities and Thank you for being with KConnect strategies that work toward improving over the past six years. I look forward Mark Woltman work towards equitable and measurable outcomes for children and families. Our to working with you as we continue to recent facilitation and convening work to Associate Director outcomes that challenge the status quo. I believe that the Board of Trustees hired me move forward and I’m excited for what address housing insecurity has resulted in Katie Hop the future holds. a comprehensive community plan aimed because they believe in KConnect’s vision to Andrew Brower Teresa Weatherall Neal Communications Manager at moving families who have no housing do just that. Co-Chair, KConnect Co-Chair, KConnect toward being able to choose the housing The KConnect foundation is strong and I Salvador Lopez that’s best for their families. The Day One believe that I can help build upon the great President, KConnect Doula Collective, launched as a strategy 4 5 4 5 Frequently Asked Questions P bility artner ta s C un SUPPORTERS o o un c c WHAT DOES KCONNECT DO? c i A l KConnect is a Collective Impact organization. Collective Impact brings people together from all sectors, in a strategic way, to achieve social change. There are five aspects to Collective Impact: Prenatal to FOUNDATIONAL 3rd Grade WORKGROUP Common Agenda: Coming together to define the problem and create a shared vision to solve it Home & Family 4th Grade to CORE Stability 12th Grade WORKGROUPS Shared Measurement: Agreeing to track progress in the same way, which allows for continuous improvement. Mutually-Reinforcing Activities: Coordinating collective efforts to maximize results. Equitable Continuous Communication: Building trust and relationships with partners and the community. Outcomes for Children & Policy & High School Strong Backbone: A dedicated team orchestrating the work of the collective. Advocacy Families to Career HOW DOES KCONNECT WORK? Community Equity & Engagement Inclusion BACKBONE KConnect is made up of a network of individuals and We also have four Cross-Cutting Workgroups SUPPORT Data & organizations that continue to move forward, challenge that are comprised of experts in their Capacity the status quo, and prioritize the interest of children respective field. These Workgroups serve as and families above independent agendas. resources for the Domain Workgroups as well BOARD OF as the community: There are three Core Workgroups comprised of TRUSTEES cross-sector partners that work together to develop CROSS-CUTTING • Community Engagement strategies that will most effectively improve outcomes WORKGROUPS • Data and Capacity for children and families in Kent County. These include: • Equity and Inclusion • Prenatal to 3rd Grade • Policy and Advocacy • 4th-12th Grade • High School to Career KConnect Structure KConnect is made up of individuals happen in our communities. This is As one of our community partners, and organizations that work to done through exploring and sharing you are a vital part of moving this WHAT ARE KCONNECT’S FOCUS AREAS? improve outcomes - at a systemic data, defining and cultivating critical work forward and we value your KConnect focuses on children and families from prenatal to career. We have eight Success Measures that act as level - for children across the prenatal partnerships, and facilitating difficult, time and energy. Please
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