What I’m Paying Attention To: Reflecting on Recent Readings

"What you pay attention to grows" - adrienne maree brown

The past few weeks, I’ve been on the road at the National Indian Education Association ’s After-School Time Partner Convening in Washington D.C., and the Aspen Forum For Community Solutions (AFCS) 's Opportunity Youth Forum & ?Belonging, Meaning, Wellbeing, and Purpose (BMWP) Funder Community of Practice (say that three times fast) in Boston! There, I also participated in a super cool meeting of the Outdoor Equity Network where Fresh Tracks Action shared an internal landscape of outdoor equity practices. Whether I’ve been at these powerful events, on planes, or wrapping up Camp Fire’s new fiscal year budget, I’m always looking for some inspiration or new learnings I can draw from reading. As my friend, collaborator, and Founder of Latino Outdoors , Jose Gonzalez, M.S recently posted, “great leaders should be great readers.” For me, growing my leadership skills means growing the time I spend reading.

With that in mind, this is what I’ve been reading and reflecting on lately:

Data: Annie E Casey Foundation Kids Count Data Book 2024

From the data:

In 2022, as COVID-19 restrictions eased, the impact of the pandemic on child well-being became evident. Six indicators worsened between 2019 and 2022, including educational achievement and the child and teen death rate. However, some positive trends emerged. Parents’ economic security improved significantly and the child poverty rate decreased to pre-pandemic levels.?

My takeaway:

We must build a multidimensional understanding of child well-being and the many factors that go into it. As we continue uncovering the many ways that COVID-19 has impacted the lives of young people, we need to work collaboratively across sectors and with young people themselves to find comprehensive, creative solutions that will truly make a positive difference.

OpEd: Gen Z Put Mental Health on The Map. Let them lead in solving the crisis.

From Michael D. Smith 's OpEd: “We see the data. We feel the loss and the toll this crisis is taking on our loved ones. As the head of AmeriCorps , a federal agency that’s all about harnessing the power of young people to address societal challenges, I see something else we rarely talk about. Gen Z. Not only as the social media savvy, TikTok enthusiast, boundary-breaking generation that it is — but as a powerhouse going further in mainstreaming mental health than any generation before it.”

Gen Z is far better suited than older generations at connecting with today’s students.

Gen Z is the most diverse generation in history.

Gen Z is willing to go right to the frontlines of the mental health crisis to make change possible.

My takeaway:

In 2024, members of Gen Z are between the ages of 12 and 27. As Gen Z enters the workforce, many embarking on their professional trajectory through the youth development fields through summer employment, year round jobs, and volunteer service programs, it is imperative we are paying attention to their ideas and actions, all while supporting their own mental health and wellbeing.?

At Camp Fire , we are committed to centering young people to lead now, not just in the future. That’s why we are thrilled to be partnering with Hello Insight and Annie E. Casey Foundation to pilot the Hello Insight Young Staff tool in order to learn more about experiences that amplify social and emotional development in young staff ?(ages 16-25) during their employment with Camp Fire.? Hello Insight's Young Staff ?Survey focuses on a range of experiences and promising practices that promote peer/team Bonding, foster reflection and broaden horizons.

Speaking of Gen Z making change in the mental health space, here’s another inspiring innovation: Q&Athlete is a Gen-Z-created site where trans and queer young people can ask pro athletes questions with complete anonymity. It’s real people asking questions they’ve never felt comfortable asking friends and family around them and having them answered by top athletes. What struck me is this: “A simple answer to a question nagging away at a queer person’s mind can be the difference between life and death.”

Report: Collective Caregiving: Talking about what kids and families need to thrive

From the report:

“[As a society,] we can deepen and develop our shared understanding of what kids and families need to thrive by redefining care as collective, inclusive, and expansive. This involves, first and foremost, recognizing that caring for kids is a social responsibility and a collective endeavor.”

My takeaway:

Remember that multidimensional understanding of wellbeing? Caring for kids is multidimensional and collective! By building public support for a wide range of policies from housing and food to energy, labor, and transportation, we can amplify a positive difference in the lives of children, including children of color who have received less and poorer care than their white peers for far too long.

Study (Did you know? I didn’t!):? U.S. camp industry adds billions to national economy

From the study:

The U.S. youth camp industry contributes $70 billion to the national economy, accounting for the total value of the camp industry’s production and its ripple effects—which include business-to-business purchases and labor income, according to a study from the University of Michigan.

My takeaway:

This new study from American Camp Association and the 密西根大学 offers a shift in paradigm in how we measure and share our impact. We often stop at sharing how we support staff and youth wellbeing and provide caregiving during the summer months. With it, we now have language to highlight the positive the positive local, state, and national economic impact of the industry as well!?

Blog Post: Changing a System, Changing a Circumstance: The Spectrum of Philanthropy’s Impact

From the blog post:

“I want to create a society where all of my neighbors can thrive,” Carr said. “I think that is not only good for us individually, but it benefits everyone.”

My takeaway:

Dr. Marvin Carr is Director of Corporate Giving at 沃尔玛 . He is also a product of philanthropy, growing up benefiting from philanthropic individuals and organizations in his community. I recently had the privilege of meeting Dr. Carr in Boston. What impressed me right away was his ability to weave his current commitment with his own journey, a quality that makes a leader authentic and is something I strive to do in my own leadership. At a field building level, Dr. Carr offers a new frame of philanthropy. One in which we can see philanthropic gifts not as charity but as investments. More specifically, investments in our collective wellbeing, caregiving, economy, and most importantly, our collective humanity.

These readings bring together many different perspectives, from young people, family and caregivers, practitioners, researchers, and philanthropists. We have our work cut out for us as professionals and as caring members of society. I am encouraged, though, by the innovative and strategic actions being taken by the people and groups I’ve mentioned above. The more we work together to create the conditions for the future young people want for their future, the better outcomes we will see.

What have YOU been paying attention to?