As another school year begins, it’s essential to recognize the unique challenges that girls in low-resourced communities face when returning to school, especially those who have experienced trauma and disconnect. Girls are carrying much more than school supplies and lunch to school each day. Many are carrying fear and stress, worries about food and money, and even the pain and trauma of sexual and physical abuse. It’s a heavy load. Understanding what a girl brings into her learning environment each day helps us better understand their needs. Our team is at the forefront of efforts to ensure that these girls have the support they need to succeed not only in school but in life.
Understanding the Challenges
Returning to school can be a daunting task for many girls, particularly those who have experienced trauma or disruption in their education. For many, school is a place of respite and security, something missing in their communities and homes. But, school can also be a place of disconnect and failure. Girls often struggle with extended absences leading to significant learning gaps, making it difficult for students to catch up with their peers. Social stigmatization from classmates, bullying and school discipline policies can further alienate girls. Many of these girls have experienced trauma, which can impact their ability to focus, learn, and thrive in a traditional school environment. In under-resourced communities, girls may face additional responsibilities at home or work to support their families, further hindering their educational pursuits.
The Role of the Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center
The Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center is dedicated to transforming the lives of girls and young women, especially those who have experienced marginalization or have been involved in the justice system. The center offers a comprehensive approach to addressing the needs of these girls, focusing on advocacy, research, and direct service programs. Here’s how we are meeting the needs of girls in crisis:
- Advocacy and Policy Reform
The Policy Center advocates for systemic changes that prioritize the needs of girls. This includes:
- Promoting Gender-Responsive Policies: The center works to ensure that policies at the local, state, and national levels recognize and address the unique challenges faced by girls.
- Reducing School-Based Arrests: By advocating for alternatives to arrest, the center aims to keep girls in school and out of the juvenile justice system.
- Collaborating with Schools: The center partners with schools to develop policies and practices that support girls’ reentry into the education system, emphasizing restorative justice approaches.
- Model Programming
The Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center offers various programs designed to empower girls and support their educational journeys:
- See the Girl: In Elementary: This program provides targeted support for elementary-aged girls, focusing on building resilience, academic skills, and social-emotional well-being.
- See the Girl: In the Community: Designed for girls involved in the juvenile justice system, this initiative ensures continuity in education and care, helping girls transition back to school seamlessly.
- Trauma-Informed Training: The Policy Center offers training for educators and school staff on trauma-informed practices, equipping them to better support students with complex needs.
- Research and Best Practices
The Policy Center explores the systemic barriers facing girls to develop community-based solutions to drive change. Recent research includes:
- Impact of COVID-19: Understanding how the pandemic has exacerbated educational challenges for girls in low-income communities.
- Success Stories and Best Practices: Highlighting successful interventions that have improved educational outcomes for girls, providing a blueprint for replication in other communities.
Empowering Girls for a Brighter Future
The Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center’s efforts to support girls returning to school are crucial in breaking the cycle of poverty, generational trauma, and incarceration. By addressing the unique needs of girls and advocating for systemic change, we are paving the way for a safer, more equitable future for all girls.
Get Involved Today
Supporting the Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center’s mission is a collective effort. Here are a few ways you can contribute:
- Connect: Share the work of the Policy Center with your business, foundation, or community group. Together, we can explore ways that your group can support our communities’ most vulnerable girls.
- Donate: Financial contributions help sustain the vital work of the Policy Center and expand its reach.
- Advocate: Raise awareness about the issues facing girls in your community and support policies that promote their well-being.
As the new school year begins, please remember the importance of supporting every girl’s right to education and a hopeful future. Through the collective efforts of the Policy Center, dedicated community members, and policymakers, we can create an environment where girls not only return to school but thrive and succeed. Together, we can create communities where girls are safe, protected, and equal partners in their futures.
Sincerely,
Vicky
President & CEO
Registered Early Childhood Educators and Assistants also work with girls who have been traumatized by certain or different events in their lives. Some Educators and Assistants also need help because they have been traumatized as well! We need centres like Delores Weaver Policy Centre to help us or the girls in our classes!