Setting our intention for 2020

As 2019 comes to a close, I am returning to what has become my natural year-end cadence – practicing reflection and gratitude. I then turn my attention to the coming year and set my intention to increase the number of students who have access to meaningful business and school partnerships. Because the responsibility for Oregon students who are not experiencing success in our K-12 schools is my responsibility.

Mr. Rogers pushed us to think about shared responsibility at a time when the practice of community was at a high – when knowing your neighbor, your mail person, and the people you ran into at your local market were commonplace. His words remind us that today, when this no longer the norm, looking beyond ourselves is even more critical for the well-being of our communities. He encourages us to recognize our conditioned response to injustice and “not my problem” attitudes, and articulate how, where, when, and why we are called upon to be part of the solution. And so I always look for opportunities to impact this world we live in – to make it a better place not just for my kids and my grandkids but for everyone’s kids and grandkids.

Seeing the need and responding is not easy. It challenges us to consider the systemic barriers that perpetuate need. The easier path, the path of privilege, is to reinforce the social construct, “not my children, not my community …”. This increases my gratitude for the heroes Mr. Rogers references. For me, they are the teachers who share valuable time in their classrooms and the volunteers who carve time out of their workdays to deliver In4All programs. They are also the board members who volunteer and the staff who take up the charge to connect students to their future – one we believe is limitless. By linking arms and focusing on strengthening our communities through year-over-year, sustainable business and school partnerships prioritizing students who have been historically underserved we demonstrate our number one guiding principle; that equity, inclusion, and access are the foundation of our work.

As you reflect on 2019, I encourage you to set an intention for the year ahead. If that intention includes the success of students in our communities, consider partnering with In4All at a deeper level. Help us increase our impact in the eight districts we currently serve and expand our reach into southeast Portland and North Clackamas in 2020.

In solidarity,

Elaine