Connect

Connect
Young People Explore and Build a Strong Sense of Self in Relationship to Others


​Aligned​ Indicators in: ​
  • Self-Discovery and Healing
  • Connection, Collaboration, and Mutual Learning​

CONNECT: Resources and Tools


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Convenings and Trainings​

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March 19, 2024 
Virtual convening on the topic of "Mental Health Support." 
Goal: To connect with each other to discuss mental health and wellness needs of their orgs and of the field. To leave with resources. 
Presentator: Led by Maryam Libdi, a social work graduate student intern from Boston University, this convening was open to all,  including teaching artists, leadership, and youth workers.
Resources:
·       Mindfulness Meditation
·       Jamboard
·       Mental Health Support Conversation Topics
·       Collaborative Resource Map

February 27, 2024
In person convening - "Black Girl You Are Atlas"
We enjoyed a beautiful night at the Roxbury Innovation Center for an evening of poetry and art with bestselling author, educator, and community activist, Renée Watson and Boston-based mixed-media artist Ekua Holmes discussing their new book, Black Girl You Are Atlas. All attendees received a copy of their book.  For more resources see, "An Educator’s Guide to Renée Watson’s Black Girl You Are Atlas"
In this guide, poems are grouped by common themes and discussion questions. Activities are also included that help to deepen engagement and understanding of this beautiful collection of art and poetry.

December 6, 2023 
Virtual convening “Uplifting and celebrating the work of CYD”

October 4, 2023 
"In-Person Creative Youth Development and Arts Education Convening"
ICA Seaport Studio - 100 Pier 4 Blvd, Second Floor
  • Goal: EdVestors and the Mass Cultural Council convened the Fall 2023 Creative Youth Development and Arts Education sector for an opportunity to connect and do artmaking in person as the new school year begins. 
  • Presentation: Please see our slide deck that provides an overview and celebrates the content we gathered on "The role of CYD organizations in Mental Health & Belonging." This includes some of the beautiful messages and artwork created by meeting participants.

July 19 and August 2, 2023
​“Coffee Chats”  
  • Goal: To convene the Youth Arts Impact Network for in-person "Coffee Chats".  Taking place at the EdVestors office in the Back Bay, Julia Gittleman and Creative Youth Development organizations shared best practices and tips for working effectively with schools around communicating and data gathering. Members were also joined by Mass Cultural Council and EdVestors staff to connect and share successes and learnings about partnering with schools.

January 26, 2023  
Youth-led Virtual CYD Community Conversation focused on CYD and Alumni
  • Goal: To explore best practices for elevating youth voice; connecting young people with meaningful resources around mental health, financial literacy, college and career readiness; differently-abled pathways for alumni post-graduation; and engaging the larger network of CYD program alumni. 
  • Presenters: Co-facilitated by CYD orgs and youth program alumni Marquis Victor, founder and executive director of Elevated Thought,  BAI Alumni Advisory Council
  • Notes​

​CYD ALUMNI INITIATIVES in MA
​Youth Arts Leader’s Film Explores
Representation in CYD – Mass Cultural Council 
CYD BIPOC Alumni Council 
BAI Alumni Advisory Council  
Two live presentations: Jeremy Cepeda Moreno and Fiona Shine Duncan
Two recorded: Dawn Recording and Olive Recording 


November 10, 2022 
Convening on CYD and Mental Health:  the need, the current landscape, and visions for active change 
  •  Goal: Creative Youth Development (CYD) organizations are often first responders to mental health crises and have been critical sites for connecting young people, families, and community with local health and social services. The need for services with the youth in CYD organizations has been long-standing but skyrocketed during the pandemic at the same time that the mental health field is experiencing increased demand and workforce shortages. What are existing practices, resources, and innovative ideas that could address both the strengths of our field and the dire need of our young people and CYD organizations at this time?  This session will explore what might be better addressed when cross-sectors work together and build bridges to innovative solutions. 
  • Presenters: Rebecca Kamins, Youth Support Coordinator, Hyde Square Task Force, Brenda Rodriguez-Andujar, Deputy Director, Hyde Square Task Force, Dr. Benjamin Miller, former president, Well-Being Trust, co-author of “Enhancing the Capacity of the Mental Health and Addiction Workforce: A Framework”

September 29, 2022 
In-Person Creative Youth Development and Arts Education Convening. 
  • Goal: EdVestors and the Mass Cultural Council held an in-person convening as an opportunity for the local community to reconnect in person after three years of virtual convenings around remote learning, mental health, and equity in Arts Education and Creative Youth Development.

April 28, 2022 
Health and Well-being of CYD Organizations
  • Goal: Toxic stress, burn out, anxiety, and depression are the unspoken pandemic impacting everyone from young people to Executive Directors within CYD organizations. It’s a complex issue requiring an understanding of root causes, transparency, and innovative approaches for change. The Clare Rose Foundation is approaching the issue in a holistic way by addressing individual, organizational, and systems wellness. They will share their approach in investing in both self-care and collective care to create healthy values and cultures within the CYD ecosystem. We’ll move into break out rooms to discuss and share barriers and best practices to achieve balance and wellness for ourselves, our organizations, and the young people we serve.
  • Presenters: The Clare Rose Foundation in San Diego framed the need and the conversation. Mass Cultural Council shared out data from a recent survey and The Clare Rose Foundation reported on the why, how, what are they were leaning into for a long-term commitment to well-being.
  • Slide Deck 
  • Notes
  • Resources

February 24, 2022 
Living Your Values with Creative Learning Network in Pittsburgh
  • Goal: Pittsburgh-based Creative Learning Network team shared tools, stories, and strategies about how they have collaborated and co-created programs to support teaching artists during the early days of the COVID 19 pandemic. They also offered key strategies for supporting teaching artists and invite participants tell their stories.
  • Presenters: Arts Education Collaborative and Legacy Arts Project work together with support for the Heinz Endowments to provide support to the creative learning ecosystem in Southwestern PA.
  • Slide Deck 
  • Recording
  • Jam Board
  • Zoom Chat​

July 23, 2020 
Trauma-Informed Practice In A Remote Setting (Virtual Forum #3)
  • Goal: To exploring remote trauma-informed practices in arts education and Creative Youth Development (CYD). ​
  • Presenters: Magda Spasiano (Commonwealth Corp), Käthe Swaback (Mass Cultural Council), Evelyn Francis (Consultant and Teaching Artist)
  • Slide Deck
  • Recording
  • Additional Resources: MCC CYD Resources on Trauma