Launch of the Partners for Youth Confab

From Left: Chairman-Partners for Youth Foundation Clinton DaCosta, Broward Superintendent of Schools, Robert Runcie, Secretary, Partners for Youth Foundation- Noelle Baldwin, Ret'd Chief of Police- Andrew Smalling, Davie's Mayor Judy Paul, Vice-Chair, Partners for Youth Foundation-Steve Higgins, Directors, Partners for Youth- Dr. Rose-Marie Lewis & Abigail Thompson, Consul General of Jamaica- R. Oliver Mair.

Inaugural Confab a Huge Success!

Electrifying Partners for Youth Confab Launch

The Partners for Youth Foundation (PFY) presented the CONFAB, which hosted an impressive cadre of officials including the Mayor of Davie - Judy Paul, Consul General of Jamaica – Oliver Mair, Broward Superintendent of Schools- Robert Runcie and retired Chief of Police for Lauderdale Lakes, Andrew Smalling, who is now running for Broward Sheriff. Each speaker gave poignant accounts to their audience, ranging from recounting their own experience, to delivering an exhortation to students, to be the best they can.

The students were also captivated by other presentations made by Noelle Baldwin (Scholarships and University choices), Dr. Rose-Marie Lewis (Health & Wellness), Clinton DaCosta (Finance- You & Your Money), attorney and marriage/ family therapist Shari Warner (impact of Social Media), Yvonne Barnett ( Immigration & Human Trafficking and Teen therapist Chyvonne Martin on Coping Skills. The Confab was hosted and moderated by Vice-Chair Steve Higgins.

But it was the Q&A period that electrified the proceedings, when a student asked what is being done to protect them at school. Both the Superintendent and the Police Chief responded with reassurances, backed by a report on the measures now in place. The second student however, who stood, and in frank and firm articulation, stated that she and many of her schoolmates were now suffering from anxiety related to the frequent and terrifying drills now being conducted in their schools. While stating her truth, she displayed authentic and raw emotion, broke down in utter resignation to her pain, only to be joined by a host of other students and adults who also began crying. Their frustration with the current situation became obvious and telling, and it also was made clear that students apparently ‘do not trust the system’ of ‘if you hear something, say something’, even with the promise of anonymity. This commotion brought to the fore, the urgent need to amend the ‘fixes’ that have been passed by Florida State (Tallahassee) to measures more sensitive to student’s mental and emotional state and comfort. It also begs for the opportunity to methodically and deliberately bridge the gap between students and local stakeholders (Schools & the Police department).

Main speakers: Mayor Judy Paul opened the session by launching the Confab and cutting the ceremonial ribbon signifying the inauguration. The Mayor then shared her own story with the attendees, which centered around the paramount importance of completing one’s education, regardless of distractions.

Superintendent Runcie also spoke from the heart with his own experience, coming from extremely humble beginnings in Trelawny, Jamaica, and through studying hard at school, earned his Bachelor’s degree at the prestigious Harvard University. He spoke about his steady focus, which led to his many achievements, encouraging the youth to make that choice. Superintendent Runcie then dealt with the matter of students’ ability to manage their emotions. “The greatest gift we can give our kids”, he said, “is the ability to handle their emotion and life’s challenges. If you cannot handle your emotions, your life will be more difficult”. He then reported on the many successes of the Broward schools today, including the rollout of innovative Apps such as “SaferWatch”- and “FortifyFl”, both of which allow students to anonymously report incidents- “If you see something, say something”. Upon hearing about this App, all attendees instantly downloaded it on their mobile phones. Runcie mentioned the installation of Tip lines, the $110M spent on security, campus monitors, 13,000 cameras with real-time 24/7access, upgrades to the intercom systems, the Broward Behavioral Health coalition and a resolution passed NOT to have guns carried by teachers in school.

Chief Smalling spoke about the tension between police officers and the society and the need to re-establish trust and work together. He pleaded with students to always be respectful to the officer, who is there to protect and to serve, observe the name tag, the department patch on their shoulder and to address them properly. He read a passionate poem which he penned, about the frustration of a police officer always wanting to do good, but sometimes vilified because of the action they must take.

Our exit interviews reflected the gratitude of the youth present at the Confab. They all reported that they were appreciative and benefitted from this engagement.

The objective of hearing from our youngsters in a forum of togetherness, mutual respect and constructive understanding has been met” said Steve Higgins, Vice-chairman of the PFY board. “The youth were engaged, enthusiastic, honest and forthright in our discussion, which will now continue through the Partners for Youth Foundations’ relationships with all stakeholders”, declared Chairman Clinton DaCosta.

PFY'S OWN NOELLE BALDWIN NAMED IES ABROAD ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

Noelle Baldwin Named IES Abroad Associate Director for Diversity Recruiting & Advising

Post by IES Abroad September 24, 2021 We are always looking for ways to make our leadership and influence more global and expansive, and we realize that this work starts with having a dynamic and dedicated team at home to service the students studying abroad. That's why IES Abroad is so pleased to announce the appointment of Noelle Baldwin as our Associate Director for Diversity Recruiting & Advising. In this new role, Noelle will be expanding experiences and empowering students as a member of the Diversity Relations team. Noelle has been with IES Abroad for seven years, previously holding the position of Senior College Relations Manager covering the Mid-Atlantic region and advising for Paris summer programs. We connected with Noelle for a short interview to learn more about her committment to diversity and inclusion, as well as how her personal story factors into her work, making it all intrinsically motivating. Noelle's insight in this interview shines a light on what makes her story unique and reinforces the importance of representation, accessibility, personal/professional values, and service to "paying it forward" to others. IES Abroad: What has your experience been like working with IES over the years? How has it led to you filling this role? Noelle Baldwin (NB): My experience with IES Abroad over the past seven years has been dynamic! Managing relationships across the Mid-Atlantic region, advising, connecting with students on a personal level, it’s all informed my experience and desire to champion for as much access as I can in whatever roles I step into. From large state institutions, to small liberal arts colleges, Historically Black Colleges & Universities to Predominantly White Institutions, I have been able to support a wide crosssection of students, but in particular underrepresented students. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Antiracism (DEIA) has always been a core value for me and when given the opportunity to partner on initiatives around this topic, I have jumped in head first. Seeing our IDEA initiative continue to grow and having worked so closely with our Diversity Team over the years, it felt like an organic fit! IES Abroad: What are you most excited to create or work on in your new role? NB: I am excited to reach even more students across the United States, and expand beyond the Mid-Atlantic region. The idea of collaborating on new projects and challenging myself to create new pathways for historically marginalized groups is fueling so many ideas! I am excited to be a part of the effort to make lasting change in what study abroad can look like. If journeying through this pandemic has taught me anything, it is the knowledge that there has to be a new normal and I am so excited to uncover what that will mean for DEIA within the space of international education. IES Abroad: What values will you uphold or bring the DEIA team as you become the Associate Director? NB: Our team is outstanding and I am honored to work with these phenomenal humans! So I hope to uphold values that are paramount to this team and organization. I believe those to be authenticity, empathy, creativity, and collaboration. These are some of my personal/professional values and I hope that comes through as I step into this role of Associate Director. "Whether unknowingly or not, I have been on a journey throughout my life to build bridges, unlearn, and be a force for equity. Whether it be through courses in my graduate program or my 13 years of experience in this career, my identity is a key aspect in how I see and navigate spaces." IES Abroad: What does representation mean to you in relation to this work with IES Abroad? NB: To me, representation means that communities who have always had a voice, but historically have not been heard, are a part of the narrative. I hope that our work at IES Abroad continues to champion for representation across all levels because it matters! IES Abroad: How has working with IES Abroad aided your own self-definition journey as a Black woman or your experiences of DEIA work? NB: I have always had a strong sense of my cultural identity and heritage. Growing up in South Florida as a first-generation American (my parents and grandparents all hail from the beautiful island of Jamaica), I was taught from a very young age to be proud of my cultural heritage. Through my experiences as President of the United Black Students organization at my Alma Mater, the University of Miami, I gained an even deeper sense of my identity and what that meant in the greater context of the African Diaspora. Being a Black woman and working in this DEIA space, for me, is natural. Whether unknowingly or not, I have been on a journey throughout my life to build bridges, unlearn, and be a force for equity. Whether it be through courses in my graduate program or my 13 years of experience in this career, my identity is a key aspect in how I see and navigate spaces. Working with IES Abroad has allowed me, as a professional, to take my life experiences and channel them into a tool that I can use to keep building more opportunities across systemically ignored communities. Representation matters and I am excited to take up space and move the work of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-racism forward in this new role. We happily congratulate Noelle on her new role and look forward to her continuing to transform global experiences at IES Abroad.

Partners For Youth Foundation On A Mission

FT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA: August 16, 2021- “Growing up in today’s environment, our youth face so many complex challenges in life, unlike the days of innocence when the older generation grew up!”

So said newly installed Chairman of the Partners For Youth Foundation (PFY) Steve Higgins, as he delivered his address at the induction ceremony of the new PFY board at the picturesque Plantation Preserve Golf & Country Club on Saturday August 14th 2021.

Higgins continued, “It is up to us to have the conversations with our Youth, and to bring them to the table to discuss the matters that may challenge them. Our CONFAB of 2020 offered insights in Health & Wellness- including Mental Health, Scholarship opportunities, discussions around Culture and Financial responsibility”.

The new chairman stated that the administration will take the mission to the next level, through individual and corporate membership expansion, the establishment of strategic alliances with other youth-centric organizations, extension of our Scholarship program, launch of quarterly PFY on-line discussion series by the youth among the youth, in a safe and nonjudgmental environment, the launch of “PFY quarterly Huddle”, where presenters will address topics of critical relevance, such as human trafficking, and the launch of our Annual February Confab in 2022.

The newly inducted executive, which included Eddy Edwards (vice chair) and Dr Rose Adamson Lewis, was sworn in by the Honorable Jacqueline Powell, Judge of the 17th Judicial District of Florida. Other members of the Board include Secretary- Noelle Baldwin, Treasurer- Clinton DaCosta, Jermaine Smith, Abigail Thompson (UK) and Colin Waite.

The Consul General of Jamaica R. Oliver Mair brought greetings, while Commissioner and former Mayor of Broward County Dale Holness, addressed the gathering, pledging support for the 501c3 entity and its new board. Apologies were sent by the Mayor of Davie, Judy Paul.

Vice Chair Eddy Edwards gave a history of the Foundation, which was founded by Anthony (Tony) Baker, Marcia Rigg-Baker, June Minto and Michael Rigg. ABI STARTIME, which included Flavia Christopher, was a pre-cursor to PFY, and included a charm and dance school, centered on Tony’s passion for the arts and our youth. After Tony’s death, the PFY was activated as a 501c3 entity, through which the annual Miss Jamaica Florida Pageant was staged. For over two decades, the PFY has been awarding the Anthony Baker & Marcia Rigg-Baker scholarships annually to a young lady pursuing the arts, the most recent being 2021.

The PFY induction was attended by Diaspora representative Dr Allan Cunningham, Youth Diaspora Representative Amaya Lewis and representatives of various organizations, which share a passion for our youth. Reverend Gerald Gallimore Jr. gave the invocation and Master Matthew Higgins treated the audience with a superb rendition of “God Bless America”.