Nik

Nik

  • Joined: August 19, 2016
  • Articles: 766

UVC Enables “Delving Deeper” into Race

For the last three years, under the aegis of the theme Skin in The Game, United Voices for Children (UVC) has succeeded in creating courageous space and facilitating critical conversations on how race—on both a systemic and individual basis—affects the ways that children and families are served. This year’s workshop, held on September 14th and entitled “Delving Deeper; Race and Well-Being,” convened a diverse group of more than 50 people, including, faith leaders, educators and social workers who serve children and their families.

Register Now for Delving Deeper: Race & Well-being Workshop

Registration is open for the Delving Deeper: Racism & Well-Being workshop coming up on Saturday morning, September 14, 2019.  Delving Deeper will feature Dr. Marcus Campbell, Aracely Canchola and Taya Kinzie, LCSW--Evanston Township High School's best--engaging participants in a deeper look at the interconnectedness of race and well-being, reflecting on personal identity and biases, as they related to our relationships with others. 

Child Advocacy Award Has Staying Power

The question of the day should always be: “How are the children doing today?” People in children, youth, family ministry and related child-centered fields know that when the children are thriving, love and justice abide. United Voices for Children honors persons every year who provide outstanding leadership, service and advocacy in programs with children and youth.

UVC Announces Annual Awards

United Voices for Children has announced the recipients of its 2019 annual awards for outstanding advocacy and service for children and youth in Northern Illinois. These persons will be honored at the United Voices for Children (UVC) Breakfast on Tuesday morning, June 4th, at 6:45 a.m. during the Northern Illinois Annual Conference session.

Forethoughts for Fifth Sunday Appeal

I am always on the lookout for engaging ideas for Children's Messages during worship...plus it is important to help our children and families make important connections to giving and receiving as people of faith. Recently, I was able to do this during the month of December--a great time of year to model giving and receiving! Plus, December has 5 Sundays in it, so I knew there was an opportunity to promote the 5th Sunday Appeal for United Voices for Children.

Star Words

Churches often mark the end of Christmas with a retelling of the visit of the Magi, or wisemen, on Epiphany (January 6). The Magi’s support and savvy may make them the earliest recorded child advocates. They serve as an example of how we might advocate and support children in Illinois throughout the coming year.

Youth Talk About Race

The youth panelists from United Voices for Children (UVC)’s August 25th workshop, Colors of Love: Raising Children in a Racially Unjust World--Jaelyn Pirtle (Gorham UMC, Chicago), Lucy Hermann (Trinity UMC, Mt. Prospect) and Abigail Mendoza (First UMC, Park Ridge)--were interviewed on a recent Different Drummers show produced by Greater Chicago Broadcast Ministries.

Positive Psychology

The first step along the path of improving well-being is to identify your core signature strengths. Cross-cultural research has identified 24 character strengths in the areas of wisdom, courage, humanity, justice, temperance, and transcendence. Some examples can include a love for learning, honesty, kindness, leadership, or even hope. By understanding and deliberately utilizing our core strengths on the different life tasks in positive psychology, we can find joy and meaning in life in a way that feels compatible with our personality and who we are.

Register Now for Colors of Love Workshop

Registration is open for the Colors of Love: Raising Children in a Racially Unjust World training event coming up on Saturday, August 25, 2018 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at First UMC in Elmhurst, Illinois. Register by August 22nd at the link below. The $25 fee includes lunch.

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