Director's Note: Speak Life

While it is true that neighborhoods, regions, and localities define some communities, there are many that are not restricted by geographical boundaries. Ethnic, racial, religious, social, financial, political, educational, and technological communities transcend traditional concepts of how we define communal systems. Similarly, there are urban, rural, national, international and global communities, each one unique, and at the same time, all these communities share commonalities. These are the environments where families interact, where stories and life experiences are passed on, exchanged and evolve as new. In these communities, families share their knowledge, experiences and fears, and they establish hope.

Recently, representatives from the National League of Cities and the Department of Education visited Salt Lake City to learn more about our universitycommunity- school partnerships that build on the collective knowledge of families and community partners. Over the course of three days, we met with the Rev. Brenda Girton-Mitchell, Director, Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, US Department of Education, Ken Bedell, Senior Advisor for Nonprofit Partnerships at the Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, US Department of Education, and Audrey Hutchinson, Program Director, National League of Cities Institute for Youth, Education and Families. During their visit, I was struck by the genuine concern and commitment that these individuals have toward supporting education and families at the neighborhood level. During one particular conversation, Rev. Brenda Girton-Mitchell shared her own story of finding her way during difficult times. She shared, “there were people who ‘spoke life into me,’ ….they told me that I could do it…..that I was smart….that I could be successful!” She invited the group to share their own stories and to reflect upon those people who spoke life into us.

I can remember it very vividly. I was only five years old and my grandmother, who emigrated from Italy, referred to me as the little old lady. I was so proud, because I understood that this meant that I was wise beyond my years. It was one of the highest compliments I could receive. My grandmother was the first person who spoke life into me. Yet, life was difficult. We were a family of five children, my mother and our elderly grandparents. My mother left school when she was in junior high in order to take a job and assist her siblings with supporting the family. During my childhood, my grandmother suffered three major strokes and we all pitched in to care for her. Nevertheless, my mother was clear and unwavering that we would all go to college. From the time I can remember, my mother would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up. What was my favorite subject in school? What college did I plan on going to? I used to watch Perry Mason on television with my grandparents and I would very proudly say that I would be a lawyer, just like Perry! Even though there was no one in our immediate family who had attended college, it was always expected that I would. My mother spoke life into me.

While I was vulnerable, I was also very fortunate. I had teachers, people at my church, my Aunt Rose and other caring adults who were there for me; they listened to me, they were kind and respectful, they made me feel like I could do it! Maybe you can relate, we all have our personal daily challenges and still there is this magic— this place where the universe aligns and a pathway to our future, the future of our children, and our communities emerges. As if with certain clarity, we understand that it is our engagement in the present, our relationships that are essential.

Over the past year, UNP has centered its partnership work on understanding education pathways. What are those networks, experiences and paths that families take as they find their way through the day-to–day journey of survival to continue their movement and focus on their futures? Indeed, we often find strength in our commitment to provide a better future for the next generation. The perspectives, the visions and the voices of community are the cornerstones of our heritage. They illuminate our dreams and reveal to us the path of our journeys.

Today is the day that we make these changes, that we forge these pathways. We do not have time to wait! The time for our families, for our children, for our communities is now! Who will you speak life into today?