From: Jaclyn Vanosdol, Amanda Reid, Jessica Bachmann,
Columbus, Seymour
As a white mother of white children, I want to applaud BCSC for their commitment and collaboration with the NAACP to create a mentoring program geared towards Black, Brown and biracial children in our county. I am proud that BCSC is taking steps to ensure all children are successful now and in the future.
The National Mentoring Resource Center provides decades of research around the myriad of benefits specifically when Black and Brown children have mentors that they can racially identify with, demonstrating the exact value of programs such as this.
As a responsible and informed parent, I acknowledge the history of systemic racism in our country and how it impacts communities of color today.
As a responsible member of the community, I see the importance of ensuring our community organizations are building programs that can help to drive equity, especially in the treatment and opportunities for the children of Columbus and the surrounding county.
As a white woman, I have privilege. My children will also operate in this world with privilege. That privilege does not diminish other struggles we as a family might experience, but instead is an acknowledgement that the color of my children’s skin will never be one of those struggles.
I am grateful for organizations such as the Urban Institute, National Urban League, and the NAACP that help my family educate ourselves about the oppressive systems that Black and Brown communities live every single day, so we can recognize and appreciate the value of these programs even if the same programs do not directly benefit my own children.
Every child deserves a mentor that they can identify with in personal and meaningful ways, and that is why I stand with BCSC and the NAACP for ensuring that can be a reality for all children in our community.
