Love
Hope
Gratitude
I’ve been thinking recently a lot about fear and the role it plays in the work we do at Stand for Children. We’re advocates at our core, and in this work we’re building relationships with people – mostly parents – who carry a lot of fear with them every day. Whether it’s fear for their children’s future or fears sparked by a tumultuous political climate or fears that go along with the self-doubt they (and all of us) carry with us every day. Simply put, fear and advocacy go hand-in-hand when you really stop and think about it.
The question becomes: how do we teach ourselves to hold both of those things – being legitimately scared about outcomes that may take shape, while finding the hope and courage to achieve a better outcome through our work and influence? There’s nothing wrong with feeling fear – it’s an essential emotion that plays an important role in keeping us safe in times of immediate danger. But for advocates, like our team and the amazing parents we work with, we can’t operate strategically or effectively if we’re coming at a problem or challenge from a place of fear. We can’t let fear begin to crumble the foundation we stand on. So, what is the response to fear? It comes down to getting in the right mindset – one that keeps us centered in what IS and what can BE (within our sphere of control and influence).
When it comes to centering ourselves on what is, I’m a big believer in the power of gratitude. The way our minds are wired to work, it’s almost impossible to feel anxious and fearful at the same time we’re thinking deeply about the people and activities in our life that fill us with joy and a sense of gratitude. (Just try it. In a moment of high stress focus your thoughts on being thankful for the people you love and the opportunities you have and pay attention to what happens with your anxious thoughts and feelings. They may not go away completely, but the weight of those stressful thoughts should be significantly lessened.)
It just so happens that we’re in that time of year where gratitude takes center stage – whether through retail marketing, a prayer said before a family meal, or a school assignment that comes home in backpacks. My advice to everyone within our Stand family is to lean into this push for gratitude – but not because the holiday requires it. Do it for your own mental health. And do it to get prepared for all the ways we’ll continue to work towards more equitable schools for our children in 2025.
Organizationally, we have so much to be grateful for starting with the remarkable advocates that drive our work – both in IPS and at the statehouse. Nothing makes me prouder to be part of this organization than thinking about the numerous parents who began their time with Stand feeling hesitant in their ability to advocate, only to evolve into leaders who are influencing top policy makers and driving change in their own communities – sometimes independent of their involvement with Stand. And my appreciation runs deep for the donors who make all of Stand’s work with parents possible. From The Mind Trust to Glick Philanthropies to the Joyce Foundation to the Lilly Foundation – along with so many individual donors – we are blessed to have funders who believe deeply in the importance of parent and community voices guiding change in our education system. Of course, none of this amazing work happens without our Stand team – Kayla Mattas, Elton Lassiter, Carolina Figueroa, Kristin Casper, Erin Browne and Elia James – all of whom are among the smartest, most dedicated and most resilient people you’re ever going to find in our city.
Yes, fear can be a motivator, as they say. But more times than not, fear leads to inaction and a mindset where progress seems out of reach. As advocates, let’s get ready for what’s next by getting into a mindset fueled by gratitude, where we take stock of the people around us and the opportunities ahead to make progress for children who need our help to reach their full potential.
Thank you all for being part of this journey with Stand. Let’s get ready for an impactful 2025.
