Navigating Education Project:
As our student population becomes more diverse, there is a growing need for culturally relevant services and resources in schools. As part of VOPIN's strategic plan, our Navigating Education (NE) Project is expanding to provide services to other school districts in Kitsap County. This expansion now includes Mount View Middle School (MVMS) in the Bremerton School District. NE believes that establishing early relationships with our students and staff will help create a supportive community for our students and families. Building these early relationships with students will give them a sense of belonging, which many of our diverse student population feel they lack due to challenges that hinder their success.
The "Parable of the River" emphasizes the importance of focusing on both immediate and long-term solutions. While it's crucial to rescue babies downstream, we also need to address the root cause of the problem upstream. In the context of education, this means understanding and addressing the systemic inequities that impact our students. By providing essential and culturally responsive services and resources for our students and families, we can eliminate the inequities that communities of color have endured for decades.
We often talk about the 'American Dream' and encourage our children to be independent, but the reality is that many of our children and families are facing difficult times. The NE project is working to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) with our Bremerton High School (BHS) students and MVMS. When we were students, we tended to spend time with people who were similar to us. In many cases, you can understand our students' challenges by observing who they spend time with. Our most vulnerable students struggle and feel a sense of loss when dealing with peer pressure. Building a trusting relationship with students early on will help us move closer to achieving DEI.
Youth Voice:
Edie Hopper is a junior at BHS and also in the Running Start program. She applied for and earned an internship position with VOPIN's Navigating Education Project, where she helped with multiple tasks, such as tutoring, administrative duties, and being a role model to her peers. More of Edie's story is in the Youth Voice section.
Hope Theory and Positive Psychology:
Hope Navigator Training was sponsored by Kitsap Strong and conducted in partnership with Drs. Chan Hellman and Angela Pharris from the University of Oklahoma's Social Work department. Professors Hellman and Pharris are the directors of the Hope Research Center, which is known for its work on hope as a psychological strength for overcoming trauma and adversity.
Learning how to illustrate hope to our students is one key factor in encouraging them to do well in school and in life. The Search Institute's Developmental Relationships Framework refers to five proven elements to catalyze young people's lives: Express Care, Challenge Growth, Provide Support, Expand Possibilities, and Share Power.
Hope for our children and students starts with communities and individuals who advocate for change and equality and serve our students and families. Our children are overwhelmed with stressors beyond their control, and quite frankly, most of us in the field are burned out due to bureaucratic craziness! We must not fall victim to the notion that 'It's someone else's problem.' Hope is our Fetuta'iala (North Star) and one step on a journey of a thousand miles!
The success of our children is a victory for everyone. Thank you, Fa'afetai tele, Si Yu'os ma'ase, Mahalo, Salamat po sa inyo, Kilisou, and Nga mihi, for the honor of serving our children and families on your behalf. Your exceptional support has made VOPIN's mission and vision a reality. We are profoundly thankful for your partnership!
With Gratitude,
Youth Voice - Edie Hopper
Edie Hopper is a junior at Bremerton High School and in the Running Start program. Being in the Running Start program, Edie is taking college courses and getting first-hand experience with her internship at VOPIN in accounting. Edie's future goal is to be an accountant, which explains her passion for numbers! "I find a lot of joy in numbers... it has nothing to do with art, but I love it." Edie also likes to draw and design stickers. Her entrepreneurial skills turned her creativity into a startup business of her own. She sells stickers!
Edie first learned about Voices of Pacific Island Nations (VOPIN) through the creative writing club she attended last year. She remembers, "I would hang out with them sometimes through that... everyone was very nice, so I kind of hung out more." Every time Edie's writing club was invited to share food to share food with the Navigating Education (NE) Project after-school activities, the executive director (aka Uncle Pat) noticed Edie's kind and appreciative behavior and took notice. Earlier this year, when Edie and Uncle Pat crossed paths in the hallway, Edie excitedly greeted Uncle Pat and explained her 2024-25 school year class schedule. Uncle Pat encouraged Edie to apply for the NE internship opportunity. Without hesitation, Edie accepted the offer and completed the internship onboarding. Edie is well on her way to becoming an accountant by combining accounting principles with hands-on experience in her internship. She is learning first-hand how to navigate the accounting software QuickBooks under the supervision of Uncle Pat.
Reflecting on VOPIN's impact, Edie describes it as a valuable space where students receive support with academics, career planning, and even essentials like food. “It’s nice to have a spot where you can hang out, relax, and get help… I’ve seen kids talk about what they want to do when they grow up and the steps they need to take.” She adds that it’s a place where “people come in throughout the day, and there are always snacks available for anyone who needs them.”
Although Edie feels confident managing her own academics, she appreciates the safe space VOPIN provides. She often finds herself using it during her free time between classes. “I can just hang out there… if I have plans for something, I can talk to them and ask, ‘What do you think?’” she explains.
She plans to earn an associate's degree in accounting, followed by a bachelor's and possibly a master's degree. Edie is well on her way to achieving her goal. She encourages her fellow students to “work hard, do what you enjoy, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.” Edie believes in finding what you're good at and using it to make a positive impact: “See how you can take that thing you love and use it to help people.”
COMMUNITY POWER
Community Power embodies the collective strength, resources, and influence of individuals within a community who work together to address issues, advocate for causes, and improve their collective well-being. This power is created when individuals unite to achieve something bigger than themselves. By collaborating, individuals feel a sense of belonging, appreciation, and empowerment to contribute positively to their community's well-being.
Make a Student Wish Come True
We can all relate to our excitement when our wishes come true, such as owning our first car, a new home, or that trip we long for. One of the NE's works is to find ways to help our students stay engaged and focus on their studies by providing social-emotional support. Most of our students are from low-income families; two have expressed their love for their French classes at BHS and are in a bind. They both want to join their French class club on a truly once-in-a-lifetime field trip to France in the Spring but cannot afford it.
Please join the Navigating Education Project by donating to our 'GoFundMe' campaign. Your contribution, no matter how small, can make a huge difference in making TJ and Mili's dream of joining their peers on the once-in-a-lifetime trip to France a reality. We are deeply grateful for your support.
Aniya Clark's Inspiring Journey with VOPIN!
Aniya Clark, a standout student, has embarked on a transformative journey with VOPIN's Navigating Education Project. Her leadership skills have the power to motivate her peers to actively engage in their educational paths for the collective benefit. Aniya's tenure as an intern and a role model in our project has culminated in her earning the esteemed role of Olympic College Student Body President!
The adage that it takes a village to raise a child rings true, and it takes a compassionate community to nurture and educate our youth. Aniya, who is of Filipino and African American descent, has made us immensely proud with her achievements!
Pasefika (Pacific Islander) Language Survey
Hafa Adai, Talofa, Aloha, Malo e lelei, Kamusta na, Ran allum, Kia ora, Bula, Fakaalofa atu, Mauri, and Hello!
The future of our community relies on our culture, arts and crafts, beliefs, and values. Losing our cultural identity is a path to culture extinguishment. To continue to preserve our cultural identity and better serve our community, we humbly request your assistance in completing this short anonymous survey. This information will help us develop programs addressing language and other barriers for our children, youth, and families.
It takes a Village to raise a Child, and it also takes a Village to educate Our Children!
Unleash Your Inner Hero!
For less than the cost of a 'tall' Starbucks drink, your gift of $10 a month can significantly impact our children's future, giving them the opportunity to thrive. It's not just a donation; it's an investment in their dreams and aspirations!
Together, we can make a difference. Your contribution will help us enhance our Navigating Education project and guide our students towards a brighter future. Thank you for being part of this collective effort!
Standing in unity for our Pasefika students, their voices resound with appreciation:
Fa'afetai tele, Mahalo, Si Yu'os Ma'ase, Salamat, Malo-e-lelei, Kinisou, Kinisou chapur, Whakawhetai koe.
Embrace your inner hero and change lives today!
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