In a remarkable display of unwavering community support, Board of Child Care’s annual Jim Young Memorial Golf Tournament once again exceeded all expectations!
This cherished event—held in memory of the late Jim Young—has a profound impact on the lives of youth served in our Pennsylvania programs. This year’s tournament raised an astounding $63,150 in support!
To every golfer, sponsor, volunteer, and supporter who contributed to the success of this event, we extend our heartfelt gratitude. Thank you for helping us make a lasting impact and honoring the memory of Jim Young through our collective dedication to—and FORE—the kids!
Nelson Mandela once said that “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
Education—be it a college degree, vocational school, or learning a trade—can drastically change a person’s position and situation. Education can open doors and windows to opportunities that otherwise might not be available to an individual.
Unfortunately, a higher education can be costly, and many come from a place where it might not be feasible to attend pay for it. Those driven try to find ways to pay for it. Some are able to secure scholarships to fill in financial gaps. Others join the military and take advantage of the education benefits they get from their service. A majority end up in debt through loans.
At BCC, we see the need to make education more accessible for others. Not everyone has the ability to secure scholarships, join the military, or have had parents set aside money for a college fund.
As such, it has been part of our ethos to develop our talent and promote growth, both professionally and personally. We are able to do that through our college tuition assistance program where we provide members of our staff with $5,000 a year to help pay for a degree or certification. Though not everyone uses the benefit, those who do are able to attain something that they otherwise might not be able.
Let’s face it: there are careers that require degrees and training. On-the-job and life experiences are invaluable, but industry standards also dictate the requirements needed for various career fields. BCC hopes to bridge the gap between our staff’s talents and their opportunities for growth. That is equity.
As we move toward the future, we plan on highlighting the benefits we provide to our talents in order for them to be successful. The tuition reimbursement program is one of the best practices currently in place to retain, train, and invest in our people. We hope to highlight our talents who have used it and celebrate their achievements. Graduation party anyone?
Rev. Amor Del Rosario Director of Spiritual Life, BCC Baltimore
August doesn’t signify the start of a new calendar year, but it has always felt like a time of new beginnings for me.
For some, August means returning to reality after a summer vacation. For students and teachers, it means kicking off a new school year. For all, the promise of crisp, cooler temperatures is in the air as we prepare to wel come autumn.
We are moving towards a time of change, which can often be both exciting and nerve-wracking.
This past June at our Strawbridge School commencement ceremony, I talked about the idea of “Imua” in Hawaiian culture, my personal heritage. Imua means “to move forward” or “to move ahead” towards a goal. I am sharing this message with our wider community as we all collectively dive into a new season of life, whatever that may look like for each of us. This may be a time of challenges, celebrations, adventures, or peace — no matter what, I encourage you to take this idea of Imua with you. Move forward through the change, working towards the goals you have in place for yourself.
So what does Imua mean? The term was made famous by King Kamehemaha I, the ali’i (king) who unified the Hawaiian islands. Before battle, Kamehameha would rally and call out to his warriors. He would say, “Imua e nā poki‘i a inu i ka wai ‘awa‘awa, ‘a‘ohe hope e ho‘i mai ai.” This translates to: “Forward my young brothers and drink of the bitter waters, there is no turning back.”
When I think of Imua and how to take steps forward in times of change, I am often reminded of this quote from U.S. Navy Admiral William McRaven.
“If you make your bed every morning, you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride, and it will encourage you to do another task and another and another. By the end of the day, that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed. Making your bed will also reinforce the fact that little things in life matter… And, if by chance you have a miserable day, you will come home to a bed that is made—that you made—and a made bed gives you encouragement that tomorrow will be better.”
The little things in life can make the biggest difference and the most impact. Keep doing those little things that bring joy and purpose, even if it’s just making your bed. It will give you the confidence you need to go forward through life as change and new beginnings come your way.
I wish you Imua and a wonderful start to this new season.
Rev. Amor Del Rosario Director of Spiritual Life, BCC Baltimore
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over again and expecting different results. A practice we have here at BCC is to learn from what we have done in the past and adapt it to our current practices, realizing that there is not just one way to complete a task.
In June we had celebrated Juneteenth across the majority of our organization and it was deemed a “great success.” We learned and integrated best practices from the event last year.
Here is an excerpt from the Compass blog written by our CEO, LA Spangnola wrote last year:
“At BCC, we set a goal to improve our celebration and understanding of Juneteenth. In 2021, just days before the federal government approved Juneteenth as a federal holiday, BCC put together its first Juneteenth celebration. Staff members who worked that day received double pay, and we organized meals at several BCC campuses. But we quickly realized we didn’t include enough staff in the planning for the day. This year, we reached out to more staff members and received more feedback on how to celebrate Juneteenth in a way that was truly meaningful. We also added more educational opportunities about the holiday so staff throughout BCC could gain a deeper understanding of the day’s meaning.”
Here are the ways that we implemented the lessons learned from last year:
1. Each campus (PA, WV, and MD) had a planning team that consulted other staff and each other in planning
2. Menu was planned accordingly to cultural celebration and appropriate decoration were used
3. Appropriated funding and support was allocated by the EDI committee
4. Educational materials, such as bulletin boards and handouts about Junteenth were given away at the celebrations
Even with the “great success” we still have an opportunity to learn and grow as we plan for next year. The big realization is the need to be intentionally inclusive of all our campuses and also include them in the planning and execution of our celebration. With this in mind, we endeavor to:
Assign an EDI outreach person to each campus to ensure that all BCC locations are included in the celebration conversation.
Create and print out more educational materials to be distributed to the campuses.
With every EDI led initiative and celebration, there is room to learn, engage, and improve. That is the great thing about this work: we are always learning and growing together!
Moving forward, especially as we prepare for our agency-wide Hispanic Heritage Celebration, we will keep in mind the lessons learned from our past events to help us share with the world the richness of the people at the Board of Child Care.
At Board of Child Care, we firmly believe that volunteers are the lifeblood of our mission. Their selfless dedication and unwavering support have been instrumental in driving positive change and creating a lasting impact on the lives of those we serve. Recently, we had the privilege of hosting our Volunteer Annual Meeting – back together in person after four long years – and the experience was a heartwarming reminder that Board of Child Care is a family of compassionate souls bound by the shared desire to enrich communities, one family at a time.
The meeting was also an occasion to acknowledge the dedication and commitment of our long-standing volunteers. Even as we transitioned from the Auxiliary to the Volunteer Corps, many of our volunteers have been with us for several years, and their loyalty has been a guiding light for others to follow. To honor the history of volunteerism at Board of Child Care – and the irreplaceable impact of volunteer service – we created and awarded the inaugural Auxiliary Award. This year’s recipient was Barbara Dougherty!
“When I first met Barbara, she was the President of the Washington West District of the Board of Child Care Auxiliary, and I was a brand-new Key Person for Providence UMC. Barbara served for many years as the Conference Treasurer for the Auxiliary. When I was Conference President, Barbara was the one who was always there by my side. The two of us worked together to maintain the Auxiliary programs for the youth and families served by BCC. Barbara was most generous with her time and talent, as well as her donations to the work we did. Her dedication to those the Auxiliary served meant so much, not only to the youth, but also the staff who knew her well. Barbara has a true heart for service!” – Sue Everhart (Member, Board of Child Care’s Board of Directors)
The Volunteer Annual Meeting provided an opportunity for volunteers to connect with one another on a deeper level. Friendships were forged, and networks were expanded, creating a strong support system that extends beyond the walls of our organization. The sense of camaraderie and shared passion has strengthened our collective resolve to tackle even greater challenges in the future.
As we celebrate the impact of our volunteers, it’s important to recognize that their efforts and actions create a ripple effect that touches the lives of countless individuals and communities. By volunteering their time, skills, and compassion, they inspire others to join the cause, creating a chain reaction of positive change that knows no bounds.
If you are not already, we invite you to consider becoming a member of the Volunteer Corps and experience the profound joy of giving back. No matter your background or expertise, there is a place for you in our organization. Your unique talents and perspective contribute to the transformative work we do in countless, meaningful ways. Want to help Board of Child Care connect with like-minded, mission focused congregations and community groups? Simply click here to request a guest speaker!
To our volunteers, we extend our deepest gratitude – you are the heart and soul of our organization, and we are immensely proud to have you by our side. Let us forge ahead – celebrating community in unity – and continue this special work together!
We hold a significant responsibility to ensure the well-being of all our youth, and this includes those who identify as members of the –queer community. Queer describes sexual and gender identities other than straight and cisgender. Queer is sometimes used to express that sexuality and gender can be complicated, change over time, and might not fit neatly into either/or identities, like male or female, gay or straight. Creating a supportive and inclusive environment for queer youth extends beyond direct care – it includes fostering a workplace culture that supports and empowers queer employees and creating positive relationships and role models for marginalized youth.
To effectively serve marginalized communities, BCC strives to understand the intricacies and complexities of marginalization. To do this important work, we rely heavily on the efforts of our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity (EDI) Committee. Our EDI Committee is an organization-wide committee of employees that work together to advocate for marginalized groups in our workforce. Through the work of the EDI Committee, we encourage employees to share their experiences, concerns, and ideas related to marginalized inclusion.
Creating a safe environment of open dialogue and communication is essential in supporting queer employees.
By actively listening to and addressing this feedback, BCC can ensure that the voices of queer employees are heard, and necessary improvements are made. Through this feedback, we have launched many initiatives that benefit the queer community, such as the expansion of employee benefits to include unmarried life partners. These modifications will help our employees with the stressors outside of work, and in turn create a more positive milieu for our employees.
Encouraging the visibility of queer employees is also integral to the support of queer youth. For any marginalized community, visibility challenges narrow societal expectations and demonstrates the richness and diversity within the group, dismantling harmful assumptions and misconceptions while promoting a more accurate understanding of their experiences, struggles, and contributions. This is especially critical to the youth we serve, many of whom come from environments barren of acceptance and understanding. In addition to the emotional benefits for the employee, visibility of our queer employees helps to show our queer youth that both support and success are attainable; it allows youth to see a bit of themselves in employees and serves to strengthen their positive relationships and, ultimately, their own personal identity.
To cultivate a workplace of understanding and visibility, BCC strives to foster an inclusive culture that embraces diversity, aims for cultural competency, and respects the identities of all employees, including but not limited to:
Comprehensive non-discrimination policies that explicitly include sexual orientation and gender identity.
Inclusivity and diversity training for new employees.
Conversation-style educational seminars for current employees and teams.
Equal opportunity for career advancement and professional development.
Gender-affirming healthcare coverage.
Inclusive parental leave policies for same-sex couples.
As we grow in the regions we serve and as our employees become more and more diverse, BCC is always mindful of setting LGBTQ+-inclusive policies and benefits to support the well-being of queer employees. By addressing these specific needs, we honor our commitment to supporting queer employees, creating an inclusive workplace, and acknowledge that these offerings are integral for employee safety.
— Groundbreaking legislation will create a more equitable system for social workers in Maryland —
The Board of Child Care (BCC) today announced that its Executive Director of Maryland & DC Programs, Nicole Smith, has been recognized for her instrumental role in the creation and passage of new legislation aimed at addressing racial disparities in social work exam passing rates.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore recently signed into law a bill that will address the social worker shortage and the racial disparities in passing rates for the national exams administered by the Association of Social Work Boards. Smith and her colleagues worked closely with a group of people to challenge the inequity of the exam and advocated for the bill, HB 145, which is now law.
With the new law in place, a formal workgroup, funded by the Maryland Department of Health, will work to find an alternative to the current test due to the disparity. The results of the exam have shown that there are disparate passing rates for black and brown social workers. According to data, between 2011 and 2021 in Maryland, the first-time pass rates for white and Black test takers were 93% and 56%, respectively.
A leading voice in the call for change, Smith joined others in Annapolis who were instrumental in the bill to witness Governor Moore enact the law that will not only benefit Maryland’s social workers, but those who receive their care and services aimed at improving their improving their lives.
“This new law is a significant step towards addressing the racial disparities in social work exam passing rates, and it is a testament to the hard work and dedication of Nicole Smith and her colleagues,” said Laurie Anne Spagnola, CEO of the Board of Child Care.
“Nicole’s commitment to equity and justice is inspiring, and we are incredibly proud to have her as a member of our team.”
About the Board of Child Care
The Board of Child Care is a private, 501(c)3 not-for-profit that has been serving youth and their families for over 145 years. The organization’s history is rooted in faith, with its early beginnings being several orphanages operated by the United Methodist Church throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Following several mergers, first in 1960 and another in 2019, it is known today as the Board of Child Care. With a staff of 700+, an annual budget around $50 million, and its network of partners, BCC supports communities via a national footprint of programs that extend across the Eastern half of the United States. Its broad spectrum of services to youth and their families includes residential, mental/behavioral health, trauma response, family support, and education. To learn more or see how you can get involved, visit www.boardofchildcare.org
The 100th Battalion, 442nd Regiment is the most highly decorated unit in the US Army. They have the most Medal of Honor, Purple Heart, Bronze Star, etc. recipients than any other unit in the US Army. Here is the kicker—they were made up of all Japanese American Soldiers or Nisei. They were segregated from the rest of the Army because of their race and because of the fear that filled the country after the bombing of Pearl Harbor by Japan. Yet, they all felt the need and call to serve their country.
The 100th Battalion motto is “Go For Broke” a Hawaiian pidgin slogan meaning “do your best” or “Go for it!” Despite the negative national sentiment towards Japanese Americans during that time, they were determined to “Go for Broke.”
Asian American and Pacific Islander Month recognizes and celebrates and increases awareness of the rich history, contributions, and accomplishments of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans and the members of the 100th Battalion are part of this history.
Our CEO, Laurie Anne “LA” Spagnola wrote in her latest all-staff message:
“Recently, Nicole reported to the Equity Diversity and Inclusion committee about her efforts to bring awareness and equity to Maryland’s Social Work licensing exam.
The results of the exam support disparate passing rates for black and brown social workers. Nicole worked with a group of people to challenge the inequity of the exam and advocated for a bill that is now law. The new law will develop a process that examines the data and the exam, pauses some parts of the Maryland Social Work exam process, and informs a more just process for all social workers.”
GO FOR BROKE, NICOLE!
“Go For Broke!” is definitely not limited to our AAPI community:
Our Caminos Team, to include Kelly Berger, Michael Lynch, Emily Claure, Jordan Jones, and SharnettKelly presented a training session at the United Methodist Association Conference and brought forth the positive impact that the program has had on many youth and families across the nation.
Our Caminos program serves and cares for recently migrated youth from all over the world and they have been engaging with other children’s service organizations to help service this population. The Caminos Teams shared their expertise, stories, passion, and learning experience with a group of colleagues setting the bar of care for these vulnerable kids. GO FOR BROKE, Caminos Team!
How can you embody the spirit of the 100th Battalion and what are your “Go For Broke” moments? What could be keeping you from moving forward in the spirit of “doing your best”? Are there members of the AAPI community in your life and how have they made an impact on you? What positive ways could you engage with the AAPI community and hear their stories?
It is with heavy hearts that Board of Child Care (BCC) announces the passing of Arianna Davis, daughter to BCC staff member, Antionette Belk. Arianna was struck by gunfire while riding in her family’s vehicle this past Mother’s Day, and sadly succumbed to her injuries yesterday.
Ms. Antoinette, as she is affectionately known by her students, is a teacher at BCC’s Early Learning Program in Washington. She has the truly incredible gift of fostering a joyful, caring, and compassionate classroom environment. Her dedication, commitment, and unwavering spirit make a lasting impact on her students and all who enter her classroom.
“The loss of a child is an indescribable sorrow, and we are united in offering our deepest condolences to Ms. Antoinette and her entire family,” said Laurie Anne Spagnola, BCC’s President & CEO. “In light of this tragedy, we are extending our full support to Ms. Antoinette and all of our DC staff, both professionally and personally, as they grieve and begin the healing process.”
BCC has made resources and support available to ensure that Ms. Antoinette and the wider BCC team have access to a variety of assistance. These include ongoing mental health resources, such as access to an on-site licensed counselor as well as local support through the Department of Health. All staff have access to an employee assistance program (EAP) as well as paid time off to attend to their personnel wellbeing and recovery. The center will be closed on the day of Arianna’s funeral.
BCC also recognizes that incidents of gun violence are devastating and affect countless lives in our communities and beyond. We stand firmly in advocating for sensible gun control measures and supporting organizations dedicated to reducing violence and promoting peace.
During this time of mourning, we ask that the privacy of Ms. Antoinette and her family be respected. We kindly request that any media inquiries or messages of support be directed to Board of Child Care’s public relations department.
For more information about this tragic event, click here.
A few years ago, I was fortunate enough to go on safari in South Africa. I was in awe of the beauty of the sub-Saharan terrain and the wonders of all the pack animals wandering the plains. I was also able to see most of the big five game animals: lions, hippos, elephants, etc. But what I found the most fascinating was the watering hole. There I was able to see all kinds of animals—both predator and prey—gather to quench their thirst. Zebras, hippos, antelopes, warthog, and other species of animals were gathered to have a drink.
What can we learn from this? We see different species of animals gathered for a drink at the same spot and yet as humans it can be difficult to say “hello” or get to know someone who might not look like us.
In the United States, desegregation was less than a century ago—yet we are the same species!
Since 2004, April has been a month designated to celebrate and honor the diversity in the world around us.
It is a time where we can intentionally appreciate our similarities and differences. It is a time to understand and recognize our differences and honor the essence of humanity. This month we aim to foster a deeper understanding of others, regardless of who they are or how they live. We encourage a deeper understanding of others through conversation and sharing.
Diversity is crucial.
Diversity helps us become better people because it increases our understanding of human nature, and it keeps us open to the fact that the world does not revolve around just one set of beliefs.
At BCC, we embrace diversity, and it is important for us to include different perspectives and ideas when making decisions and during everyday operations. Leadership understands that doing this will not only help us overall but can help nurture employees to develop strong interpersonal skills. Engaging with facets of other cultures, perspectives, and lifestyles can help us understand how the world works.
The Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) committee helps ensure that we look through a diverse lens so that we are able to open up our horizons. The EDI committee intentionally highlights our diverse workforce by helping our campuses celebrate different cultures, and they also bring a new lens when it comes to our policies and procedures to ensure that they encompass the diverse needs of our staff.
Diversity makes us stronger.
It is natural for humans to fear what we don’t know. I believe that if we continue to learn more about each other and appreciate each other, we can solve a lot of problems. Let us continue to celebrate our diversity and strive to build a world that builds longer tables to share a drink, not higher walls to keep the unfamiliar out.
Rev. Amor Del Rosario Director of Spiritual Life, BCC Baltimore
