ACA National Webinar - Creating Inclusive Camp: Unpacking the tools and strategies for summer
Virtual - Zoom
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
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Eastern Standard Time
Description
The Inclusive Camps Tool is designed to help you and your camp identify the work you already do to make your camp an inclusive space. It does this by supporting you in identifying where you are on a five-stage scale of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) advancement from “Not yet started” to “Launched” to “Leading.” From this scale, camps will have a good idea of what they can do to advance their DEI work. You will have the opportunity to examine how the stages of advancement look in what we have designated as four areas of influence. By the end, we hope that camps can identify potential for implementing DEI work at any level.
By utilizing the ACA’s “Creating Inclusive Camps” tool, individuals who participate in this webinar will be able to discuss building relationships with individuals and communities as a collective. By focusing on history, policy & practices, and systems thinking, the group will be able to discuss how our day-to-day actions create impact and the value of creating gradual change that will improve outcomes and develop strong relationships.
Presenters: Jessie Dickerson and Victor Rivera
Jessie Dickerson
In her role as ACA’s Manager of Program Quality Systems, Jessie supports camps and other youth serving organizations in continuous improvement by creating space for connection, discovery, and growth—particularly through the continuous improvement of program quality. As a member of ACA’s Research & Education Team, she supports research and grant projects with the goal of assessment, making meaning, and improvement. Ensuring that camp is truly for all kids is what fuels Jessie’s work. She’s dedicated to supporting camps in striving for equity, for them to be a safe and supportive space for all youth, which is the foundation of a quality camp experience. When she isn’t working from home with her cat, Stuart, Jessie spends her time exploring the Utah desert, packrafting western whitewater, and skiing in the Wasatch Range.
Victor Rivera
Victor Rivera is the Manager of Strategic Priorities with the YMCA of the USA. As a member of the Diversity & Inclusion and International Teams, Victor focuses on creating strategies and opportunities for local Ys to improve their efforts and connection to communities with an aim of equity; anticipating all work is done to include those who are most marginalized. This work was instrumental during Victor’s tenure as the Director of Resident Opportunity for Self Sufficiency at the Worcester Housing Authority. In addition to his work at YUSA, Victor has led teams that support the community in Youth Development, Information Technology and Membership & Wellness over the last 13 years.
Victor’s role as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Consultant with ACA’s Research Team supports and elevates DEI in ACA research and grant projects, namely Camp Program Quality, working closely with Research Team members and grant participants.
Victor is energized by problems where others may be in dismay. The challenge of analyzing symptoms and identifying issues gives him the greatest push when working with individuals or organizations. Whether the situation is complicated or unexpected, Victor embraces the confusion and develops new solutions.
Aside from what he does for the Y, Victor is a fan of reading, travel and spending time with his wife and son. A native to the city of Worcester, Massachusetts and son of parents from the Bronx, Victor has a deep appreciation for his Nuyorican roots.