On behalf of the APOST team, our hearts go out to our neighbors that were impacted by the horrific act of hate and violence that occurred at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Squirrel Hill this weekend. As a community of youth providers, we again are rattled by an act of intolerance that hits too close to home and are grappling with the ways to confront racism and injustice with the youth that we serve. As youth development practitioners, we are charged with developing the leaders of our future world. It is critical that we continue to focus on the social and emotional needs of our youth community and the position ourselves as allies to youth by dedicating our work creating safe spaces, supportive relationships, and opportunities for young people to be leaders in efforts to dismantle injustice.
As a small step, any organization in the region that would like to host
APOST's Youth Voice Training for your staff at no cost. We ask that requests be for groups of 8 or more people. Email Jaron Paul at
apost@unitedwayswpa.org t
o coordinate scheduling for your organization. This work is not easy, and as a community of helpers we also need to take care of ourselves and each other. We have a workshop focused on self care for youth work professionals coming up on
November 16th. This workshop is being lead by Sharise Nance of
HandinHand Counseling Services.
We also want to re-share
this list of resources that are focused on how to best confront racism and hate with youth and address the community trauma associated with acts of violence. Additionally,
Kidsburgh has authored a wonderful article on age appropriate ways to address this issue with families.
Lastly, if you are looking for a way to help the families impacted and the Jewish community in Pittsburgh please consider donating to the
Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh's Our Victims of Terror Fund.
The United Way of Southwestern PA will be able to match up to $100,000.00 in donated support for this fund.
