Last week, we published our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, in which we delineate our commitment to build, refine, and rigorously assess a series of internal and external organizational DEI practices that are central to who we are. As one of our core DEI practices in thought leadership, we will seek to inspire new, and inform current conversations about the role of DEI in the development and evaluation of philanthropic investments. One manifestation of this practice is our Advancing Equity Communications exploration, which launched with two publications. As part of this exploration, Altinay Cortes, a Consultant at Equal Measure, discusses the life-altering value of equity programs in education.
My childhood in Millville, NJ, was filled with meetings. I can recall the joy I felt each time I went over my weekly calendar with my mother. I was the kid who signed up for everything. I joined so many clubs that I rarely went straight home after school. Early on, I intuitively knew that participating in so many programs could benefit my life. I was told that being well rounded was the only way to become successful, so I juggled sports, art, civics, and academic enrichment programs. I often felt like a waitress delicately carrying a tray full of drinks filled to the brim.
In high school, I began to understand how certain programs could benefit me more than I had ever imagined. Equity programs became my focus. Equity programs vary in scope, but are designed to provide support to people in areas such as education, housing, food, etc. I joined a Gear Up program housed at Rowan University and a summer college readiness program at my local community college called Talent Search, which offered SAT/ACT preparation, tutoring, life skills workshops, and college courses. I learned so much that I finally realized that college was more than a dream; it was a true possibility! Through these programs, I visited many colleges and spoke with admissions counselors and students. I also received ample help on college and scholarship essays. My college applications reflected all the skills I learned from participating in equity programs. I was accepted by every college I applied to, and attended Howard University with a hefty scholarship in hand. I owe this accomplishment to equity based programming.
I am the first person in my family, on both sides, to graduate with a college degree. I am the proud daughter of an immigrant who never finished grade school. My parents wanted the best for me, but lacked the knowledge or access to guide me through the college application process. They knew nothing about FAFSA or extra-curricular activities. They just knew they wanted me to be happy and successful. Many parents struggle with providing the essentials, which is why equity programs in education like Gear Up, Talent Search, and Rutgers Future Scholars are so critical.
Like my own journey, I think Monica’s education experience is a compelling testament to the value of these initiatives. I met Monica while working for an equity program at the University of Pennsylvania called the Summer Mentorship Program. Monica is the daughter of Cambodian refugees. Her parents escaped the war and resettled in South Philadelphia, where she was raised in a dangerous and poverty stricken neighborhood. Monica had a rough start to grade school, because she did not begin speaking English until second grade. Throughout her grade school years, many programs and one-on-one interventions helped Monica gain the skills needed to achieve academic excellence. School officials advocated for Monica when her parents could not. And equity programming filled in many of the opportunity gaps that she faced.
Now, Monica is a junior in the School of Nursing at the University of Pennsylvania. She teaches health related programming to elementary students in poverty stricken schools – offering compassion and empathy to students who need it most. When students look at Monica, they see that they have the potential to go beyond the circumstances into which they were born.
Monica’s path is not unique. Time and time again, equity programs change students’ lives for the better. There are countless stories of students who were given an extra boost of resources to help them succeed. For much of my career, I worked with at-risk youth in inner cities and rural towns. I was often faced with very needy youth, and it was hard to know which problem to address first. However, sometimes a kid just needs a math tutor or a bus token to get to an internship. These things may seem small, but they can make the difference between success and failure. And that is why equity programs play such a crucial role in helping youth realize the possibility of success and achievement in their lives.
“Fairness and equity are not just things that are nice to have if we can afford them. They are the foundation of prosperity in a society, the elements that help a society learn and keep a society healthy.” – Stephen Downes in The Huffington Post
Altinay Cortes is a Consultant at Equal Measure, and serves as Program Associate for New Connections.
Follow efforts by national philanthropies and nonprofits to build equitable systems in American communities. Our magazine includes content created by Equal Measure, our clients and partners, as well as relevant articles from the field.