CFCC Celebrates Community Changemakers

CFCC has found many community partners as we have expanded our mission to include the prevention of unnecessary court system involvement. During this panel, some of our most impactful and innovative partners offered inspiration to the audience by sharing their work to support students, increase family engagement in schools, defend family integrity, support families’ financial well-being, and advocate for positive changes in laws that impact families. CFCC’s very own Rohina Zavala shared about the Tackling Chronic Absenteeism Project’s 20th anniversary and our new middle school model and community referral model. She was among the following individuals who gave five-minute Ted-Talk style talks, coined “Change Chats,” and received a Community Changemakers award on behalf of their organization:

1. Rohina Zavala, TCAP Project Manager, CFCC

Zavala explained the philosophy, activities, and goals of CFCC’s Tackling Chronic Absenteeism Project (TCAP). TCAP is celebrating 20 years of successfully applying a restorative and therapeutic approach with students and families who struggle with truancy and chronic absenteeism. TCAP is deepening its focus on supporting middle school students while expanding it model to help students referred from government agencies as well. 

2. Markus Trent, Founder and Executive Director, Fathers Fighting 4 Fathers
Community Mentorship Inc.

Trent shared how Fathers Fighting 4 Fathers Community Mentorship, Inc. (FF4F) is bolstering father engagement in Baltimore area schools. FF4F mentors parents on how to engage with their school’s Parent Teach Organizations (PTO) and hosts events to grow parents’ knowledge and advocacy skills. 

3. Amber Dortch, Social Worker, Better Together – Maryland Office of the Public Defender

Dortch presented the preventative power of the Better Together’s pre-petition support for parents. When a family is at risk for child abuse or neglect investigation, Better Together steps in to ensure that parents and caregivers know their rights and have a safe place to ask questions and get the support they need to keep their children’s  safe and together. 

4. Kelsey Williams, Maryland Children’s Alliance, Baltimore Baby Bonus Campaign

Williams used data to make a convincing argument for the need for financial investments into families following the birth of a child. Maryland Children’s Alliance is campaigning for such an investment, known as the Baltimore Baby Bonus,  for all of Baltimore’s families which is projected to dramatically lower the child poverty rate in the city.  

5. Joseph Jones, Founder, President, & CEO, Center for Urban Families

Jones told the story of one father who, with the support of the Center for Urban Families (CFUF), turned his life around after being incarcerated. CFUF helped this father and many after him develop the entrepreneurial skills and the end of life arrangements to establish economic stability for their families.

 

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