Why We Organize For Relationship-Centered, Community Schools
By Asher Ki, CFJ Organizer, Fresno Dear Community, it’s time for something new. A lot of the problems that we’ve been hearing about schools during Covid – learning disparities between Black students and white peers, the need for mental health resources, students feeling unsafe and needing relationships – existed before Covid, this pandemic has just…
Read MoreCalifornia Community Schools Framework
(Above: Art by Brandie Bowen for the California Partnership for the Future of Learning, Reimagine and Rebuild Arts Showcase) Since the fall, we’ve spent a lot of time discussing community schools and how we believe they are the key to transforming our public education system. California has set aside $3 BILLION in funding for community…
Read MorePublic Schools Are the Heart of Our Communities
Above Image: CFJ Youth Leaders hanging out pre-pandemic at Fremont High School in Oakland. Love is in the air, and we’re celebrating by taking a moment to appreciate one of the major relationships in our life – the CA public school system! That’s right, decades into our relationship, CFJ remains enamored with public schools and…
Read MoreTransformational Community Schools Are Critical to Addressing Long-standing Racial Injustice
You’ve probably heard the good news by now, CA has committed $3 BILLION to the creation and support of Community Schools. This is a huge victory made possible by numerous grassroots organizers, youth leaders and adult allies! But now we need to focus on the details of how that funding will be used. Many folks…
Read MoreHow to Celebrate Joyful, Loving and Radical Black Futures in our Schools
Are you ready to discuss bold Black Futures this month, because we are! We’re ready to imagine and build towards a future where Black students, parents and communities are honored for their power, uplifted and centered in the public school system. This February and throughout the year, CFJ is examining what joyful, loving and radical…
Read MoreRemember to Vote By September 14
Hey Friends, It wasn’t that long ago that we were celebrating the major win of seeing historic funding levels pouring into our schools — but already there’s a threat on the horizon. COVID-19 relief funds are one-time funds, meaning our districts are not guaranteed this level of support in the coming years. This makes the…
Read MoreStudent Power Wins Big to Pave Way for Racially Just Schools
We did it – all of our collective hard work paid off! On Friday, Governor Newsom signed the AB 130, a K-12 education trailer bill with HISTORIC investments in education including nearly all of the CFJ student demands from our Relationship-Centered Schools and Reimagine and Rebuild campaigns. This budget shows that we are winning the…
Read MoreCFJ Youth Leaders Secure Major Wins in Long Beach & Fresno Unified
We’re so excited to share even more incredible wins from our youth organizers! Our student leaders won major initiatives and secured millions in funding for new policies in Fresno and Long Beach Unified. Fresno Expanding Ethnic Studies & Paying Students for Expertise and Labor That’s right! This summer and fall, Fresno Unified will expand the…
Read MoreCFJ Youth Leaders Win Restorative Restart & More in Oakland & San Jose!
We’re celebrating some major news! Our youth leaders fought for and won commitments for a restorative restart in Oakland Unified and the East Side Union High School District in San Jose! Oakland Youth Win Mental Health, Relationships Supports & More In Oakland, the district has committed $9 million to a mental health resolution prioritizing supports…
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