The Clackamas County Equity Coalition held a workshop on January 28, 2025 focusing on the recently release social justice report: Cultivating Belonging in Clackamas County. The report, published by the Coalition of Communities of Color, examines the needs, truths, and desires of communities of color in Clackamas county and issues calls to action to promote equity for all those who choose to live and work in our county.
Video coverage of the meeting is available at: CCEC quarterly training January 2025.mp4
A summary of Goals and Wants from the workshop discussion groups are listed below:
- GOAL – Educating communities so they are aware of their rights. Make alert media – awareness + illegal actions visible – mobilize + do what’s within our influence to keep immigrant communities safe WANT – We want – all communities to be safe + not get taken away – families to stay together – kids to feel safe going to school
- GOAL – Make our elected offices to be able to be protective by affecting the people in those positions, WANT – We Want – connect youth groups to government leadership to help communities understand how local/county government works
- GOAL – Alignment between SRO, school staff, policy (sanctuary), catalog mental health resources in school, bring students to the table in work group. WANT – have the difficult conversations between an administration and community (school) teaching attendance and behavioral struggles
- GOAL – Create opportunities for real conversations w/ low enforcement about experiences of both them and marginalized groups, create relationships w/ craig roberts to support mental health work with law enforcement and community members. WANT – (blank)
- GOAL – -safe space for schools, retention of BIPOC staff. WANT – DEI needs to be bottom-up (student based) not top-down (admin focused)
- WANT – Authentic cultural events to create a multicultural atmosphere.
- GOAL – Trainings for Administrators and Staff on Racism and Equity, Funds to access and visibilize culturally specific spaces,gatherings, and resources, Funds for culturally responsive mental health resources for students and staff, Recruitment and Retention of BIPOC Teachers. WANT – Scheduled mandatory annual trainings, Dedicated space, Comprehensive database, Financial support for BIPOC individuals going into education
A full set of notes can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1l_C8PiHgLF_z_NUAWLhOdzmLB5BGHtsOB_MZY5i55I8/edit?usp=sharing.