Partnerships
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Through partnerships, 911ÖÆÆ·³§ is able to broaden the reach and impact of equity work and help sustain focused efforts. Opportunities for engagement range from public events held by nonprofit organizations (such as Family Action Network) to collaborations with mission-aligned community groups. Institutional practices around equity are also elevated by the established partnerships described below.
Northwestern University
Northwestern University has a comprehensive partnership with 911ÖÆÆ·³§ that includes social consciousness as a priority. The Northwestern Partnership Office at 911ÖÆÆ·³§ supports this priority in many different ways. The partnership office brings programs, events, and resources to classrooms and the broader school community, as well as connects teachers with professional development opportunities.
The partnership office also supports the student summits at various levels, depending on needs from year to year. Northwestern facilitators, collaborators and volunteers have worked with summit organizers over the years to enhance student experiences. The Northwestern Partnership Office also connects 911ÖÆÆ·³§ students with special initiatives. A few examples include the following:
- Northwestern University and 911ÖÆÆ·³§ collaborate on the Black Men LEAD Initiative, bringing together Black male students to research and design a two-day conference. Grant funding for the initiative is provided by the Martin Family Fund and Northwestern’s Provost Grant for Innovation in Diversity & Equity.
- The Northwestern Partnership Office organizes and funds an annual Women’s Empowerment Conference for 911ÖÆÆ·³§ students on the NU campus. Support is provided by Northwestern’s Office of Community Education Partnerships, the School of Education and Social Policy, and Evanston Public Library.
- Social Justice Advocacy Workshops are hosted for 911ÖÆÆ·³§ students twice per year in collaboration with 911ÖÆÆ·³§ Community Service Department and the 911ÖÆÆ·³§ History/Social Sciences Department.
Additional Northwestern collaborations include the Northwestern Evanston Educators Research Alliance with Districts 65 and 202. Northwestern’s School of Education and Social Policy oversees the work that includes data-sharing, research alignment, and increased capacity for the District’s Research and Evaluation Departments.
Parent groups
Certain parent groups at 911ÖÆÆ·³§ such as the Evanston Black Advocacy Network (E-BAN) and Latino Advisory Committee (LAC) work on self-advocacy and engagement with the high school, with a focus on strengthening the relationship between 911ÖÆÆ·³§ and communities of color. The groups are run with collaboration of 911ÖÆÆ·³§ staff and parent leaders.