February GO session explores justice

GO combines philanthropy education with charitable giving. To learn more, click here.

In February, GO participants met in person – in groups and talked about kindness, justice and the popular movie, Just Mercy. The movie is based on the true story of a man who spent several years in jail after being wrongly accused of a murder he didn’t commit.

BLOCKBUSTER MOVIE & JUSTICE REFORM
GO high schoolers share their reactions after watching JUST MERCY, a film about Bryan Stephenson and the Equal Justice Initiative.

SMALL ACTS CAN CREATE BIG RIPPLES
GO participants in grades 1-4 discuss how kind acts ripple, like small waves of water. They made journals to help them reflect on their own kindness and the ripple effect it can have on family and friends.

BIG SMILES & TOUGH TOPICS
Kareema Boykin and Katasha Butler, GO Facilitators, reflect with GO middle school girls after learning about Kristine Bunch, a woman wrongly convicted and imprisoned for nearly 17 years.

BIG ROCKS & IMPORTANT THINGS
Sam Boncosky, one of our middle school participants, talks about “big rocks” – an analogy for the most important things in his life – and explains how his interest in young people and sports may shape his priorities and how he hopes to make the world better for all.

JUST A MONTH LATER
By March, we were tuning into news of a virus, COVID-19 and learning what defines a pandemic and our schools closed. Students – college to kindergartners – moved to virtual school at home. Our stores shuttered, our sports stopped and our restaurants offered “carry out only.” We all had to find new ways to keep in touch with friends and family through Zoom, phone calls and even letters in the US Mail.

MAKING THE MOST OF LIFE IN QUARANTINE
Staying busy while stuck at home requires some creative thinking. You may have learned a new skill, returned to an old hobby or finally tackled a lingering project. We want to hear about it! Please share a fun activity, a project or special skill you’ve been perfecting.

These GO participants are getting us started

Phoebe Steinberg, one of several GO participants in her family, has used her extra time at home to pursue her interest in Koala bears. We noticed the picture she drew. What an artist!

GO facilitator, Ben Snyder, escapes into nature to recharge as often as he can. He loves to hike with his family at Eagle Creek Park. Great Team!

GO participant, Adeline Schlegel, turned a coat closet into a recording studio. She is creating a podcast, which she plans to call, How to be a Young Activist. Stay tuned.

Blessed with some extra time (and a sunny day), Kareema Boykin, GO Facilitator and Options Graduate, explore Indy’s canal, downtown with her sons, Mark and Marcel.

WHAT’S NEW FOR YOU?
We would love to hear from each of our GO Families. Please send a picture and short description of how your family is making the most of the time at home to Christy Becker: christyb@cicf.org. We’ll share your update in our next blog.

HOW IS WOMEN’S FUND SUPPORTING WOMEN AND GIRLS DURING COVID 19?
We invite you and your family to learn how Women’s Fund is committed to assisting the most vulnerable women and girls in our community on our COVID-19 Response webpage and through our weekly blogs.

THANK YOU & WELCOME BACK!
Women’s Fund wants to offer a hearty thank you to Charlie Schlegel who has served as GO Education Consultant for the last several months. Charlie and his family will be moving to Ecuador as he begins serving as the Elementary Principal of Academia Cotopaxi, the American International School located in Quito. We are appreciative of the great work Charlie did in a short period of time.

Women’s Fund is excited to welcome back Elana Thompson who has served as GO Education Consultant previously. We were thrilled that her availability lined up with our timing! You can expect Elana will bring back her wonderful enthusiasm and creative approach to GO. She is also eager to build on the outstanding work Charlie started with racial equity and justice.