Home of Cesar Chavez Elementary School and The Hispanic Center of Western Michigan
I Believe I Become community meetings in the B2B central zone kicked off July 14, 2011.
LINC Community Revitalization Inc. leads the I Believe I Become community engagement efforts. LINC believes it is important to raise up the community’s voice and follow the community’s lead in creating change. The engagement strategy combines relationship building, leadership development, listening and learning through a community planning process unique to each B2B zone.
I Believe I Become west zone neighborhood team:
Staci Nichols, B2B Community Liaison from LINC
616.819.0308 or staci@lincrev.org
San Juna Guillermo, B2B Natural Helper from LINC
Hugo Claudin, B2B Natural Helper from LINC
Omar Gonzalez, B2B Natural Helper from LINC
West Zone Update
What we’re working toward: That children are well-rounded, healthy, and prepared to be successful in life by what they learn at home, and in the community.
What we’ve done:
- At home: To be active in our children’s lives by teaching discipline and family values at home.
- Violence prevention: To promote positive communication that values children’s opinions, is attentive to their needs, and provides them with trust, respect, and love.
- Parent advocacy: To be involved as volunteers at the school and dedicate more time with children at home.
- Culture of affirmation: To consistently provide all of our children with loving, positive messages that encourage them to dream big, graduate from high school and go to college.
West Zone Community Raises Their Voices
Members of the West Zone community are speaking out, and we are listening. We look forward to sharing more stories of a community that is being transformed by the power of coming together around one goal: the success of every child in school, work, and life.
“I want to get more involved in my daughter’s education, and help her do well in school. My mother wants to learn about how she can improve her English.”
~Adrianna
“I came for information about how I can help my five kids, ages 16, 14, 8, 5, and 3, graduate. I want them to live happily and know how to live successfully with a career”
~Elizabeth
“It takes more than just one person to raise a child – it takes a whole community.”
~Shanice
“I Believe I Become is a good influence in the community!”
~Lauren
“I come to the meetings for the school and the kids. I want to see all the kids graduating and getting an education.”
~Mable
“The Meetings are great. They are helping parents connect with kids… and teaching parents to help kids stay on the right path to graduate.”
~Elizabeth
“Lower expectations are damaging. My brother was told he’d be nothing more than a gang member. Too many negative stereotypes are affecting education and not enough focus is on what the system could do to equalize opportunities.”
~Jessica Cruz*, Believe 2 Become volunteer
*Note: Jessica went to Cesar Chavez when it was Hall, then Central, City, East Kentwood, GVSU, and now has a doctorate in education from Columbia University.
“I want all my kids to graduate. I want them to go above and beyond. I always tell my kids the sky is the limit, and you are the stars in my eyes…We have to help our kids achieve a better way of life.”
~Angel and Yiovanny
“I think I Believe I Become has helped the community come together. I see more people out with their children. I have learned a lot from the meetings.”
~Esther
