REACH Workshop: Exploring Equity & Cultural Humility

As human beings, regardless of race, class, gender, or myriad other differences among us, we each need safety, connection, respect, and to be heard. It’s hard to stay open and welcoming of perspectives that differ from our own. Yet, we must. That is why we are offering Exploring Equity & Cultural Humility

The REACH (Respecting Ethnic And Cultural Heritage) Center provides training opportunities to create framing for creating a growing foundation for equity work - both personal and organizational. It utilizes 5 basic principles that connect the head, the heart and the hands for healing and supports participants to move towards action. As human beings, regardless of race, class, gender, or myriad other differences among us, we each need safety, connection, respect, and to be heard. It’s can be hard to stay open and welcoming of perspectives that differ from our own, as we embrace new connections.

This workshop inspires and empowers participants to grow and engage in activities that:

• Honor human diversity
• Engage in cross-cultural learning activities to gain knowledge of others' history and culture
• Promote cultural self-awareness and understanding                                                     
• Increase understanding of the development of identity and bias
• Examine historical and institutional power of the “isms” - racism, sexism, classism, etc.

About the Presenters:

Julie Mauermann has worked in the early childhood education field for over 25 years, implementing programming in public school, community college and public library settings with a focus on equity and increasing inclusion of all young children and their families. She works in Bellingham as a children's library specialist and coordinator of the Whatcom Early Learning Alliance, and is a Kaleidoscope Play & Learn trainer. She is a senior trainer for the REACH Center. She loves learning, reading and playing, particularly with her two grandchildren!

Monica Koller is the Principal Consultant at Children's CommUNITY, an organization that provides equity and inclusivity education for children, families, and youth organizations. A Bay Area CA native, Monica earned her graduate degree in Counseling from SFSU and has enjoyed working in social services for 15+ years. Her passions include actively engaging in lifelong learning, snuggling with her two young children, and upcycling clothing.