Learning and Growing Together
Reflecting on my first six months as the Executive Director of CHOOSE 180 has been deeply heartening.
Getting to know our dedicated staff and understanding their passion for the work has been incredibly inspiring. Their commitment, enthusiasm, and relentless drive to make a difference have strengthened my belief in the transformative power of our mission. Equally important is the immense gratitude I have for the partnerships and community support that has sustained our efforts. Without the collective support and commitment from our community, our mission would not be possible.
Over the last six months, our organization has made impactful strides strengthening our internal infrastructure and gained profound insights from engaging with stakeholders across our community. Together, we’ve refreshed our operational foundation, fostered stronger community partnerships and are honing in on our strategic roadmap to a more just world for our youth. The last six months have been pivotal in laying the groundwork for our mission to empower youth and transform systems that affect their lives. And while we have made impactful strides forward, I must acknowledge the pain our community has navigated during this time.
In these six months, I’ve witnessed our community grapple with profound and challenging issues that have impacted our young people. The increase in reported youth crimes across Washington have been alarming, highlighting the urgent need for restorative support, prevention, and intervention pathways. As I’ve engaged with community members, I’ve heard firsthand the stories of fear and frustration from parents, community, and youth themselves, underscoring the substantial need for change.
Troubling incidents within juvenile facilities such as Green Hill, have highlighted the unjust treatment and systemic deficits that young people endure. These incidents are a stark reminder of the importance of appropriate training for facility administrators and the pressing need to increase the emphasis on mental health and well-being for youth in these facilities. The environment in which our young people are placed must prioritize healing and rehabilitation over punishment and neglect.
The upsurge in crimes within and around schools has been deeply distressing. These incidents are not just statistics; they are heartbreaking realities for many families and communities. The most tragic illustration of this was the recent incident at Garfield High School, where a 17-year-old student lost their life. This devastating event has shaken our community and serves as a sobering reminder of the urgent work we must do, as a collective, to ensure the safety of our students.
These challenges have highlighted the system gaps that demand our unwavering commitment to youth justice. They reinforce our vision and our firm stance that individual, community, and system-level transformation is needed to break both the cycle of youth criminalization and the reliance on systems to mitigate harm and build community safety.
Looking Ahead
While these six months have been both sobering and transformational, they have deepened my understanding of the obstacles we face and have reinforced my determination to achieve our vision of a more just future for our youth.
As I look ahead to the next six months, my focus will be on clearly defining and mapping out our pathway forward. This will involve:
Fostering partnerships that amplify our collective impact
Evaluating our programs to meet the evolving needs of young people
Exploring ways to expand our service reach
Setting a robust advocacy agenda for essential policy changes to address systemic issues like gun violence and conditions in juvenile facilities
Strengthening our internal infrastructure
As I envision the future, I am filled with both gratitude and determination. As we step into the next chapter, let us remain united in our vision and unwavering in our actions and let us continue to work hand in hand, transforming problems into possibilities.
Here’s to a future where every young person has a chance to thrive.
In Partnership,
Nneka Payne
Executive Director