Daring Adventures

“When Evan told me he was transgender, I felt scared and alone. I still feel scared, but I don't feel alone anymore.” This is what my dear friend Rachel told me casually on a walk recently as I asked how she opens up the discussion about her newly released book, Daring Adventures, Helping Gender-Diverse Kids and Their Families Thrive.

Companies Spend Billions to Market Food & Beverages Harmful to Our Health — And They Are Succeeding

The unhealthy products that food and beverage companies encourage consumers to purchase are directly linked to diet-related diseases like heart disease, obesity and diabetes — which disproportionately impact communities of color.

Young People Are Facing a Mental Health Crisis. Afterschool Programs Can Help.

Decades of research show that kids who participate in afterschool programs gain significant, lasting benefits like building social skills, forming healthy relationships, making smart decisions, avoiding risky behaviors, doing better in school and graduating on time. Afterschool programs also connect young people to resources like social services and counselors who are trained in helping people heal from trauma.

It Takes a Village: Motherhood During Unprecedented Times

Becoming a mom is a transformative experience (in both good and challenging ways), and all of it is trial by fire. The saving grace of it all, though, has been that we’re not alone. We have our “village” to lean on: our fellow Burness parents, our local moms' groups, our friends who’ve already had kids and our own parents. And that village is an extra comfort right now as we navigate trying to raise our babies during a pandemic (with vaccines for our babies only recently approved), historic inflation, a climate crisis, a national formula shortage, attacks on reproductive rights and more.

The Power of Play

While donating to causes is one way to engage and support missions like these, it’s not the only answer. We need dedicated volunteers and mentors who can devote their time and act as positive role models and help bridge communities.

We Were Lucky Enough to Have Prenatal Care that Saved Our Lives. It Shouldn’t Be About Luck.

The problem is that maternal health care is inequitable. For most, whether you and your child live or die during the birthing process is not about need, or about your right to good health, but about who you are, where you come from and how much money you make.