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.

First Day of School Jitters Like Never Before

One thing all the featured Burness parents mention is they cannot wait for the day when all kids are eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines. Until then, they are calling on their community members in and out of school to get vaccinated if they’re eligible. “At the end of the day, what's really needed is a community effort to protect children and those who are immunocompromised,” says Burness parent Katy Lenard.

Gendered Universes are Harming Young People Around the World — We Must Intervene Before It’s Too Late

The researchers say that adolescence should be seen as a window of opportunity--a time when young people are reevaluating their identities and behaviors. They can encounter certain gender stereotypes that can cause permanent physical, emotional and mental harm. But, if they are able to push back against these gender stereotypes, to break out of their gender-specific universes, they can emerge healthy, strong and self-confident.