Latest news with #YouBelong
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Excellent Educators: Ms. Iwalani Wilson
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — At Great Neck Middle School in Virginia Beach, Ms. Iwalani Wilson is celebrating 20 years as a teacher. She's teaching 6th grade social studies. 10 On Your Side visited her energetic classroom recently. Wilson makes sure every student is cared for and understands class material. Just recently, she was awarded the STEAM grant to bring science, technology, engineering and math experiences to every kid in the 6th grade. 'So we wrote a grant, and we got $5,000 to integrate STEAM into social studies. So, like, for instance, today we're doing an Ozobot lesson. So they're little — these cute little coding robots. And, we've been studying abolitionism. And so in order to check what students have learned, they're going to have to answer questions and code their robot and they'll know if they got the questions correct,' said Ms. Wilson. In Ms. Wilson's classroom, students are challenged to step outside their comfort zone in order to grow and develop. She creates an inclusive and engaging environment for students to learn new skills. Ms. Wilson believes in making learning fun — where kids can actually apply what they've learned. 'That's my goal, in teaching is to create global citizens that can go into the world, and interact. I love what I do because I love my kiddos. and I want them, like I said, to go out into the world like I teach history, but I'm also teaching the future mechanics, the future doctors, the future teachers and lawyers and nurses and plumbers,' said Ms. Wilson. The school says that Ms. Wilson has developed, 'high quality professional learning designed to break down stereotypes and create a more inclusive environment.' Outside of the classroom, Ms. Wilson runs the 'You Belong' club, helping minority students feel seen and heard. Ms. Wilson encourages and parents and students to continue to support teachers and value education. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to
CBS News
16-04-2025
- General
- CBS News
LA County YMCAs offering free memberships to foster youth
Kids and young adults in foster care can now join one of more than two dozen YMCAs in Los Angeles County for free. The Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services partnered with the worldwide youth community organization after the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles invested $1 million into the "You Belong" initiative. "This partnership has renewed my hope that, in the future, former foster youth will have stronger connections with good, kind, conscientious people in their communities and a smoother transition to becoming adults," DCFS Director Brandon Nichols said. The program will allow foster youth between the ages of 12 and 26 to connect with licensed clinical social workers and mentors at one of 27 locations. Foster youth will also have access to other resources, including fitness, nutrition, mental health and substance use prevention information. The initiative also provides other programs such as paid job training, leadership development courses, conflict resolution workshops and financial literacy classes. "Through the 'You Belong' initiative, we're not just offering free access to our centers – we're promising youth in foster care that they will never have to navigate adulthood alone," said Victor Dominguez, president and CEO of YMCA in LA. "Every Y center will be a sanctuary where they truly belong, today, tomorrow and for years to come." Two locations, Weingart in South LA and the Antelope Valley YMCA, will also extend free memberships to caregivers and foster parents. "Our message is clear: You will always have a home at the Y," Dominguez said. "No matter where life takes you in Los Angeles, the Y is a community that cares and is waiting with open arms." To sign up, foster youth should contact their DCFS social worker, who will refer them to a YMCA in their community. The facilities will also provide a space for parents working toward reunification to interact with children during supervised visits.
