Fieldstone Hosts TrueChild Executive

Decades of research has found that when youth of color internalize rigid ideals of femininity and masculinity, they have markedly lower life out­comes in a cluster of related areas that include health, education, reproductive health, and economic security. Yet few nonprofit organizations or their funding partners are encouraged to do innovative work around gender like they are with race and class.

Yesterday, as part of our Crossroads and Turning Points program, the Fieldstone Leadership Network hosted Riki Wilchins, Executive Director of TrueChild. Riki discussed the need for nonprofits to consider gender and gender norms as essential lens for their program strategy. The discussion called for us to reconnect race, class, and gender in an “intersectional” approach that would dramatically improve the socioeconomic outcomes for youth of color.

This program was made possible through a strategic partnership with San Diego Grantmakers and offered as part of its Summit on Advancing Gender Equality.  This partnership makes available the opportunity for leaders of nonprofit organizations to be exposed to the same speaker and knowledge from which their funding partners are learning.  Our hope is that a mutual understanding of issues and best practices will lead to a shared understanding of program design and strengthen the effectiveness of the funding process.

Our thanks to FLN member, Mama’s Kitchen, for hosting this training session.