A Statement from VOCEL

In Light of Recent Unrest, VOCEL is Committed to Building a Better Tomorrow.

To Our VOCEL Community,

Today I am left with a heavy heart and a desire to share VOCEL’s commitment to equity, justice and democracy. 2020 was a year when we called on our core values more than ever as we faced unbelievable challenges, from the pandemic to the lingering impacts of systemic and structural racism. Initially, this meant Putting People First when the pandemic struck, and then in late May after George Floyd’s murder, we focused on our value to Promote Equity and took steps to become more actively anti-racist as an organization.

As an organization committed to our youngest learners, we were disheartened by what children across our country witnessed yesterday at the Capitol. We are struck by the deep injustice of Black adults and children watching white rioters desecrate a Federal building and disrupt our democratic process while knowing that people who look like them are arrested and killed for far less. Yesterday’s events provide yet another example of the systemic racism and white privilege prevalent in our nation.

Today, as we reflect on yesterday’s events and the forthcoming transfer of power, I am refocusing on another VOCEL core value: Build a Better Tomorrow. Our children need us. They need us to do better for them, for their futures, for the health and democracy of our nation. At VOCEL, we focus much of our work on building empathetic young leaders. We celebrate the power of compassion in children and adults. As we move forward, we will continue to promote these values. Our families, communities and nation will be stronger when we embrace and respect one another. Let’s do better so our children can have a bright future.

Sending peace, strength and love.
Kelly Powers, Executive Director