Subject: New from the Biden Foundation
From: "Biden Foundation" <[email-masked]>
To: "Hunter Biden" <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 28 Feb 2019 20:23:38 +0000

February updates

“Education ignites our potential — gives us the confidence we need to believe in ourselves.”

—Dr. Jill Biden at Achieving the Dream's annual DREAM Conference

February Updates

More than a trend! #CCWomenSucceed. Last Wednesday, February 20, Dr. Biden and the Biden Foundation attended Achieving the Dream’s (ATD) annual DREAM Conference in Long Beach, California. During the main plenary session, Dr. Biden announced Community College Women Succeed, an initiative supported by ATD and the Biden Foundation that aims to help adult women students — including single parents — succeed in community college. Following the announcement, the foundation and ATD co-hosted two listening sessions to hear directly from students and faculty, staff, and administrators. As Dr. Biden said, “This isn’t a top-down initiative,” so the foundation and ATD will continue to host regional sessions across the country to learn from these real-life experiences.

Creating a national response to domestic violence homicide. On February 27, the Biden Foundation convened experts to discuss strategies for addressing domestic violence. Organized by the foundation’s director for violence against women initiatives Lynn Rosenthal, the convening brought together 23 world-class leaders from across the country, including Bea Hanson (former Principal Deputy Director, U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women), Karma Cottman (Executive Director, D.C. Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Ujima), and more. Participants discussed the most pressing questions in the field: How do we help abused individuals recognize their risk of harm, how can we create a better response for those at high risk, and how can we engage communities at every level? Catch up on some key moments from the discussion.

Advancing acceptance. On Tuesday, February 5, in partnership with the Movement Advancement Project and Gender Spectrum, the foundation launched a new project called “Advancing Acceptance” to highlight the importance of family and community acceptance for transgender and gender-diverse youth. The campaign includes the debut of a new video that showcases two families discussing how they have supported a transgender boy through his transition. Included along with the video is a collection of crucial resources for friends and family who may have questions, be struggling with acceptance, or who are looking for ways to support transgender or gender-diverse youth. Learn more at AdvancingAcceptance.org.

Friday night lanes. Since christening the USS DELAWARE submarine in October 2018, Dr. Biden has stayed in touch with the crew of the ship as they prepare the DELAWARE to officially enter into our Navy’s fleet. But on Friday, February 22, she was able to meet and spend time with not just the crew but their families as well. Dr. Biden joined a family bowling night in Norfolk, VA with over 200 crew and family members. She caught up with the crew to hear how their work on the DELAWARE is progressing and talked with the family members about their lives in Norfolk. The visit underscores Dr. Biden’s and the foundation’s commitment to military families and ensuring that their service is not forgotten.

Are you caught up on the Biden Forum? For the past year, the Biden Forum has delivered thought-provoking articles about the future of the middle class every single week. This month, Darrick Hamilton wrote about the connections between racial equality and economic equality, Congresswoman Haley Stevens proposed that the United States invest more in remanufacturing, and Girls Who Code founder Reshma Saujani called on Congress to close the gender gap in technology. We also released Biden Forum Highlights on the decline in U.S. life expectancy and the persistent wage gap for black women.

Work worth doing. On Saturday, February 23, Dr. Biden delivered the commencement address to the Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) Apprentice School’s class of 2018. The Apprentice School offers NNS employees an opportunity to earn a degree in their vocation, debt-free, and advance their careers. Dr. Biden spoke to the graduates as an educator, celebrating their hard work and determination to advance their careers and lives. “No matter where life takes you from here, know this: As of today, you are a master of your craft, a shipbuilder, and a leader… It is work to be proud of. It is work worth doing — the best prize life has to offer.” Read more about the commencement.

Inside the Foundation

Five questions for
Biden Fellow Lauren Ford

Q: Why did you first want to work at the Biden Foundation as a policy fellow?

A: I currently work at a community college in California, which has allowed me to see, firsthand, the impact that community colleges have on students, their families, and their communities. Knowing that Dr. Biden is a strong advocate for community colleges, I was eager to join the foundation to help lift up community colleges nationwide.

Q: Why is this work important to you?

A: When I got my acceptance letter from Xavier University (OH), I remember how the pride on my mother’s face turned to worry when she said, “I don’t know how we’re going to pay for this.” I was fortunate enough to receive scholarships, but I know that higher education costs are a concern for many families. Community colleges offer affordable, high-quality education, skills training for students (of all ages!) and access to community resources like food pantries, tax assistance, and some even provide health care services! Who wouldn’t want to do this type of work?!

Q: Last year, the community college where you work launched a Promise Scholars program. Tell us a bit about that program and how it aims to help students.

A: The Promise Scholars Program at Skyline College is a replication of the CUNY ASAP model, an intensive support program to help students earn their degree and/or transfer within three years. Skyline’s Promise Scholars Program includes dedicated counseling and financial support, and after several pilot phases beginning in 2016, we saw a 20 percent higher retention rate for students in the program. In fall 2018 we welcomed 509 students into the program — our largest incoming cohort! I will soon be transitioning into a leadership role within our Promise Scholars Program as a project director, taking the lead on our program expansion throughout the state!

Q: What is something you've learned while working with community college students?

A: One thing that I learned was that community college students are just like four-year college students. They’re motivated and nervous, they suffer from imposter syndrome, and they persist despite the odds. They are also caregivers, veterans, foster youth, mothers, justice impacted, differently abled, international students, artists, advocates, and so much more. When I entered higher education, I thought that I would work at a small private university supporting equity programs, but now that I’m at the community college, where equity is at the center of all we do, I can’t see myself working anywhere else.

Q: Where do you see yourself, and your work for higher-education equity, in five years?

A: I see myself working in the community college system still focused on enhancing the student use what we know about equity, policies, and systems to create real opportunities for transformation within our colleges. In 10 years though... Dr. Lauren Ford, College President, doesn’t sound too shabby. :)

Coming Up

Next month we will publish key findings and recommendations from our Youth LEADS project—stay tuned!

There’s one day left to nominate an active bystander for the 2019 Biden Courage Awards.

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