our ¡dale! history

¡DALE! was launched in 2021 to create conditions of empowerment for high school students who seek to address educational justice in their school. The program seeks to strengthen student skills, bring together leaders and community organizers who are committed to educational justice in our high schools, and co-create a pipeline of youth organizers and leaders in Sonoma County. 

OUR MISSION

WE SUPPORT STUDENTS WHO SEEK TO ADDRESS EDUCATIONAL JUSTICE IN THEIR HIGH SCHOOL & COMMUNITY.

OUR Vision

  • Our short term vision is to strengthen the development, advocacy, leadership, and engagement of high school students in Sonoma County.

  • Our middle of the road vision is to bring together leaders and community organizers who are committed to educational justice in Sonoma County’s high schools.

  • Our long term vision is to co-create a pipeline of youth organizers and leaders in Sonoma County.

OUR NAME

DEVELOPMENT

Focuses on opportunities to access age appropriate support, care, nurture, and preparation from local leaders and elders.

aDVOCACY

Focuses on opportunities to prepare students to be community oriented decision-makers, negotiators, and problem solvers.

lEADERSHIP

Focuses on leveraging collective power, alliances, coalitions, and organizing public campaigns.

eNGAGEMENT

Focuses on opportunities for students to participate in civic affairs, democratic processes, and the political environment around them.

Theory of change

IF

groups of Sonoma County high school students who are interested in pursuing educational justice projects in their schools are intentionally matched with advisors and community leaders;

AND

provided ongoing support and interactive training while co-creating structures of trust, compassion, and care as they define and execute their educational justice projects;

then

students will deepen their knowledge, confidence, and skills in advocacy, leadership, and community engagement and continue to use and apply their skills to pursue liberation for the benefit of all people.

COMPONENTS

  • The training component involves 2 hour interactive meetings held twice per month on development, advocacy, leadership, civic engagement, organizing, equity-related topics, and self and community care. The meeting offers an opportunity for joint strategizing, peer support, and for youth to provide updates on their project development and implementation.

  • The practice component includes the implementation of “educational justice” projects. Projects are selected and carried out by 10 teams across Sonoma County with 4 to 8 participants in each team. Each team has their own educational justice project that centers around building healthier and more equitable schools and or Sonoma County communities. The project takes any form but should, in some way, address a challenge or need shared by other youth in the County. Projects may include direct action campaigns that demand changes in educational policies or practices. Each team is offered $1000 to carry out their project. Team members present the outcome of their project at the end of the program.

  • ¡DALE! incorporates mentorship to support students’ efforts and outcomes. Participants receive feedback, guidance, and support from local mentors. Each team of students is matched with a mentor based on their project goals. ¡DALE! mentors are selected based on the interests, experiences and goals of students in the program. mentor-mentee matching selections must be developmental and adapted to each mentee as personal and professional needs require. The mentors help team members to craft campaign ideas, map the political terrain, and plan adequate, effective, and bold ways to execute their project. Team members are expected to check-in with their mentors once every two weeks for at least 1.5 hours. Communication between mentors and mentees can be in person [following safety protocols], over the phone, or videoconferencing. Mentors also assist DALE students with budget management.