In this story, Ayesha  Wilson shares  her journey  learning about the diverse cultures of her students. "Building trust with families and being culturally proficient, run hand-in-hand,"Ayesha explains. In her story we learn how curiosity, openness and humility can be the bridge to forming strong relationships with youths' families. 

​To support you in using these resources with your staff, download our UPDATED Facilitator's Guide here!

Guiding Questions

• When the parents in this video say that the Work Force program feels, “like a family,” what practices do you think they have in mind?
• How many staff members in your organization share cultural identities with students and their families?
• What steps could individuals on your staff take to deepen respect for the cultures and identities of the families you are partnering with?
• What does it mean to “be there for families” that are in your program?​

Our Takeaway

• Building trust with individual families is a pivotal step for staff who seek to develop their cultural proficiency. Humility, curiosity and open-mindedness are qualities that help build cultural bridges.
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