Creating Brave Spaces at Christopher House: A Conversation with our School Counselor
Christopher House works to create warm, welcoming, and safe learning environments that encourage our scholars, teachers, families, and staff to show up each and every day as their authentic selves. Each member of our community is vital in creating and maintaining these brave spaces, and Jose Valencia, Elementary School Counselor, is no exception.
Joining the Christopher House community at the start of the 20230-2024 school year, Jose dove in with two feet, assisting scholars in academic improvement plans, consulting 8th graders on which high schools might best fit their life interests, and offering counsel on obstacles faced by Elementary School-aged students today. Through his ongoing work, his passion for helping children and his dedication to our local community has shown through every step of the way.
In honor of PRIDE month, we sat down with Jose to discuss the importance of identity, love, and acceptance for Elementary School scholars, and how he works to support this in his unique role. He had these words to share:
Q. In your own words, can you explain the significance of PRIDE month?
“PRIDE month is important for us to know and celebrate because of the important gains and hardships that people in the LGBTQIA+ community have been through historically and are still experiencing. PRIDE month also gives individuals a time and place to come together and connect through a shared identity and move forward together.”
Q. Why is PRIDE month, and by extension, the celebration of diverse forms of love and identity, important for Elementary and Middle School scholars?
“PRIDE month is important for scholars because the elementary and middle school years are so formative in their creation of their identities. Schools have a responsibility to provide awareness, knowledge, and resources to community members so youth and their families know that their thoughts and feelings are universal. At Christopher House, our goal is for everyone to feel welcome, accepted, and celebrated as important members of the Christopher House community.”
Q. What impact can educators, social workers, and leaders have on students and the community when it comes to PRIDE?
“We can impact the community in meaningful ways. During the middle school years, youth are going through significant physical, cognitive, and social changes so it makes sense that they and their families would have all sorts of questions about their identities. It is important for adults to provide students with healthy environments where they feel safe and included. If someone does not feel welcome, they most likely won’t feel safe or valued either. They won’t be able to maximize their learning and they might adopt maladaptive social/emotional coping strategies. One way to ensure scholars feel seen and welcome is by posting visuals such as a PRIDE flag or pictures and facts about historical figures in the LGBTQIA+ Movement.”
Q. In your role, how do you work to spread love and acceptance within the Christopher House community?
“As a school counselor, I aim to be a positive force at Christopher House by being available to students, families and colleagues. I do my best to spread wellbeing by providing educational resources on potential options for the future, recognizing student/staff accomplishments, and helping others who might not be feeling like their best, authentic selves. My hope for educational institutions is that they continue to be pillars of the community and places that innovate learning. We need to continue to keep pace with shifting societal trends and student/family needs, while staying true to our mission of educating the whole child/family.”
Between decorating classroom doors and coloring flags from over 20 countries, Christopher House staff gathered weekly to hear personal stories from prominent members of our community, including Ricardo Villalobos, Christophr House Director of Family and Community Engagement, Frank Velez, Deputy Chief/Special Events for the Chicago Fire Department, Cristina Pacione-Zayas, First Deputy Chief of Staff in the Office of the Mayor, and Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, Alderman for Chicago’s 35th ward. Reflecting on their own past experiences and their current roles, the speakers shared how their cultures and identities have influenced who they are today and the greater impact they hope to have within our shared community.
Christopher House is committed to creating a culture of belonging and nurturing a positive sense of identity, both within our classroom and the surrounding community, and this begins with celebrating the diversity of our scholars, families, staff members, and neighbors.
