Futures Blog

July 13th, 2021 by Karen Herrling
Tags: Global Gender Based Violence Prevention, International Violence Against Women Act

FUTURES Senior Advisor Karen Herrling explains how the new policy dramatically improves the circumstances for immigrant survivors of gender-based violence with pending U visa applications.

On June 14^th, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) announced that it would provide employment authorization and deferred action for U visa applicants^[1] and their family members with pending, bona fide cases. This new policy dramatically improves the circumstances for immigrant survivors of gender-based violence with pending U visa applications. It allows them to work, be lawfully present, and aid law enforcement while waiting the full adjudication of their cases. Importantly, it also allows them to live a more normal life without fear from an abusive partner and immigration enforcement agents.…

November 19th, 2020 by Lilly Rose Valore, Program Assistant

“As a trans woman of color, I feel that Trans Day of Remembrance is every day for me. During this year’s commemoration I find myself asking what my contribution to the world should be and how I can raise the voices of trans women of color in America. When the one day the world chose to honor us ends, I don’t have the luxury to stop thinking about my ancestors who have been killed senselessly for no reason other than hate and the insecurities of others. Sadly this is my reality each day that I have been fortunate enough to survive through. Not every trans body is so lucky.…

October 22nd, 2020 by Leila Milani

On October 11^th the world celebrated the International Day of the Girl.  And this year, we at FUTURES, tip our hat off to a program that, through working with men and boys, makes it possible for girls to live a more secure and fulfilling life. One where if one day they do not show up for school someone steps up, searches for them, takes a stand to make sure they are counted,  and endeavors to provide them with the opportunity to learn and grow.  This a world where girls will grow up knowing that their presence is vital and their absence is noticed.

When school administrators, coaches, or youth service providers visit the official Coaching Boys Into Men (CBIM) site, www.coachescorner.com, they are seeking programs that can advance positive and respectful relationships among youth, they are seeking programs that can help young men see their role in society …

October 22nd, 2020 by Leila Milani

On October 11^th the world celebrated the International Day of the Girl.  And this year, we at FUTURES, tip our hat off to a program that, through working with men and boys, makes it possible for girls to live a more secure and fulfilling life. One where if one day they do not show up for school someone steps up, searches for them, takes a stand to make sure they are counted,  and endeavors to provide them with the opportunity to learn and grow.  This a world where girls will grow up knowing that their presence is vital and their absence is noticed.

When school administrators, coaches, or youth service providers visit the official Coaching Boys Into Men (CBIM) site, www.coachescorner.com, they are seeking programs that can advance positive and respectful relationships among youth, they are seeking programs that can help young men see their role in society …

June 29th, 2020 by Claire Helpingstine MS, PhD Candidate Psychology, Florida International University

If someone were to ask me to pick one word to summarize my experience as a fellow in the FUTURES Campus Leadership Program, I think that I would choose the word, bittersweet. I am certain you are thinking, “How unoriginal,” and I cannot help but to agree. Nevertheless, I have given this much thought, and sometimes, the most seemingly unoriginal thing is also the perfect thing. Let me explain: A friend once told me a story about overcoming the largest hurdle of their dissertation project with an everyday kitchen utensil. To put it briefly (and in a language far more palatable), my friend was attempting to heat an awfully expensive chemical solution, yet every attempt resulted in a small fire and reprimand from my friend’s advisor. After coming up with a number of high-tech solutions all to no avail, a research assistant’s mother suggested the use of a basic …