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NOLA C.A.R.E.S. Participatory Action Research Showcasing PAResearcher findings about wealth building in their communities.

June 21, 2023: Beloved Community at the TEP Center, New Orleans

This showcase was a step in moving from research to action — starting with family, friends, and the NOLA CARES collaborative members.

The room hummed with excitement as the crowd, some thirty people, roamed from one gold star balloon to another. Beneath each balloon, a table displayed the results of a deep dive into Participatory Action Research. Twelve PAResearchers were on hand to showcase their findings, answer questions, and celebrate their accomplishments with the family, friends, coworkers, community members and NOLA C.A.R.E.S. partners who came to support and learn from the work.

Wanda Filmore's research focused on avenues for saving and building wealth on a limited budget. Implications of her work address policy around SNAP benefits and supported savings programs.

The balloons matched the star stickers the crowd thumbed into pamphlets to mark each table they visited. At the end of the evening, these pamphlets and the constellation of stars they contained were a tribute to the knowledge and wisdom each woman had shared.

What is Participatory Action Research?

Participatory Action Research (PAR) is the process of collaboratively seeking answers to community-informed and -driven questions in a way that is edifying, inclusive and regenerative," Dr. Nnenna Odim shared. Associate Director of PAR at Beloved Community, she believes "research should be leveraged to help people change systems." Done right, "it has the potential to be emancipatory." With NOLA C.A.R.E.S., PAR researchers are actively and creatively interrogating issues that impact their lives as ECE providers and teachers, parents, and community members.

"PAR is community-based understanding of research. PAR is, 'what does care look like for you, and what does listening look like for you?' PAR means I'm always gonna come back to y'all to ask what you need." — Dr. Nnenna Odim
Dr. Nnenna Odim, Associate Director of PAR at Beloved Community, gathers the group. Behind her, Dr. Allisyn Swift, NOLA C.A.R.E.S. Project Director, prepares to address everyone.

The work began in June 2022, as the first cohort of PAResearchers gained training and confidence in research practices and came to recognize and explore the wealth of knowledge, experience and understanding present in her own life and the lives of others in her community. Some became trainers in the second cohort.

As of June 2023, 24 Black and/or Latinx women have participated in the program, exploring topics they are passionate about, sharing learnings, and proposing policy changes and other potential solutions to uplift their community and make a positive impact on their lives and others'.

Family, friends, co-workers and other community members showed up to support and learn from the PAResearchers.

As distinct from conventional academic research, which often separates and elevates those in the role of researcher above the community they study, PAR confirms the centrality of lived experience and prioritizes community knowledge. This is a distinct feature from conventional academic research which often separates and elevates the role of the researcher above the community of study

Dr. Odim said it was an honor to spend time with folks who have the passion, the intelligence, and the know-how, and then get to put the focus on them. She added, "Rarely do we get asked, 'What do you want? What do you need? What do we think?'"

Cierra Hughes, there to support her mom's presentation, said the showcase was "amazing. It's encouraging to know there's a program supporting NOLA, especially Black women in NOLA. It was so impressive to learn about all these different resources."
even the cake was adorned with stars! Dr. Odim and Beloved Present par researchers with a sweet surprise.

As Dr. Odim explained, PAR is community members deciding what and how to research. A big goal of this showcase, she said, was to see if there are people who want to join forces. Research can be gatekeeping. “That is not what we’re trying to do here. We’re opening doors to other people in the community, as well," said Dr. Odim.

The community responded with interest, enthusiasm and ideas.

Peggy Patterson's work with children has led her to engage with a statewide advocacy group supporting people with developmental disabilities.

One NOLA C.A.R.E.S. partner present, Kristi Givens, co-founder of For Providers by Providers, shared that talking with Peggy Patterson, a PAResearcher focused on supporting children with disabilities, touched her heart. “I’ve been working in early childhood for over 23 years. And when I was looking at her, hearing how passionate she is about it, I was like, ‘wow, she should be a coach.’ She should be a person that's going in the community talking to parents and helping support other teachers."

Naomi, a 5th grader, was there with her grandmother, Cathey Coleman, and excited to talk about how her summer camp was helping her learn about businesses and read more books. Several of the PAResearchers focused on entrepreneurship, particularly in the field of Early Care and Education.

At least two guests were at the showcase to gain community knowledge on how to start an early childcare center. Anthony Roman said he came to network. He thinks there should be expanded funding to support more early childcare.

Rochelle Wilcox, co-founder of For Providers by Providers, emphasized the value of organizations that make sure programs are actually accessible to the community. She thanked Dr. Odim and Beloved Community for creating a trusting space for agency and resources.

She believes the PAR program is vital for centering the women who take part, confirming their authority and providing a context of care and listening. It's “a place where somebody can adjust your crown,” Ms. Wilcox said.

Twelve PAR Researchers took part in the showcase, but many more have contributed to the growing knowledge base for NOLA C.A.R.E.S.

Clockwise from top: Felicia Dickerson; Yolanda Dozier;Lisa Williams flyer; Kisha McLeod; Lisa Williams flyer.

Topics addressed by presenters at the showcase included:

  • Wealth Building
  • How to Save Money
  • Type 3 Child Care Centers
  • Starting an In-home Childcare by Becoming a Registered Family Childcare Provider
  • Mental Health for Childcare Providers
  • Mental Health in the Workplace
  • Hospice Care
  • How Can We Bring More Awareness to Early Childhood Literacy?
  • Early Intervention for Learning Disabilities
  • Early Childhood Literacy for Children with Learning Disabilities
  • Children with Developmental Delays
  • Food Insecurity

Ampersand's Ali DeFazio attended the showcase and interviewed most of the presenters. For more detailed information about each of these topics and the PAResearcher involved, please visit the site below.

Research to Action

As powerful and celebratory as the evening was, it was far from a closure. Many PAResearchers developed or reinforced an interest in pursuing policy advocacy and/or providing support and mentorship to others in their community.

MELonie pichon, whose work explored regulatory and resource ins-and -outs involved in opening a type III (publicly funded) early learning center, has herself become a resource for others in the community with similar aspirations.

In pursuing her research, Ms. Pichon leveraged NOLA C.A.R.E.S. connections to gain knowledge and understanding. She credits Dr. Libbie Sonnier from the Policy Institute for Children (LPIC), a NOLA C.A.R.E.S partner, with helping her to interpret legislation. Ms. Pichon and Dr. Sonnier met at a NOLA C.A.R.E.S.-organized Happy Hour, a social event to facilitate relationship building between PAResearchers and NOLA C.A.R.E.S. Partners.

“PAR connected me with other organizations that could catapult me. Now I'm mentoring other potential childcare providers.”—Melonie Pichon

Responding to PAResearchers' interest in fostering change on the issues that matter to them and the communities they represent, Dr. Odim organized a series of workshops addressing policy advocacy. In one, held June 7 at the TEP Center, NOLA C.A.R.E.S. partners spoke about opportunities, offered resources and shared first-hand experience around making change.

In one, held June 7 at the TEP Center, NOLA C.A.R.E.S. partners spoke with PAResearchers about opportunities, offered resources and shared first-hand experience around making change.

PAResearchers discussed the benefits of focusing on advocating for policy change. It's helpful to learn more about how power is shared in policy discussions, and it can help them empower others as well. Several remarked on ways they can build confidence and capacity in parents to advocate for their own children.

A survey co-created by Ampersand's Nancy Breton and Dr. Odim prompted discussion of some of the challenges that hold folks back from advocating for policy change. Some of the reasons they shared are below.

  • Some may feel unsupported by those they're advocating for. Not everyone understands that "this is tied to this."
  • People need their immediate needs taken care of before they can shift to an advocate role.
  • Lack of knowledge; don't know where to start.
  • Fear that those close to you might be opposed.
  • It's hard to be a pioneer! Even with conviction, if you aren't supported, you may not be able to move forward.
When asked what they'd most like policy makers to ask them, Felicia Dickerson said, 'How can we support you? What specific supports do you need?'

The work of PAResearchers can give policymakers insight into that exact question.

NOLA C.A.R.E.S partners joined in to support and empower PAResearchers to become effective advocates.

Ms. Shannon shared workbooks chock-full of tips for navigating the legislative process.

Morgan Shannon of Power Coalition for Equity and Justice, a NOLA C.A.R.E.S. partner, guided PAResearchers through the processes and key leverage points for legislative change and electoral politics. She offered key strategies for engaging community and amplifying the voices. And she gave a clear-eyed and candid assessment of the racial inequities that generated and continue to impact the Black and Latine women who work in ECE.

The [state] budget is a moral compass. It tells you what's important [to legislators]."

Rochelle Wilcox of For Providers By Providers shared her story of learning to speak up for the people and issues she feels passionate about. "Educate yourself," she advised. "You can only advocate about what is most important to you. Don't be intimidated. You voted them in, you can vote them out!"

Tell your story. Be proud of who you are. It can only propel you forward."

Joining by Zoom from Baton Rouge, Dr. Libbie Sonnier of LPIC described the ways her organization turns to providers for insight and expertise when advising on legislation and informing lawmakers. "Don't be afraid to call your elected officials," she said. "Go up to them. When you're relentless, they're listening. Your lived experience and that of the people you work with every day -- that's data!"

If we don't speak out, who will? We have to be bold and brave."

PAResearchers have already met with success in some efforts to leverage their findings to create change. One center has begun including a question where teachers can add a topic they'd like included in professional development. This was based on feedback from a PAR projects focusing literacy, developments delays, and retention of educators. In meetings set up with NOLA C.A.R.E.S. partners, they've shared their experience and insights regarding City programming obstacles, discussed the need for mental health supports in the workplace, and advocated for more meaningful professional development for ECE caregivers. The opportunities are profound for PAResearchers to take a leading role in determining the direction of project efforts.

Ampersand is honored to be part of a collective effort to track and report on these efforts. Our Research and Policy Lead, Nancy Breton, describes this in greater detail in a mini-report linked below. Additional information can be found in Dr. Odim's regular presentations and by contacting her directly.

Through Participatory Action Research, NOLA C.A.R.E.S. puts community CARE and expertise at the center of the work.

This presentation was created by Ampersand LLC for the NOLA C.A.R.E.S. Collaborative. Ali DeFazio reported and photographed the PAR Showcase on June 21. Nancy Breton leads the evaluation effort regarding PAR. Kathy Namba and Summer Wood reported and photographed the June 7 PAR-Policy Workshop. Huge thanks and deep respect to Dr. Nnenna Odim of Beloved Community, and all the PAResearchers who shared their work and insight.