The Village Ltd., a 501(c)3 nonprofit, is on a mission to transform Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) education. We aim to create a more equitable and inclusive society by developing research-based programs that counteract bias development in children from preschool to 12th grade.

Our flagship program, The Firefly Kids™ I BElong!™ Series, ignites a revolution against bias development in young hearts. This groundbreaking initiative empowers PreK-Grade 3 students to embrace inclusivity, belonging, and equity from the very start. In pursuit of “true” equality, our programs tackle all forms of bias head-on, challenging prejudices related to race, gender, religion, ability, sexual identity, and family construct. By equipping young minds with the social emotional tools they need to navigate their ever changing environments, and dismantling harmful biases, The Village Ltd. aims to cultivate a more inclusive and equitable society where every individual has the opportunity to thrive.

Bias, a pervasive issue, undermines the principles of equity and inclusion. Even at a young age, children are exposed to societal norms, stereotypes, and biases that can shape their perceptions and attitudes. Traditional approaches to DEI fall short in addressing bias at its root, leading to persistent inequalities.

The I BElong!™ Series is a groundbreaking, first in kind, program designed for early childhood education, that weaves inclusivity, belonging, and equity into its core. This research-backed program utilizes a multi-disciplinary approach, drawing from sociology, psychology, early education, behavioral and bias development, to create a year-round social-emotional learning experience. Engaging read-out-loud stories and playful activities immerse young minds throughout the entire school year, equipping them with the tools to navigate the world with empathy and understanding – a powerful foundation for a more equitable future.

Our program is designed to:

Address Bias Development: The I BElong!™ Series directly targets the root causes of bias by providing children with the social emotional toolbox to navigate their ever changing cultural landscape.
Promote Social-Emotional Skills: The program utilizes play and read-out-loud to develop essential social-emotional skills such as self-awareness, self-regulation, and empathy.
Unlocking Individuality, Embracing Differences: Our stories ignite a journey of self-discovery in children, nurturing their individual worth and identity. As their self-love blossoms, they develop a deep appreciation for the unique qualities in others, transforming differences from barriers into bridges of understanding and celebration.
Cultivate a Sense of Belonging: By creating a safe and inclusive interactive learning environment, the program helps children develop a strong sense of belonging and self-worth, regardless of their background or identity.

Understanding that biases often take root during early childhood, The Village strategically focuses on this critical age group. Our year-round program utilizes immersive classroom kits, packed with engaging storybooks, activities, and educational toys. This "mesh scaffolding" fosters inclusivity, belonging, and equity (IBE) by equipping young minds with essential social-emotional and executive functioning skills. The Firefly Kids™ I BElong!™ Series operates on several key tactical fronts:

Research-Based Curriculum: The cornerstone lies in comprehensive, research-backed curricula developed in collaboration with experts in early childhood education, psychology, sociology, and bias/behavior development. This ensures the program's effectiveness in addressing bias and executive function development.
Immersive Classroom Kits: These kits, integrated into classrooms and preschools, offer a blend of teacher-led and independent activities, catering to diverse learning styles and fostering consistent active engagement.
Playful Learning: Educational toys and activities make learning fun and interactive, solidifying key concepts, encouraging executive skill development, and encouraging positive social interactions.
Storytelling Power: Engaging storybooks within the kits act as powerful tools for sparking discussions, fostering empathy, and challenging biases in a relatable and age-appropriate manner. This is where the Village Ltd. breaks ground:
- Nine Child Protagonists: Instead of a single central character, the stories revolve around nine distinct child characters, each representing diverse backgrounds, abilities, and personalities. This intentional choice embodies equity right from the base, as children are more likely to identify and connect with a character who shares their own characteristics or experiences.
- Shared Narrative: These nine characters navigate different situations and challenges together, learning and growing alongside each other. This collective journey reinforces valuable lessons about collaboration, acceptance, and celebrating differences.

The I BElong!™ Series has the potential to create a lasting impact on an individuals life. By investing in our program, you are investing in a bias-free future where children can thrive, regardless of their race, gender, religion, ability, family construct, sexual identity or background. Your support will help us:

Reach ALL Communities: We aim to provide free classroom kits to schools nationwide, ensuring every child has access to our program.
Manufacture 1st 500 Classroom Kits of our Flagship Series: With your support, we will be able to manufacture the first 500 classroom kits for distribution and be able to create a self sustaining financial model to continue to distribute our programming for free. All proceeds up to $90,000 will go directly into manufacturing costs and the costs associated with this campaign.
Conduct Impact Studies: With any funding received above the $90,000, we plan to use a portion of our profits to conduct studies that measure the impact of our program on children's bias development and social-emotional skills.

Join us in our mission to create a more equitable and inclusive future for all children. Donate now and be a part of the change!

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