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Thank you to the Trahan family for participating in Arboro's first parent interview. We are grateful for the opportunity to be part of your village. Read on to learn how Arboro empowers their family. How did you learn about Arboro Empowered? To be honest, I stumbled upon Arboro while we were sitting in our son's ICU room. It was after a great conversation with our social worker. She brought up some interesting points about how transitioning to our new normal can be very intimidating. She encouraged us to do something out in the community. Slow and steady: A few times we tried to make it out to story time, but it didn't happen- we had a lot of extra accessories and it was intimidating. When you go from one kid to two kids, it's hard enough, but when you throw in a little of extra pizzazz, it can take a while. What has been your experience at Arboro Empowered? It's hard to tell you just ONE positive experience that we've had at Arboro. I can tell you this, I've been heard. I had a conversation with Lindsay and Jenna about how difficult and expensive it is to receive/find services for a child who doesn't have a diagnosis, but so desperately needs the help. Within weeks, they found these services for us and the best part they offer them at prices that are affordable. There are no words to express our gratitude. What three words describe the culture and community at Arboro? Inclusive, diverse and an affable space. What skills or experiences is your child gaining in their classes at Arboro? For us our four-year-old has always struggled with his speech and others understanding him. Since starting classes -when he's coming home with a new technique, he glows. He is BEYOND proud of his new abilities and he definitely lets you hear it! How do you feel empowered as a parent at Arboro? I absolutely feel like I'm supporting my children in ways I wasn't able to before! What’s your favorite way to spend your time while your kids are in classes? My favorite thing to do when my kiddos are in classes is just to sit (sounds luxurious right?). We're continuously running around for appointments or on the phone with doctors. So being able just to sit and breathe is a pretty big deal. What would you say to a parent who is on the fence about signing their kid up for their first class? The one thing that I would say to a parent who's on the fence would be, "Just try." I know it's overwhelming, especially if your kiddo may need a bit more support. No matter if that means building a routine or helping them work through big feelings. The coaches are always going to meet your child where they are. It's okay for your child to be unapologetically themself. Arboro has benefited our family in so many ways. They have provided a safe environment for both of our children to grow, learn, and play. They have also given the parents an opportunity to grow by providing wonderful opportunities and experiences. How has Arboro benefited your family over the past few months? Oh goodness, I can go on and on with this one, like the class opportunities that have been provided, such as Language Lab, run by a licensed speech therapist or Seedling Explorers, led by a certified recreational therapist. Without Arboro, we wouldn't have been able to afford experiences like this, and it's a wonderful opportunity. For me, I think one of the most exciting things is to see the growth and how lively it is there! I love the fact that when they offer an adult class, they always think about the kids, so I never have to worry about missing because of child care! Signed, Parents of a medically complex toddler, and a gregarious four-year-old Caitlin Trahan with her two boys Photo credit: Allison C photography

Arboro Empowered is parterning with the pros at Triangle Child Psychology to bring their expertise on child development, parenting strategies, and early intervention options to Greensboro's community. Learn more about their 'why' for early intervention by hearing from our guest bloggers, Dani Small, MSW and Dr. Karen Luley, Ph.D, Psy. D. BY DANI SMALL, MSW AND DR. KAREN LULEY, PH.D., PSY.D. OF Triangle Child Psychology Every parent wants their kiddos to be the superheroes of their own stories - healthy, happy, and playing well with others while reaching their milestones. But what if there's a glitch in the matrix? Or some emotional or social hiccups? That's where early intervention swoops in to save the day! By spotting and tackling potential issues early on, kids get the necessary skills to rock their lives. Initiating early intervention is critical in enhancing outcomes and empowering children to attain their maximum potential. Children are at critical stages in development when their brains are most resilient and malleable, and before long-term habits and patterns have set in that make it harder for change to happen.  When problems are identified early, we have the best chance to shift the child’s developmental trajectory to a path of physical, social, emotional, and mental wellbeing, by providing essential skills that children can use throughout their lifetime. Additionally, early intervention can enhance the quality of familial relationships, elevate academic performance, and promote overall wellness. Early intervention can help children receive the appropriate care and support they need to overcome any challenges they may encounter. Generally, when these challenges are identified early, we have the best chance for interventions to be short-term and successful.  Interventions can involve a range of services, such as therapy, counseling, educational programs and resources, and medical interventions. By identifying and addressing potential issues early on, children are better equipped to handle any obstacles that may arise in their lives. Parents and caregivers play a crucial role in early intervention. They are often the first to notice any changes in their child's behavior or development and can work with healthcare or mental health professionals to identify the best course of action. It's important for parents and caregivers to be proactive and seek help if they have any questions or concerns about their child's development. At Triangle Child Psychology, we provide psychological, neuropsychological, and psychoeducational evaluations for children ranging in age from preschool through college who are struggling to achieve their potential due to developmental, cognitive, learning, processing, or social-emotional factors. We also offer one-on-one support and guidance to parents through our parent consultation services, as well as psychotherapy for children and young people. Early intervention is essential for supporting children's growth and development. By providing the necessary support and resources early on, we can help children reach their full potential and lead happy, healthy, and successful lives. So if you have any concerns, take action and let us help! On December 15, Arboro Empowered is hosting a Consultation Day with Triangle Child Psychology. All sessions are currently booked, but have no fear- we are working on a plan to bring this valuable resource and more to Greensboro again soon. Stay tuned by clicking the button below! Dream big! What resources or services would you love for Triangle Child Psychology to provide for your family? Share ideas for how TCP could equip families with knowledge and resources to help their families thrive. Maybe a parenting book club, parent support groups, Q&A sessions, consultations, parenting coaching, etc. We want to hear from you, 'Our Boro.' Comment below and help us imagine possibilities!

by Jenna Gilfillan, Co-Owner of Arboro Empowered “Tell me about your kids.” I can do that.  This morning I felt very lucky because the person who started this conversation was expert child psychologist, Dr. Karen Luley.  When I say expert, I mean expert.  We’re talking earner of not one, but two doctorates, which makes her bachelor’s and master’s degrees seem minor (which they are not), published author, celebrated clinician, and owner of Triangle Child Psychology in Chapel Hill. Plus, she’s got two kids.  She gets it. You might think someone like this would be intimidating but, spoiler alert- she’s lovely. Before we started our session, I was trying to decide which of the many parenting or child development questions I might ask that would help guide me through the constant maze of parenting.  As we started to chat, I felt immediately comfortable and enjoyed the opportunity to gain insight, confidence, and strategies. Dr. Luley was empathetic and genuine.  She helped me think proactively about ways to make small shifts in some of my current parenting practices that could make meaningful positive impacts on my family. She also offered me some tools and phrases I can use with my kids.  She helped me identify whether or not I should take further action with my concerns and what those action steps might look like. I walked away feeling equipped. It may be intriguing for me to tell you more details about our conversation, but apart from not wanting to embarrass my kids, I know that it wouldn’t serve you, the reader.  Why? Because, what I need, what my kids need, isn’t going to be the same as what your family might need. That’s the beautiful difference between sitting down with an expert like Dr. Luley who can offer insight into your specific situation, and the world wide web of information overload to sift through. By the way, I didn’t seek out a consultation because my kids are going through some sort of major problem.  I did it because I’m an imperfect human with imperfect human kids, just like every other parent.  I want to get better at all the things I care about doing well and there’s nothing I care about more than my kids. Reflecting on this morning had me wondering, ’Why haven’t I done this before?’  It’s probably because it seemed too complicated to figure out how to go about it.  Little did I know, I could’ve just clicked a link and scheduled one.  For free.  Easy peasy. Arboro Empowered and Triangle Child Psychology want to make it even easier (...and peasier?).  We know that empowerment is sparked by access to information and expert guidance.  That’s why we are offering a free Consultation Day for our community. We would be honored to connect a family with the same experience I had this morning; a chance to equip parents with information to support their family.  We know that moments like these have empowering ripple effects that go far beyond one conversation with two people. If you are a parent who seeks opportunities to learn and improve, this is an experience you will not want to miss. Imperfect in Arboro, Jenna Gilfillan *Tip- Click 'Register Now', then scroll down to find the appointment options. Are the sessions all booked up? Email us at hello@arboroempowered.com to be added to the waiting list or to get first dibs if we offer this again! We want to offer more opportunities for parents to access the expertise of Triangle Child Psychology. What ideas do you have about services we could provide? Book clubs focused on child development or parenting? Focus groups for a certain age range- terrible twos or tweens? Workshops on a certain topic? Parent support groups? We can't wait to hear what you dream up! Comment below!

Hello Arboro Empowered Community~ I couldn't be happier about my new connection to the creative and entrepreneurial leaders of Arboro. What an amazing addition to Greensboro! As a first-generation college student from a small town in South Carolina, my access to information about colleges, financial aid, and scholarships was extremely limited. However, I found myself at a school that was a perfect match for me and it changed my life. I was fully engaged in my psychology major, clubs, student government, residence life, and sports (as a spectator). It also helped that I had wonderful mentors who took an interest in me and have continued to support me throughout my career. I fell in love with the world of ‘college’ and went on to earn my Master’s degree in Education, specifically in a program known as Student Personnel Services. I learned about the history of how higher education has evolved in the United States, which trends impact our colleges and universities, and how to best support college-aged students. I devoured my academic work in higher education and even participated in a 3-month internship at the University of Alaska in Anchorage. I am still quite a nerd about all trends, research, and daily developments in the college world. My educational journey opened many doors for me and my goal is to be a part of opening doors for others by providing warm, personal support and comprehensive information. I’ve lived in Greensboro for 24 years and have raised two daughters here along with my husband, Brady. One of our daughters is studying veterinary technology at Appalachian State University and our other daughter is studying wildlife biology and conservation at the University of Vermont. Not only have I worked with hundreds of students and families in achieving their personal goals, I have experienced the college search first-hand as a parent. We are an adventure-loving family! When the weather warms up, I call it ‘adventure season’. We enjoy hiking, padding our kayaks all over NC, camping, waterfall exploring, and any other outdoor activities our schedules will allow. This summer, we drove to Michigan to be volunteer lighthouse keepers for a week! Check out the beautiful Pointe Aux Barques lighthouse. I am also an avid reader of all genres and am a champion napper when time allows. I’m looking forward to getting to know you and your children and hearing what your interests are! Join me on either December 12th or 13th for a workshop entitled The Six Elements of a Strong College Application. The workshop will run from 6 pm until 7:30 pm each night and will include refreshments and a tour of the beautiful Arboro Empowered space. I will also preview the two winter camps that will be offered during the week of December 18th. One camp will be designed for 9th-11th grades and the other camp will be designed for 12th graders. I would love to see you there! Warmly - Tammy What questions do you have about the college application process? Comment below!

By: Sarah Clark, Arboro Empowered Coach Local Firefighters of Ladder 22 reading aloud during storytime at Arboro Empowered. Reserve your spot at Arboro's weekly community storytime- every Thursday morning! When I think about reading, I have two very strong memories. Sitting in a circle with my 4th grade class while our teacher, Mrs. Govert, read The BFG at the end of the day while waiting for the bell to ring to go home. We would sit there drawn into the magic of the story so much that when the bell rang, we would exclaim, “Awwww we were just getting to the good part!” Sitting in the recliner at 9:00pm as a moody 6th grader reading the required text that I procrastinated until the last minute to read. My dad, being the avid reader he was, and knowing my procrastination habits, picked up the titles from the library for him to read alongside me. On this particular night, my dad offered to read aloud to me (to which I quickly felt offended at the mere thought of him underestimating my reading skills). Still, as he began to read aloud, I felt my body melt into the recliner and fall in love with the plot of the story until we finished half the book that night. We often think that reading aloud to kids is important in the early years as they are still developing their reading skills, but the truth is, even as an adult I find myself enthralled by a good read aloud. (I think it has fueled my love of audiobooks- or maybe it's that I am too busy to sit down as often as I’d like with a book!?) The research is consistent throughout the years about the benefits of reading aloud. Builds vocabulary, background knowledge, and the desire to read. Increases an association of comfort, connection, and pleasure with reading books. Immerses kids in the structure of a story, correct grammar, and sentence structure Develops language skills to make sense of the world. Creates experiences to hear fluency and expression when reading texts. -adapted from Jim Treleases’s Read Aloud Handbook I could go on and on about the benefits of reading aloud to kids but I will leave you with this quote: “Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.” ― Emilie Buchwald From Arboro to Yours, Sarah Clark Celebrate the magic of reading aloud as a family with Jolabokaflod- A family winter celebration at Arboro on Thursday 12/7/23. Free for the community! Learn more and reserve your spot by clicking here: https://www.arboroempowered.com/event-details/jolabokaflod-a-family-literacy-celebration-1 More information about the research behind reading aloud: 10 Benefits of Reading Aloud to Kids What Are the Benefits of Reading Aloud? Why Reading Aloud to Kids Helps Them Thrive We want to hear from you! What is your family’s favorite book to read aloud during the holiday season? Share yours below in the comments!

MONDAY 10/23/23 ​ TUESDAY 10/24/23 WEDNESDAY 10/25/23 THURSDAY 10/26/23 FRIDAY 10/27/23 Arboro T-shirts are officially in stock! Limited supply. Order yours today! Pre-ordered? Come by this week to pick yours up! Comment below with suggestions for days, times, class types, or feedback of all kinds! We are listening and adapting to our community. Your ideas help our small business take shape.

by, Sarah Clark, Arboro Empowerment Coach Mess. Loud. Failure. Those are 3 words that if you are like me, it immediately stresses us out! When I first started teaching, I always felt so self-conscious when people came into my classroom and the kids were working in groups, loudly talking to their peers and it felt like there were a lot of things happening at once around the room. I thought maybe it appeared I didn’t have any control. When in reality I knew exactly what they were doing. I would quickly feel the need to defend myself and tell the students to lower their voices. The hum and rhythm of the classroom would immediately slow down to hushed whispers and students started working more independently. Sounds like a good thing right? Not so much. As my students were working on their challenge task, where they had to figure out the best method to clean the oil off the bird feather in a real-world simulation, they were on task, collaborating with their peers, celebrating their successes, trying creative strategies, solving problems, learning from their mistakes, and having fun! According to the World Economic Forum, Future of Jobs Report 2023, the top 3 skills of 2023 are: Analytical Thinking Creative Thinking Resilience, Flexibility, and Agility STEAM and Innovative activities are CRUCIAL in a child’s development and vital to providing learning experiences. STEAM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. Why do we need to intentionally provide opportunities for STEAM and creative tasks? Creativity is a timeless skill. As new technology develops, problems become more complex, jobs are automated, and new skillsets are needed. Workers have to be creative to benefit from these opportunities! This next generation of students is going to encounter complex problems that are going to require creative and innovative solutions. Problems are inevitable. When was the last time everything went as perfectly as planned? Chances are you are going to encounter unexpected hiccups. You have to solve problems by coming up with a new way to approach something. How embarrassing would it be if every time something didn’t go our way as adults, we threw ourselves on the floor in a screaming fit?! This art of problem-solving is a valuable skill. STEAM and innovation activities create an encouraging environment for kids to collaborate on a common problem as they learn teamwork and communication skills simultaneously. Encourage Failure. Success and Failure go hand in hand. If you are afraid you are going to fail, you will miss opportunities to succeed. STEAM and innovation activities create a safe and encouraging atmosphere that allows kids to experience resilience as they try, fail, and try again! The good news is... There are tons of resources out there to facilitate creative tasks at home. Simply Google STEAM activities for kids. You probably already have a TON of great materials already at your fingertips. You can facilitate STEAM activities with legos, blocks, toilet paper rolls, or paper. You name it and you can use it! One more point When working with your child, resist the urge to just tell them how to do it. Instead, try asking them- What have you already tried? Arboro Empowered also offers STEAM classes throughout the week- go online to check it out! Our STEAM classes allow students to go through the Design Thinking process of Ask, Observe, Gather, Design, Test, and Solve with the help of other peers to solve problems and think creatively! What are some fun STEAM activities you want to try at your house? Comment below with what you’ve tried and what you hope to try soon! Innovators pictured here are engaged in a problem-solving challenge during STEAM Innovators Class with Ms. Sarah.

What does it look like at your house? At my house, it's when the most impressive stalling and negotiation techniques are practiced. If you're one of the lucky ones with a kid who tackles their homework independently, well, I'm jealous. It isn't like my kid doesn't love to learn. In fact, he considers solving math problems and reading fun most of the time. Once he starts. He doesn't like to start. He dreads starting. I get it. I feel the same way about exercising. Here is what I imagine happening in his mind: Homework? But I'm finally home. I want to do all the things. I want to play with this random toy I haven't noticed in months. I want to play with my sister. I want to teach the dog a trick. I want to ride my bike. I want to do ANYTHING but homework. Why? Not sure. Maybe because I am not choosing it, and all day long people have told me what to do and when to do it, and here we go again! Cue whining. Didn't work. Let's try leaving the vicinity. Didn't work. Pretend I'm sleeping! Bluff called. Oh no, now Mom's getting that tone in her voice. I don't like that tone. Maybe it's time to kick in my stellar negotiation tactics. "So Mommy..." Psychologists- there's got to be a name for these stages. And yes, we do have a routine. Yes, we do prepare him. Yes, he does get a break before launching into it. Trust me, I am all ears when it comes to other ideas! I wonder, what benefit could come from spending that time talking about his day instead of walking him through his "stages." How might we grow closer, and grow healthier? Less time at the homework table means more time outside. Less time fussing about what to do and when to do it means more time to navigate the challenges of life. Together. Sign me up. Literally. I'm signed up. We created Homework Help because there is no way I'm alone in this. How do I know for sure? Because of the countless parent-teacher conferences I've had in the role of teacher where parents have described an almost identical scenario to me. So many parents have told me about how tears are regularly spilled, voices are raised, and conflicts are common. All over homework. Oh, and don't get me started on the reading log. Too late. I've started. Here's my dilemma. As a Reading Specialist, I know just how important it is to read regularly to become a better reader. There is no question about it. I also know that if a kid is not drawn to reading (yet), if they don't find pleasure in reading (yet), or if they aren't in the right environment to focus on reading (yet), it can be another cause for the homework hangup (I'm workshopping phrases here). By the way, home might not be the best environment for every kid. Home can be wonderfully (or not so wonderfully) distracting with family members, favorite toys, yummy snacks, pets, etc. That's the best-case scenario. I also know that parents regularly face the ethical dilemma of one or many of the following scenarios: Do I sign it anyway if my kid didn't actually read? What message does that send to my child about honesty? Do I send it in blank? Will my kid get in trouble because I didn't make them complete it? What will the teacher think of me if the log isn't filled out each night? Where the heck is that log? What is a reading log? How many different colors of ink can I use to make it look like it took all month to fill this thing out? Let me crumple the edges a bit to really sell it... Did you fill out your reading log? Here's the deal. Reading is important. Parenting is hard. Being a kid is hard. Try this: Figure out what works and what doesn't for your family. Make a plan together that might include setting up the just right spot in the house and determining the just right after-school plan that you can all stick to as much as possible. Get your kid to read with someone else. We'll even sign the log for them! Seasonal and session package plans are available but space is limited. Ask the teacher if you can use a different type of log focusing on progress, not perfection. Have an evening "reading party" where you all, yes all, grab your own books, snuggle up together and read. What a great opportunity for you to get some me(ish) time, bond with your kids, and model reading habits. Read a magazine, a book, a blog (wink wink), it doesn't matter as long it's got sentences. Let them spend a week growing their vocabulary comprehension by listening to an audiobook. Alternate this with reading aloud- either you to them or them to you. Make sure they know how to pick out books appropriate to their level. Would you want to read an advanced chemistry textbook if you didn't understand it? I probably wouldn't make it to the second paragraph before conveniently finding something to conveniently distract me. Would you enjoy reading a kindergarten phonics book on your own? Boring! Parents, it's not easy. Let's hack this parenting thing. Comment with tips and tricks that work for your family. Imperfect in Arboro, Jenna What does the *+ mean on these services? It means they are included as part of both the Circuit and the Bolt Membership Plans!

I feel a connection with Arboro because the teachers know my name. They accept me for who I am, and they recognize my strengths and my efforts. They focus less on what is wrong and find the parts of it that are right and say “I see what you’re thinking, but try this” to guide me towards understanding it. I feel warm whenever I come in here and if I feel sad that day, whenever I come here and experience this I feel much better afterward. They can find ways to help you in all the different ways people learn. If you know math in a visual way they use the best materials to help you understand. I enjoy Homework Help because now that I'm in fourth grade my homework is harder and now that I'm here I can discuss it and say “I need help with this part” and they understand it. They always make it the main priority to help me find a way to do what I need first. The first time you might think “No I can't do that” but after coming here you will start to get bursts of energy and say “I can't do that yet.” They are a guidance counselor and a teacher. They love you for who you are and treat you with respect. I always feel good energy whenever I come in here. I come in feeling not that confident and I go out feeling more confident than ever. I know that I can do it! Your Glowing and Growing Arboro Ambassador, Julianna Gilet

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The benefits of giving our kids the gift of boredom. Today I came home to find a fort in the living room and a fort in the kitchen. I'll be honest. My first thought wasn't "Imagine the executive functioning skills my kids developed in planning their blanket structures!" My first thought wondering who was going to clean the mess. However, instead of verbalizing this thought, I put it on pause and admired the handiwork of the mini-architects begging to give me a tour. It's a couple of hours later now and my kids are in great moods, very loud great moods. Trust me, I deal out my fair share of screen time when I need to, but moments like this give me a chance to see the benefits of offering boredom instead. Happy kids after an afternoon of problem-solving and creative play is pretty solid evidence. This article by The Child Mind Institute talks about the benefits of boredom for kids including managing their tolerance for calm and quiet allowing minds to reflect and wander. Additionally, boredom allows children the chance to problem-solve and get creative. I commented on my own post recently (so cool of me) in an effort to get a conversation started (it didn't work....yet) about the concept of "And." Beware of over-relying on offering boredom in the name of a scientific article. Kids need structure AND boredom. Kids need interaction AND exploration. They need play that is guided AND play that is self-directed. Sometimes we can let them be bored and interact with some materials or toys we offer them, other times they can figure it out themselves. Are you more of a structure-every-moment parent or "free-range"? Are you more of a "let's play" or "go play" parent? Maybe you wish you could be more of one or the other but something gets in the way. Give yourself a break and remember that kids benefit most from multiple experiences- some structured, some unstructured. You aren't doing something wrong if you don't have everything planned out for their free time and you aren't doing something wrong if you do structure every moment! When they need a little something extra to get the boredom started... Kid Podcasts- Amazon Storytime and Wow in the World are favorites. My kids love to talk to Alexa to play these in their playroom. The podcasts introduce new ideas and vocabulary and kids can listen while they play. I often find my kids building towers while listening to these kid-friendly podcasts. Not a Box- A family favorite! This simple book shows the many ways the character uses a box and their imagination to play. We use the phrase "it's not a box" regularly now to explore multiple uses for all sorts of items! Shameless plug- I even wrote a book about what to do when you're bored. It's quite a helpful response to a bored kid to say, "I even wrote you a book about what to do when you're bored! Find an idea in there!" It's hard for even my 7-year-old to argue with that. As a middle school teacher, I created these Boredom Busters for use at school and for parents to use at home. Free download using the link! Want to know a secret? I wrote this post with an ulterior motive- to beg for comments from you, reader, teaching me all of your parenting wisdom (btw, I was today years old when I learned how to spell "ulterior"). Please, spread the love via comments!! What boredom busters do you use? If this is something you want to try out: I double-dog dare you to give your kid(s) the gift of boredom when you would usually give them a screen at least once this week! Tell us how it goes! Imperfect in Arboro, Jenna

How did we get to these 5? In the spirit of authenticity, let me tell you the real story... Lindsay and I are growing a business while also parenting. Not easy. You know what I mean. Because we knew we had to buckle down and focus, we decided to hit the road. We went aaaalll the way to Winston-Salem, about 30 minutes away. Our little staycation ended up being so productive and so good for us as friends and parents too. We stayed in a hotel, we ate good food, we drank good wine, we even stayed up past 10pm. We've been on vacation together before, but this was different, we were both having fun and being purposeful. We took our devices and our branding workbook with us everywhere we went-shout out to Jordan at https://www.branded-by-jordan.com/ for giving us a roadmap and simplifying this process for us. Here we are getting after it: We had long wonderful conversations about the precision of words we wanted to be the backbone of Arboro. Jordan gave us a long list of words that we sifted through on our own and in true Lindsay and Jenna style, when we compared our lists they were practically identical. By the way, I'm very proud of us for not showing up in exactly the same clothes by accident like we regularly do. Although, now that I think about it, I was wearing colorful vertically striped pants, so we probably did match more than we realized... After an evening of digging into our mission, vision, values, and all the branding goodies, we woke up the next morning and revisited it at Bitty & Beau's Coffee. What a perfect place to talk empowerment. You could really feel it the second you walked in. Their branding is clear and unapologetic. A breath of fresh air and a high bar set for us to strive towards. Serendipity struck when we realized the person the employees (all individuals with disabilities) were getting pictures with while we were there was the founder herself, checking in on the shop, and more importantly, supporting the people running the shop. Looking at our core values after a night of sleep (R.E.M. and everything), we were both feeling fully confident and excited about what we selected- Authenticity, Integrity, Connection, Discovery, and Empowerment. Why these? Authenticity- We want people to let down their guard, embrace the humanness of imperfection and feel the solidarity of knowing that we are all doing the best we can with what we've got. Integrity- Life is full of choices, integrity is about having the courage to make the ethical choices that will help and not hurt. Connection- We want Arboro to be a catalyst for connections to others, to new ideas, and to empowering resources Discovery- We want to curate opportunities for personal growth to take place through the process of discovery. We can offer options and resources to discover but the process of embracing an idea or discovering a possibility is within your hands. Empowerment- Let's evolve with joy. Let's lift each other up to better their lives and situations not just for themselves, but for everyone within their sphere of influence. To us, empowerment is about strengthening others in a way that will impact them in bigger ways than we can fathom. Imperfect in Arboro, Jenna Comment below and tell us -Which of our Core Values is your favorite? Why? - Which of these values have you noticed in Arboro's culture and how does it show up? -Which of these do you hope to foster most within yourself this year? How can we help? - Tell us about a time you empowered yourself with a change of scenery to gain perspective or to increase your productivity.