Building Our Future

During the past year, The Banyan Board of Directors approved our 2021-2025 Strategic Plan as our existing plan was expiring. In partnership with Deloitte and DeYoung Consulting, the Banyan Board of Directors, leadership, staff, parents, and community members developed the new 5 year plan that continues the journey we’ve been on to deepen our roots within the community and create enhancements to ensure youth and families receive relevant, future oriented programming.

The team undertook the most robust data collection process in Banyan’s history. Insight and information from parents, neighbors, community council, staff and board informed the process. In the end, the voices from over 100 interviews and surveys were reflected in the vision for the next 5 years!

Our ongoing and focused approach will continue to develop reconciled people, committed learners, and leading citizens.

Throughout a programming year, Banyan youth are exposed to a variety of educational opportunities to expand upon classroom learning. In particular, educators utilize hands on learning techniques that allow youth the explore while having fun at the same time. To deepen this work, Banyan seeks to develop partnerships with organizations that have expertise in various programming areas to enhance Banyan’s educational capabilities. This fall, Banyan partnered with a local group seeking to remove barriers and provide accessible STEAM programming in underserved communities. Working with our K-2 youth weekly, they provide all types of learning opportunities utilizing their expertise.

Bringing additional curricula and partners to expose youth to a variety of opportunities ensures we are instilling a love of lifelong learning at a young age that can be carried through the high school, postsecondary, and a meaningful career in the future. 

In response to the ever evolving job market, our support of youth beyond high school is evolving. Although we have always worked to support youth to reach their aspiration, we are working to ensure they explore options that are “right” for them, as individuals, not in a prescribed way.

Manny, DeLaSalle class of 2015, had initially started his postsecondary career in a four-year program with his sights set on an Automotive Engineering degree. He soon discovered that it wasn’t the right fit – he was more excited to work using his hands to fix cars. He navigated a transition to Dunwoody College where he enrolled in a Honda Professional Automotive Career Training program. He is now employed with Honda as a Journeyman Technician and loves his work. Someday he hopes to own a business fixing cars once he gains more experience and expertise.

Supporting our youth to find the right fit as they seek out career opportunities is the priority.

Banyan families reconnected at a summer picnic they organized alongside several staff members. Families lucked out with a perfect summer day that allowed them to relax and enjoy being with each other. Youth played volleyball and other games while parents cooked and served up hamburgers, hot dogs, and other classic picnic cuisine like potato salad, fruit, and cookies.

The leadership Banyan families demonstrated in organizing this picnic to build community is exactly the type of leadership we hope to embrace and grow over the next five years. As we build on new community-driven leadership, our connections and roots will grow even deeper.