Jesse McLean isn't
exactly a globetrotter. He has spent the bulk of his life in Philadelphia,
where he grew up, and Pittsburgh, where he now lives. But as the executive
director of Every Child, Inc., Jesse understands how to navigate different
cultures.
"Every time we
go into a family's home, we go into another culture," said Jesse, whose
organization works to develop and strengthen family relationships. "That's
why our job is so difficult and so amazing, because we're going into homes
where the culture isn't predictable."
Jesse McLean was
nominated to be a Dignity & Respect Champion by Jada Shirriel, Every
Child's director of marketing and development. With Every Child, Jesse
offers a variety of services for birth, foster and adoptive families, as well
as children with special needs. One such program arranges supervised visits
between birth parents and children placed in foster homes.
"Imagine the
shame, fear, guilt, and regret that a parent may feel when he or she loses
custody of a child," Jada said. "Jesse ensures that birth
parents utilizing Every Child's family visit space are treated with the dignity
and respect that they need to gain, restore, or model positive parenting
interaction with their child."
Jesse says
understanding others' differences is essential to his work. It's important not
to impose one's values on others, he said, especially when doing so can be
hurtful or disrespectful. In his work he tries to foster communication that
leads to stronger relationships based on mutual appreciation.
"If everybody
treats everyone with kindness and consideration, then no one would have to
touch the stove to realize it's hot," Jesse said. "Everybody would
think about things before they actually do them."
While Jesse
has been with Every Child since November 2009, that wasn't the start of his
work with youth. In 1999, he helped create the VULCAN summer program at
California University of Pennsylvania, his alma mater. The program-whose
acronym stands for vision, understanding, leadership, civility, academics, and
nutrition-offers college preparation to sixth-graders.
Jesse said
it's best to work with kids when they're young to build a solid future. The
program has sent more than 125 students to CAL U and covered their tuition. The
graduation rate-100 percent.
"You need time
for these kids to engage with you," he said. "Once middle-school kids
engage with you, they'll follow you to the end of earth."
Growing up in
Philadelphia, Jesse said, was what caused him to go into his line of work.
"I saw a lot
of unfortunately negative things," he said. "I always knew that
whenever I got older I wanted to create life-impacting experiences for kids,
because I knew that I wasn't seeing that where I came from. I knew what was
missing. So I said, 'Wherever I go, wherever I wind up, whatever community I'm
in, I'm going to make life-impacting experiences for kids.' "
A Penn Hills
resident with a son who serves in the military, Jesse said dignity and
respect guide his actions both at work and in everyday life. He credited his
dedicated staff with helping to create an inclusive workplace.
"Sometimes the
little things--just to say thank you, just to say 'I appreciate what you've
done'-are what creates a positive culture," he said.
Do you know an individual who makes a positive impact and promotes an environment of inclusion? If so, nominate the person in your life you
feel has made a difference for the Dignity & Respect Champion Award! Follow the link to get started: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/L2YHWGZ
