Conrad N. Hilton Foundation

The evidence is clear: when we invest in the early years of a child's life, families and communities thrive. Maniza Ntekim, Senior Program Officer for our Early Childhood Development (ECD) initiative, explains why we focus on nurturing care for the youngest children and their caregivers across East and Southern Africa. https://lnkd.in/gf4nCGpJ

Philanthropy can’t replace public aid — and it shouldn’t try. But it can help shape what comes next. In this Devex op‑ed with Nancy Lindborg and Srikanth (Srik) Gopal, we outline four critical shifts needed for a more trusted, effective, and locally led development system — and where philanthropy can play a catalytic role in this moment of disruption. Read the piece here:

During Social Worker Appreciation Month, I’ve been reflecting on my 21 years as a social worker—and how much the job demands, often without the right systems in place. Social workers aren't set up to succeed in supporting caregivers, even though caregivers are central to a young person’s stability and well-being.   I wrote a blog for the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation on this gap and what it will take to fix it, highlighting work from HKS Government Performance Lab on system-level reform and California Youth Connection (CYC) on youth-led training models for social workers and caregivers. To those still directly serving children, youth, and their families: I show up every day in honor of your commitment, and strive to make your jobs easier so that you can do what you do best. Thank you for what you do despite, and because of, the odds. https://lnkd.in/g6nJGQjt

Across rural communities in Ethiopia, Ghana and Uganda, people are powering safe water services at home, in schools and in health care facilities. We invest in strong service delivery models and innovative financing to ensure professional, reliable and affordable safe water services. On #WorldWaterDay, we recognize that more than 2 billion people globally still lack reliable safe water services. Yet, we also see real progress. Local leaders, service providers and governments are innovating and powering sustainable safe water systems that keep water flowing year after year. Our work with partners helps ensure that when remote communities gain access to safe water, they can count on it for the long haul. See how our Safe Water initiative helped reach millions with safe water services: https://lnkd.in/gmAQgwPH

Refugee-led organizations drive locally led, cost-effective and lasting refugee responses—yet they receive just 1% of response funding. In a new guest blog, Ishimwe Jean Marie, East Africa Regional Lead at Refugees Seeking Equal Access at the Table (R-SEAT) and partner of our Refugees Initiative, outlines six ways funders can direct more funds to refugee-led organizations and ensure they are leading localization efforts. https://lnkd.in/ghf_dPZ6

Imagine the power of 700,000 deeply trusted local leaders, all quietly improving life for people too often forgotten. That is the global Catholic sisterhood.   During #CatholicSistersWeek, we honor their commitment and the powerful networks they’ve formed in anti-trafficking, healthcare, youth and women’s services, journalism and beyond.   Our Catholic Sisters initiative invests in strengthening sisters' networks because sisters are leading community-driven change around the world. Learn how we support sisters' networks: https://lnkd.in/enVwWrmf

Catholic sisters are often a quiet force for good, but moments like this remind us how vital it is to lift up their selfless spirit and tireless service. We’re celebrating Sister Norma Pimentel, MJ, who has been recognized by TIME Magazine for the second time—this year as one of the "Women of the Year." Sister Norma is being honored for her leadership in transforming the Humanitarian Respite Center in McAllen, Texas, expanding its mission from primarily supporting migrants to now serving local community members with food, shelter and essential resources. As we observe #CatholicSistersWeek, join us in recognizing the global Catholic sisterhood and meet the sisters who are changing the world through our #SistersLead series: https://lnkd.in/eE_Chj6F

For as many as 80% of Venezuelan refugee and migrant women in Ecuador, supporting a family involves informal street work that comes with instability and constant risks.   Las Reinas Pepiadas is changing that with women-centered business training, safe child care and psychosocial support. It’s a supportive community where women build safe and sustainable livelihoods through social media and children receive quality child care to help them learn, play and grow.   In contexts where migrant women face deep socioeconomic exclusion, approaches like this matter. They invest in the whole person, creating space for women to regain stability, heal from adversity, and reach their full potential. #InternationalWomensDay

Mozambique is proving what’s possible when every child gets the chance to thrive. A new primary healthcare approach is giving caregivers the tools they need to support their children’s nutrition, play and development from pregnancy through age two—and it’s already reaching hundreds of thousands more families. Every child deserves a fair start in life. That’s why we partnered with UNICEF to highlight what’s working across East and Southern Africa in our new Compendium of Good Practices for ECD. Explore the insights: https://lnkd.in/gT3XfNTK 

A new report from the Louisiana Opportunity Youth Alliance (LOYAL) sheds light on the steep climb many young people in Louisiana face on their path to adulthood. The analysis maps the key transition points where youth face overlapping barriers and need additional supports. With one of the highest youth disconnection rates in the country, Louisiana faces an urgent challenge. This report pinpoints the ages, regions and populations where young people need stronger, more consistent support. No young person should have to navigate their journey into adulthood alone. They deserve stable systems, clear pathways and opportunities that allow them to thrive. Caitlyn Pecoraro, Senior Advocacy Officer, Older Youth Initiative, breaks down the top insights from "Powering Potential: Plugging In Louisiana’s Opportunity Youth:" https://lnkd.in/gHBVeMnW