Who We Are

What Every Child Needs is a collective of folx from all walks of life who have come together to share their talents, expertise, and healing skills in Preparing the Village to Raise a Child.

Our Mission

WECN is here to disrupt the long term impact of adverse childhood experiences faced by youth who are traumatized by gender-based biases, racism, and other tools of institutional oppression.

Our Village

WECN Staff:

Theresa Fox, Founder, Executive Director, Facilitator

MA Nonprofit Leadership & Management, University of San Diego

“As a child I dreamed of growing up to become a doctor or librarian or dancer or actress, and always, queen of the universe. As an adult, I have been drawn to the nonprofit sector where I have over twenty years of experience in the fields of positive youth development, community health Edu-Tainment, program development, and grant management. I have climbed from direct service provider to Executive Director; served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Zambia + eSwatini; and raised four amazing humans. I am a self-proclaimed: Hip-Hop Hippie Faerie, Vagina Warrior, Thug-ish Unicorn, & Faith Walker. I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up…

BUT I do know that launching WECN is what I am called to do.”

WECN's Founding Board Members:

Sherrell M. Tyler, President

Sherrell M. Tyler has been a high school classroom teacher for students in underrepresented communities for nearly twenty years. Her passion stems from personal childhood and educational experiences. Teachers and community members who recognized the potential of every child motivated her. Sherrell returned to her community to mentor kids via sports. She knows the multifaceted approach kids need to develop into healthy adults. She acquired two Master’s Degrees in Educational Technology and Post-Secondary Educational Leadership to cultivate ongoing opportunities and advocacy for student’s educational, behavioral and social development at all age levels. Ms. Tyler is highly skilled in addressing a multitude of adverse challenges based on an individual’s goals.

Jen M. Torres, Vice President

Growing up in an underserved region of Puerto Rico, Jen saw first hand how important access to quality and equitable education is to both individuals and the development of communities. Jen has spent her entire career working with communities and families across difference to work towards the well being of all so that everyone thrives. Jen is a licensed teacher and has earned a B.A. in Music at the Interamerican University in San German, Puerto Rico, and an M.A. in Educational Equity and Cultural Diversity from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Most recently Jen has finished a degree in Advanced Educational Leadership at the School of Education at Harvard University.

Emily Benner, Secretary

Emily has spent the last five years working in the field of international development learning not only about policy and management, but also how to work alongside communities on the grassroots level. She brings not only a passion for community-led change, but a wealth of experience providing exceptional administrative, operational, and logistical support to mission-driven teams and individuals, and is therefore honored to join WECN as Secretary for the Board. She served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) as a Youth Development Officer for 18 months before evacuation in March 2020, and holds a B.A. from Allegheny College in History and hopes to soon pursue a Masters degree in Sustainable Development.

Grace Fisher, Treasurer

Grace (she/her) began working in an operational capacity for school-based organizations committed to building connections and community across lines of difference over two years ago. This was following her graduation with her Bachelors of Arts in Human Services and Social Justice with a minor in Spanish from the George Washington University. Grace has led volunteer teams in NYC focusing on hunger and homelessness, supported bilingual Washington, DC school programs in supporting holistic student wellbeing, and studied Development and Social Change in Cameroon with the School for International Training (SIT). Having grown up in NH, Grace now resides in Washington, DC.

WECN's Advisors:

Walter T. Alexander

LMSW, Hunter College

Jamila Aswad

MSW/MPH, Washington University in St. Louis

Deborah Battiste

MS, Counseling, University of Phoenix

Virginia Doucet

M.A. Regis University Denver Colorado

Kamau Malik Heptot

BS, Northwest Christian University

Adelina Tancioco

Masters of Social Work, California State University, East Bay

Marcellus Walker

MA, UC Santa Cruz

Mouse & Key

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