2020-2021 Annual Report | Nest Global

De ar Friends ,

2021 was an incredible year of growth for PILA and a powerful reminder of how far our organization has come. Since opening our first Nest to young refugee children in Lesvos, Greece, four years ago, we've opened eight more beautiful learning spaces for and with communities experiencing displacement and poverty. Now serving more than 4,000 children and families worldwide, the Nests provide safe learning and play opportunities in Mexico, Greece, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Zimbabwe —countries with areas of tremendous hardship and deprivation and also ones filled with children eager to explore, connect, and create.

At each of our Nests, nurturing relationships with highly qualified teachers enable children to build confidence, develop literacy and numeracy skills, work collaboratively, and heal through playful learning. New partnerships with organizations including UNICEF, Hauser & Wirth and March Studio allowed us to bolster our art programs, provide innovative spaces for indoor and outdoor play, and expand our educational programming.

In my time at PILAglobal, I have been enormously impressed by our unique programmatic approach, our dedicated volunteers, and the generosity of our many supporters. But what has impressed me most is the unwavering tenacity of the families we work with and the commitment of our global team. In the face of an ongoing pandemic, a shortage of basic resources and ever-changing immigration policies, our team is delivering tangible, measurable impact: We are providing critical learning and play opportunities to children who otherwise wouldn't have access, partnering with local organizations to achieve sustainable, quality early education programs and classes and support to parents and caregivers.

All of this is challenging, life-changing work—and none of it would be possible without the generosity and commitment of our PILAglobal supporters.

Our work is more relevant than ever, and we are excited to expand our reach. Thank you for being on this journey with us. We look forward to working with you in 2022!

With gratitude,

Lindsay Weiss ert

2021 NESTS MAP

Image: Thumbnails for each location

Text: Map Headline (< 40 words), The NEST Program (<120 words), Locations

Graphics: Map

NES TS Around t he World

In January of 2018, PILAglobal launched The Nest: a global constellation of innovative and engaging play-based education spaces for young children. The Nest provides some of the world’s most vulnerable children with invaluable educational, social, and play-based experiences that cultivate a sense of stability, security, and agency. The opportunity to be in a safe learning environment has the potential to change the course of a child’s life.

Since opening our first Nest to refugee children in Lesvos, Greece, four years ago, we’ve opened eight additional learning spaces. Now serving more than 4,000 children and families worldwide, the Nests provide safe learning and play opportunities at seven locations throughout Europe, Africa and the US-Mexico border.

NEST NORTE

CANYON NEST

NEST CENTRITO

NEST ATHENS

NEST ZIMBABWE

NEST CONGO

I REALLY ENJOY WORKING WITH THE YOUNGER CHILDREN. I AM GETTING TO KNOW THEM, THEIR DREAMS, IDEAS AND CHALLENGES. I LOVE BEING A PART OF THEIR WORLD AND THEIR IMAGINATION.

- DORIS, LOCAL NESTER

Graphics: **Maybe an infographic to summarize some of the NEST MODEL

The NEST Mode l

WHEN AT THE NEST, I AM IMMEDIATELY IMMERSED IN HOW JOYFUL CHILDREN ARE, NO MATTER WHERE THEY ARE COMING FROM.

- THÉRÈSE, INT’L NESTER

The Nests o er early practice for democratic life where responsibility and freedom are continually tested and balanced. Drawing from a strong constructivist pedagogy, the Nests give children freedom to explore, negotiate, collaborate, and cultivate their passions.

Each Nest is outfitted with open-ended learning materials that inspire curiosity, invention, and creative expression. For children who have been separated from the familiarity of home, the opportunity to be autonomous, make decisions, and play freely within a safe and supportive social environment is a significant restorative experience.

The backbone of the Nest is our people. In addition to full-time local teachers, our Nests in Greece and Mexico rely on two types of volunteers, International Nesters and Local Nesters, all of whom are trained by PILAglobal in trauma-informed practices and pedagogy.

MY FAVORITE THING IS THE MUTUAL LEARNING THAT HAPPENS. I LEARN SO MUCH FROM THE CHIL DREN. I LOVE HEARING THEIR DREAMS, IDEAS AND WATCHING THEM ROLE PLAY THEIR STORIES– THEY ARE INCREDIBLE ACTORS!

- WALTER, LOCAL NESTER

International Nesters — teachers from around the world, with knowledge and expertise in children’s developmental and psycho-social needs.

Local Nesters — individuals who live in the communities we serve. With first-hand knowledge of the values, culture, and language of the children, Local Nesters help keep our program culturally sensitive and responsive.

The Nest’s low-cost model is highly sustainable and scalable. With each new Nest launch, PILA covers initial material and building costs and works with the local community to develop a context-appropriate program. Each Nest is maintained, in part, by the community of Nesters. Ongoing collaboration with local partners ensures our program is responsive to the particular needs of the community over the long term.

THE NEST PROVIDES CHILDREN WITH A ROUTINE, SECURITY AND STRUCTURE IN THE MIDST OF SO MUCH UNCERTAINTY. IT GIVES THEM SILENCE AND TRANQUILITY AND A SPACE WHERE THEY CAN SHARE THEIR IDEAS AND FEELINGS. IT’S A SPACE WHERE THEY ARE SEEN, HEARD AND GET TO KNOW OTHER SIDES OF THEMSELVES THROUGH THEIR CLASSMATES.

- VANESSA, TEACHER AT CANYON NEST

Image: 1-3 Images

Text: Description / 2021 Update (200-275 words)

C AN YON N EST

TH E RIG HT TO L EA RN A ND PL AY S A FE LY

Violence, climate change, rising poverty, and COVID-19 are forcing thousands of people from northern Central America, Haiti, and other places in crisis to flee their homes. Many, including unaccompanied children, have undertaken a dangerous journey to the United States southern border to ask for asylum; in 2021, arrests by the Border Patrol soared to the highest levels ever recorded.

But as U.S. immigration policies are more strictly enforced, thousands of migrant children are awaiting asylum in Tijuana for days, weeks, or even months. During this time, for a number of reasons, most children are not enrolled in the local public schools. As a result, children will fall further behind in their education and social development.

Located in Cañón de Alacrán, a rough and craggy valley that butts up to the U.S. border wall, Canyon Nest provides daily, trauma-informed education to 100 children (ages 3-10) from a nearby migrant shelter where over 850 asylum seekers live together awaiting resettlement.

At the Nest, every child has opportunities to play, discover and learn. The Nest o ers grade level content so children

are not falling behind during this disruptive time in their education. With the consistency, stability, and continuity of warm and nurturing relationships provided by the highly qualified teachers, Canyon Nest is tending to the academic and emotional needs of our students. Children come to Canyon Nest after experiencing long, frightening and traumatic journeys. They arrive with a great deal of confusion, not only about their current living conditions but also about the home and loved ones they have left behind. Their sense of loss is palpable. Nest teachers support the children through deep and intentional listening, helping them gain confidence in themselves as active community members and competent students.

THE DROP-IN PROGRAM

To accommodate the increasing number of children at Canyon Nest, we have partnered with UNICEF to create a Drop-in program. The Drop-in Nest provides education and play opportunities to 25 children ages 3-10 who are in transit and therefore stay at the shelter for a shorter period of time.

Canyon Nest is a community hub where parents and children gather to learn, play and grow.

Text: Description / 2021 Update (200-275 words)

FORGING HEALTHY CONNECTIONS WITH CHILDREN

Raising children is challenging even in the best of circumstances. Raising children in the context of a shelter, far from extended family and friends, presents a range of additional issues, danger and trauma that can be overwhelming for parents who are struggling to deal with their own fear and uncertainty about their family’s future.

The Canyon Nest provides a relaxing and confidential space where parents have the opportunity to learn and enhance responsive parenting techniques in ongoing weekly parent education classes. These skills are critical considering the high levels of tension and stress experienced by migrant parents, often impacting their

Taught by Glenda Linares, a certified trauma-informed parent educator, in the parenting class, moms and dads reflect on their own childhood and make a conscious decision to use less punitive parenting practices; this helps caretakers build connections with their children. The parents share that they are more loving and kind after attending the class. They are also more attuned to their children’s experience and allow more space for them to be children. As a result, since starting the parenting program, cases of child abuse at the nearby shelter have been nearly eradicated. Parents are reporting stronger relationships with their children and better strategies for handling the day-to-day stresses of living in an

THE PARENTING CLASSES HAVE BEEN A GREAT SUPPORT FOR ME AND MY FAMILY. THEY HELP ME STAY CALM IN MOMENTS OF STRESS. BEFORE COMING TO CLASS I WOULD YELL AT MY CHILDREN A LOT. NOW I REMEMBER TO BREATHE AND HELP SEE WHAT MY CHILDREN ARE NEEDING. SINCE WE STARTED GOING TO THE CLASSES I FEEL MORE CONNECTED TO MY FAMILY. I GET NOW THAT IT’S NOT THEIR FAULT THEY ARE HERE, THAT WE’RE ALL DOING OUR BEST AND IT’S NOT EASY. WHEN WE LEAVE THE NEST AND THE PARENTING CLASS WE ARE ALWAYS HAPPIER AND A LITTLE LIGHTER.

-MARTHA, MOTHER OF 3 CHILDREN AGES 3, 7 AND 12

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Text: Description / 2021 Update (200-275 words)

NES T CENTRI T O 3 2

PART NER S HI P WIT H UNICE F

Nest Centrito 32 is a mobile classroom that serves infants, toddlers, and their parents in six shelters across Tijuana.

In partnership with UNICEF and Centro 32, Nest Centrito 32 o ers opportunities for babies and toddlers to play with their parents in the safety of a retrofitted school bus designed specifically for children ages 0-3. Sta ed by early childhood teachers and parent educators, parents learn about their children’s development and how they can best support their growth.

NES T NO RTE

A REFUGE WHERE

CHILDREN

CAN BE CHILDREN

Nest Norte is a peaceful, child-centered space where 2- to 7-year-olds can relax and play while their parents seek legal counsel at Al Otro Lado, an NGO located just minutes from the San Ysidro Port of Entry in Tijuana, Mexico.

To ease the burden of childcare on parents while they meet with immigration lawyers, Nest Norte provides a safe, supportive environment where children are protected from adult conversations in which past violence against them may be retold. Out of earshot of their parent’s attorney consultations, the children can do what all children have the right to do –play and enjoy childhood.

In addition to welcoming children, Nest Norte also provides a safe and private space where caregivers and new parents can take parenting classes, replenish supplies for their families and have some downtime away from their challenging living conditions.

NEST NORTE IS A PLACE WHERE CHILDREN CAN FORGET THEIR PROBLEMS AND FOCUS ON PLAYING. FOR MIGRANT CHILDREN WHO COME WITH A HEAVY EMOTIONAL LOAD, IT IS IDEAL THAT WE HAVE THIS SPACE TO TRANSMIT LOVE TO THEM AND PEACE TO THEIR LIVES.

- ARACELI, LOCAL NESTER

Mark Bradford working with students from Escola d’Art de Menorca, 2021

©Mark Bradford | Courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth

NES T PAR TNER S PO TLIGH T

ARTIST MARK BRADFORD AND HAUSER & WIRTH

In June of 2021, PILAglobal partnered with Hauser & Wirth and LA-based artist Mark Bradford to expand the art programs at our Nests in Tijuana and Athens.

At each Nest, a dedicated art teacher introduces the children and their parents to a variety of materials including paint, pastels, light and shadow, fabrication, photography and textiles. Working alongside warm and nurturing art teachers, children attending the Nests have opportunities to be creative, tell their stories and heal in the process of creating art.

The new Art Resource Library at our Tijuana and Athens Nests give children access to the inspiration that comes from other artists. Looking through images made by artists of di erent eras serves as a launch pad for children to explore their own unique internal imagery.

ART IS MAGICAL AND HELPS US HEAL. YOUNG CHILDREN WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED TRAUMA LEARN TO DISASSOCIATE FROM THEIR BODIES IN ORDER TO SURVIVE. THIS CAN LEAD TO TROUBLE WITH SELF REGULATION AND SELF CONTROL, MAKING IT HARD TO MAKE NEW FRIENDS, SIT FOR CIRCLE TIME OR WAIT IN LINE TO WASH HANDS. WE SEE THIS WITH SOME OF THE CHILDREN IN OUR CARE AT CANYON NEST AND WE HAVE SEEN THE IMPACT THAT ART CAN HAVE IN HELPING TO HEAL AND RESTORE THE MIND-BODY CONNECTION.

-GLENDA LINARES, DIRECTOR OF CANYON NEST

MEXICO -- CANYON NEST

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Text: Description / 2021 Update (200-275 words)

NES T ATHEN S

CHOICE, VOICE AND COLLABORATION

Since 2018, when PILAglobal opened a Nest on the Greek Island of Lesvos, Greek authorities have slowly been moving thousands of refugees from the eastern Aegean islands to the mainland capital of Athens as part of e orts to improve conditions in overcrowded island camps.

For newly arriving refugee and migrant children in Athens, as well as those who’ve been in mainland camps for many months and years, life is intensely di cult. Access to Greek schools is limited for the youngest refugees, many of whom are vulnerable children who have fled conflict in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria.

To provide constructive learning opportunities and a safe space for refugee children to learn and grow, PILAglobal opened Nest Athens in 2021.

In partnership with the nonprofit organizations Carry The Future and Action For Education, Nest Athens o ers children a beautiful, educational space where they can safely do what all children have the right to do—PLAY.

THE WORK AT NEST ATHENS MEANS THAT WE ARE ALL HUMANS WITH RIGHTS AND POSSIBILITIES TO LEARN, GROW AND BUILD OUR FUTURES. THE NEST OFFERS REFUGEE FAMILIES A SAFE PLACE TO SPEND TIME WITH THEIR CHILDREN PLAYING, PRACTICING THE ARTS AND LEARNING LANGUAGES. IT GIVES THEM HOPE FOR A BETTER FUTURE.

-DANIELE BISESTI, NEST ATHENS COORDINATOR

NES T ZIMBABWE

INSPIRING CURIOSITY, INVENTIVENESS AND INTELLECTUAL RISK-TAKING

In Mbare, the first township established in Harare, Zimbabwe, access to early education is a critical component to the promotion of healthy development in orphaned and vulnerable children. Poverty and the persistent challenges that come with food insecurity prevent many children from attending school. PILAglobal has partnered with locally-based NGO, I AM Zimbabwe Trust, to build Nest Zimbabwe, a beautiful preschool for 60 children ages 3-5.

Located at the I AM Mbare School for Orphans and Vulnerable Children, Nest Zimbabwe is equipped with engaging materials that spark a sense of curiosity, enchantment, and wonder. The children, who are served two meals a day, delight in learning about themselves and the world around them through the serious business of play.

IT IS A RIGHT FOR EVERY CHILD, REGARDLESS OF HIS OR HER BACKGROUND OR STATUS, TO ACQUIRE EDUCATION. AT NEST ZIMBABWE WE ARE HAPPY TO OFFER FREE QUALITY EDUCATION TO ORPHANS AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN IN MBARE.

-MARGARET, TEACHER AT NEST ZIMBABWE

Image: 1-3 Images

Text: Description / 2021 Update (200-275 words)

NES T CONG O

Early education is critical for the children in Mumosho, Eastern DR Congo, where many are orphans or are unattended while their parents struggle to provide for their families. Often older siblings are charged with the care of the youngest family members, making it impossible for them to attend school themselves. Having a classroom where the youngest children are intellectually and socially engaged, fed, and cared for is an important systemic step in healing this war-ravaged country.

In response to this need, PILAglobal partnered with Action Kivu and The Dillon Henry Foundation in May 2019 to build three preschool classrooms at Congo Peace School. We call them “The Nests”. The addition of a preschool to CPS enables 84 children ages 4-6 to attend school daily where they play with safe, appropriate materials, eat two meals and develop the dispositions needed to stop the cycle of violence and mistreatment of girls that plague their nation.

Peaceful conflict resolution, respect for others and self begins early. Nest Congo provides young Congolese children, both boys and girls, opportunities to develop their own positive voice with which they can eventually shape a just and civil nation.

NEST CONGO IS EQUITY IN PRACTICE AS IT PROVIDES QUALITY EDUCATION TO VULNERABLE AND WAR-AFFECTED CHILDREN LIVING IN EXTREME POVERTY. BY PROMOTING INDEPENDENCE AND FREEDOM IN THE LEARNING PROCESS– AS OPPOSED TO FORCING CHILDREN TO MEMORIZE FACTS– THE NEST ALLOWS CHILDREN TO TAKE INITIATIVE, THINK CRITICALLY AND PREPARES THEM TO BE LEADERS.

-AMANI

MATABARO TOM, FOUNDER OF CONGO PEACE SCHOOL

IMPACT BY THE NUMBERS

4,000+

children served worldwide

4

3 countries continents we’re working in spanning

43,680 nest congo serves meals annually

1

2021 ~500 nest athens & canyon nest young cultivatedartists at

MOBILE NEST ON THE MOVE serving 6 shelters 4 days a week

nest zimbabwe celebrated its first graduating class

625 № of participants in parenting program

115 CHILDREN PROVIDED WITH WARM CLOTHING

SUPPORTERS COMMITTED TO THE PILAGLOBAL MISSION

2,000+

IT TAKES A VILLAGE

LEADERSHIP GIFTS, SPONSORS & PARTNERS MAKE IT POSSIBLE

Action for Education

Action Kivu

Aida Garcia-Toledo

Al Otro Lado

Alexandra Peters

Alexia Monti

Alise Ivey

Angela Dyborn

Ann Donahue

Baby 2 Baby

Barbara Chantry

BelleAnn Baker

Bob Baker

Bruce & Judith Stern

Capital Group

Carl & Roberta Deutsch Foundation

Carlthorp School

Carry the Future

Cassidy Preschool

Centro 32

Chantal Spanicciati

Charles Fanning

Choose Love

Christa Schenker

Crossroads School

Dale & Julie Yahnke

Donna and Gary Freedman

EPW & Family Foundation

Erica Fisher

Evergreen Community School

Fairy Dust Teaching

Florence Lemle

Gary Saltz Foundation

Gillian Wynn

Glen Irani

Harriet Zaretsky

Hauser & Wirth

Heather Haaga

I am Zimbabwe Trust

Jaime Jacobs-Rossfeld

James Hernandez

James Pipher

Janis Horn

Jessica Frazier

Jim & Carmen Ward

Joan Blatt

Joe Weissert

John Keker

John Nimmo

Judith Munzig

Judith Ra el

Judy Veerman

Kaitie O’Brien

Karen Sulzberger

Kate Feldman

Keni & Carol Kent

Krishna & Robert Daly

Laila Taslimi

Lauren Shafer

Leonard Lipman

Linda Howard

Luisa Donati

Marcie Feldman

Margot Tishler

Maria-Elena Kolovos

Maria-Elena Perales

Matt Karlsen

Melanie Green

Melanie Greenberg

Meridee Moore

Myrna & Steve Greenberg

Nan Zaitlen

Nico Sanders

Nina & Mitchell Quaranta

One Happy Family

Patricia Finkel

Peggy Bradley

Pooja & Tom Hollenberg

Rick Fourie

Robert Van Nest

Roshni Khemlani

Ruth Segal

Sally Haughey

Sara Gilliam

Sarah Street Everist

Sharif Farag

Sharon Ivey

Stanford Medicine

Susan Harris Mackay

Susan Ochshorn

Susan Saltz

Tatyana Wexler

Thérèse O'Neill

Tina & George Kolovos

UNICEF

Valarie Kaur & Sharat Raju

Velvet Hammerschmidt

Wunderled

Zanley Galton

Leadership Team

Lindsay Weissert CEO

lindsay @pi la gl ob a l.o rg

Monika Whitfield Managing Director monika @pi la gl ob a l.o rg

Glenda Linares Director of Global Programs glenda @pi la gl ob a l.o rg

Thérèse O’Neill Volunteer Chair therese @pi la gl ob a l.o rg

Kaitie O’Brien

Pedagogical Chair

Board of Directors

Thérèse O’Neill Board Chair

Lindsay Weissert CEO

Maria-Elena Kolovos Secretary

Adriana Taboada Treasurer

Kaitie O’Brien Member

Shona Sen Member

FAREWELL ALISE

After 8 years of dedicated service and continual growth, Founder and Executive Director Alise Shafer Ivey has stepped down from her role with PILAglobal and is entering into a new chapter of retirement with her husband and PILAglobal volunteer extraordinaire, Tom Ivey.

With a tremendous debt of love and gratitude we o er both Alise and Tom the very best as they embark on their new journey.

We are deeply grateful to our community for your generous support. Thank y ou to those who contribu ted to PILAglobal and supported other Nest fundraising initiatives that keep our Nests

financially healthy; empower us to develop new facilities and programs; and help us support the communities we serve.

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN CONTRIBUTING TO THE PILAGLOBAL COMMUNITY? CONTACT US TO FIND OUT HOW:

INVESTMENTS

Lindsay Weissert, CEO lindsay@pilaglobal.org

VOLUNTEERS

Thérèse O’Neill, Volunteer Chair/Board Chair therese@pilaglobal.org

GENERAL INQURIES

Monika Whitfield, Managing Director monika@pilaglobal.org

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