Kinder Future is an organization that focuses on the support of LGBTQ+ students throughout Southern California. Providing training and liaison services to many school districts since 2014, this organization presented this year at Mission Hills during a staff meeting. They stressed the importance and differences between gender identity, sexuality, gender expression, and much more, whilst addressing current issues with discrimination and marginalization based on these characteristics.
“Kinder Future supports school district efforts to improve school climate and culture and to facilitate positive outcomes for all students. We provide comprehensive LGBTQI+ training for educators and school leadership, gender identity support planning (IDSP), consultation and crisis support, [and] anti-bullying and restorative interventions,” said the founder of Kinder Future, Lindsey Etheridge.
Etheridge and the supporters of Kinder Future strive to teach school staff how to create a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community, and reviews prove this work to be thoroughgoing and comprehensive. Lezya Weglarz, the SMUSD MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support) Coordinator, also solidifies the fact that social and emotional health is an important factor to consider when teaching children to be high-functioning and contributing members of society. She remarks that Kinder Future is doing a great job at improving this factor.

“As a former middle school counselor in our district, I know that in order to reach their full potential, students need support across all areas of wellness. What I love about the professional development our SMUSD staff is receiving through Kinder Future is that they go beyond ‘here are the current issues facing the LGBTQ+ community.’ Kinder Future provides staff with concrete strategies they can use immediately to create welcoming spaces for all and incorporate more inclusive curriculum, language, and literature, ” said Weglarz.
Weglarz also believes that the LGBTQ+ is still facing discrimination, marginalization and harassment; therefore, this work is critically important for all.
Students at MHHS will agree that Kinder Future’s impact on schools has been, is, and will continue to be necessary and amazingly positive.
“I think that the Kinder Future [organization] is a wonderful addition to schools across the state of California and hopefully others in the near future. Having support and a better [environment] for LBGTQ+ kids and other children will help raise them to be more accepting and improve the overall atmosphere of schools,” said freshman Aaliyah Hamideh.
Hamideh agrees that the equity of all students towards stereotypically undermined members of society is extremely important, and Kinder Future has been able to recognize this importance and act on it.

“Over the past several years, I have had the honor of providing direct services to scores of queer students, and now I have the privilege of being able to share what I have learned through that work with other staff through Kinder Future,” Etheridge said.
Kinder Future and many other foundations and organizations constantly do their best to make sure that all students are included and treated with equality. Kinder Future’s goal is to spread the movement throughout the education system. Students across the world, like those at Mission Hills High School, can help by simply embracing peers with compassion regardless of cultural differences.
To learn more, visit the Kinder Future website or contact those at the organization. Showing your support will go a long way, and even the littlest things go a long way.