Our TURN
turning toward.
moving forward.
Experiential and culturally responsive learning for youth and adults; designed to move us forward, together.
Our Mission
Through coaching and facilitation, Our Turn seeks to ensure that marginalized young people and adults thrive in school, have access to the arts and nature, and gain opportunities for leadership in our community. Our Turn builds skills within organizations to confront systemic barriers, develop new practices, and center equity and justice.
Our Impact
Our Turn was founded by licensed educator, artist, activist and outdoor enthusiast Aviva Shannon McClure in 2018. Through adult and youth education, curriculum, staff training, policy development, and transformative justice, we promote better outcomes for historically marginalized populations.
15+
Years Offering Equity training
When transforming our organizations into equitable environments, we begin the process of eradicating disparities that exist. Efforts to center experiences of marginalized populations stretch far beyond establishing a more diverse work force. Avoid changing political mandates by centering data to tell the story of programmatic improvement. Staff & Board training in how to utilize organizational tools, sociocratic governance, and data to promote year-over-year improvement. By mitigating barriers for our service communities we find more equitable outcomes for our neighborhood and our future.
18+
Years data Analytics for Social Justice
In order to move an initiative forward, it is essential to begin by observing the facts. Your team is invited to share your data story with Our Turn, which will lead efforts in collaborative problem solving and attending to impactful organizational improvement. Together we will identify populations experiencing disproportionate outcomes, measuring that disparity, empower community voice and implement research-based best practices. Highlighting institutional impacts in BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and Title IX protected identities is recommended.
20+
years teaching, Administration, and the Arts
With over 20 years of teaching and organizational leadership, Aviva has worked as a teaching artist, K-12 classroom teacher, principal, youth advocate, and artist. With other Our Turn teaching artists and community leaders, our patrons report higher levels of engagement, collaboration and a sense of belonging (see PRESS tab). Diving into work for transformative justice isn’t passive, but a daily process that leads to deeper connection. We can help support your process and while offering the sensitive care that your team’s journey requires.
Now booking 2025-26
Know Thyself: A writing workshop
Mandela Masanii (AnyXMeans) and Aviva McClure (Our Turn) team up to offer a unique virtual writer’s workshop for High School and College students that has the power to unite and inspire. In this session, Mandela will lead you through activities to create safe space to express personal experiences, trauma, adversity, as well as dreams and aspirations. This workshop is available for both youth and adult leaders as showing vulnerability is not a weakness, but actually models how adversity can be a source of of strength.
* By appointment
Our Programs
Our Turn provides a variety of experiential learning activities to meet the needs of your organization. We also offer free consultation to determine which development opportunity would work best for your community’s needs.
Experiential Learning
Learning a developing skill doesn’t have to just exist through power points in an office. Unique learning can be designed specifically for your organization that incorporate the arts, wilderness, learning abroad, and visits to community partners. Contact us for collaboration in designing your experiential learning program!
WORKSHOPS
Our Turn offers group facilitation, in partnership with community based artists, to create space for dynamic youth and adult experiences. Previous topics have included: Bringing Clay into Professional Practice, Plant Energetics, Youth Speak Outs, and Power Up at Portland Art Museum. Check out our workshop tab for current offerings.
Consulting
Our Turn is here to assist your organization through consulting and design of a scope and sequence that meets your organization where you are and helps to usher you to where you’d like to be. The following are examples of our areas of work:
Racial Justice and Embedding Justice Tools
Staff & Board Retreats and Trainings
Development of Strategic Plans and Toolkits
Data Analysis and Generating Reports
Arts and Literature Circles
Parent and Family Engagement
Policy & Bylaws
Arts Integration and Curriculum Planning
Mindful Facilitation
Get Involved
Please check out the ways that you can be involved in this unique learning community.
Sign Up For a Program
Interested in one of our programs? Sign up here and we will follow up with you to offer free consultation or answer any questions you may have.
Volunteer opportunities
Our Turn is interested in creating a volunteer pool of parents, family members, community advocates, students and artists.
Make a Donation
Our Turn can grow with your support. Please consider making a donation that will go directly to youth scholarships for classes and wilderness trips. Thank You!