Purposeful Play Debrief

Debrief to Purposeful Play

Initially I was not sure about how I felt co directing a purposeful play. Besides instructing dance and working as a paraprofessional I felt that a bit nervous because I am find that I am still figuring out how to teach as a human service worker.  We are not teaching like a standard Elementary or high school teacher. Youth workers are looking to teach a child's development growth in a sense of assisting students handle life's challenges.

I feel that if we worked more with context about youth work in class I would feel more comfortable in creating more purposeful play. I think there is a lack of knowledge spoken in class. In FNED 346 we spoke about each reading that was assigned and that really helped to understand the class expectations we had to understand, such as when we part took in our service learning assignment. 

I think in next semester if we had assignment to create purposeful plays for simple practice and for discussion in class where we could talk about what to add, what to change, what to do with young children, how to approach it with older children. We all will face lessons that do not work so I find that we need more practice because it can help figure out what works and what may not work. 

Addition to Blog Post 12/9/16 Elevator Pitch: For anyone confused about YDEV

Youth Work does not include student teaching requirement, we instead purposefully play with children.

This play is interactive with youth and age appropriate vocabulary 

Youth Work is part social work 

Youth Workers utilize emotional aspects

Youth Workers help students with social skills 

Youth Works act like a service worker to give confidence to students

Youth Workers read to students

Youth Workers can act as a tutor

Youth Workers listen

Youth Workers help children because they care for the future growth of youth

Youth Worker can work in so many places; hospitals, dance programs, coaching athletics, instructing science and math programs

Youth Works reminds me of my mom's comment; find a career that you love so that is does not even feel like work where you can be compensated to support yourself. 

See you soon!

Human Services

Youth work seems to have a long way to grow and I believe that I am still figuring out what youth work is everyday. I believe that is normal because I am at the cusp of my professional work with youth. When we enter any field, we may be sure of something concepts but others such as Youth Work is a concept that takes time to decipher.

In Strengthening Youth Work....
I thought "while youth workers are extremely motivated and committed to the mission of their work, they appear to be seriously affected by extrinsic factors such as compensation and organizational instability." I am aware that we need to be paid to support ourselves so we can buy a home or rent an apartment, buy food and save for the future. Yet, I love working with children, yes they can be a lot to deal with. Regardless, I have learned so much from children such as the children I worked with during time as a paraprofessional in summer school. They were frusrating but that taught me patience, sometimes we have to give and take.

Age....
"Regardless of diversity, some patterns emerge. While some professionals stay in the youth work field, others leave and then years later will come back to the youth field.

Personally, I think it is normal to want to leave work in difference avenues, we have only one life and we should experience all that we can. After taking social work 240 and social work 326 I began to genuinely enjoy the work that social workers do for youth. It made me think of all of the opportunities I could take and how I could grow like that. If I were to stay in one place and work for the same organization I feel that I would get bored. I am finding that I would never be able to keep up with the reading and writing that social work would have to do so acquiring a masters in social work is not in my near future. However, it does not keep me from surrounding myself with people who have a title of a social worker.

In Strengthening Youth Work...
it also states "that youth workers are paid about $25,000 annually along with a lack of healthcare. I know that I want healthcare benefits that I can support myself with. Despite that, I want to enjoy what I do. My mom said " it is all about finding a job that you love performing where it does not feel like you are working."

Historical Development....
First, youth development effects the focus on meeting needs and developing competencies for all youth, not just for the youth who are engaged in problematic behavior or at risk of becoming a part of the problem. When we are young we all need guidance, we are figuring ourselves out. It is a normal time in all youth's life. In our life, we experience so much, good and bad. Some people lose their parents or close friends at a young age and what young person knows how to cope with lose?

Historical Development tells us that youth development model assumes that  all youth must pass through a specific developmental process to become successful adults. We all come in the same way, we experience similar events in our lives, such as loss, frienships, memories, family and stages in our life, such as marriage and college graduation.

This is Youth Work

Chapter: The Power of Graffiti

"Over a couple of weeks that youth workers began to get to know the young people, working to build a climate where they are willing to engage more personally with them." When young people have something to say they may not be able to voice their feelings. Expression through art can be positive as we use color or lack of color, dimensions, shading, texture among other things can explain what someone may be afraid to vocally speak. However, graffiti needs to be positively done, what I mean by positive is the creation should be painted in a space that will not deface property, it can be done a school wall or on a canvas.

"For a week, the youth workers listened to what the kids had to say." A youth worker said "you have two ears and one mouth. Use them in proportion." I think that when people deface a piece of property with graffiti it is telling us that this person is not being heard, this youth worker is right, we can listen we have the physical ability to. When we do listen as a youth worker, youth can in time feel comfortable with this person and maybe in time trust that person. This may be a huge stepping stone because some people come from a world where trusting is not easy due to family members and their actions.

Emma's Core Competencies

Emma’s Core Competencies

For each of the courses you have taken as a part of your YDEV degree (FNED 346, SPED 300, PSYC 230/215, CEP 315, YDEV 352, SWK 240, SWK 320, SWK 324, SWK 325, SWK 326, NPST courses, all concentration courses), how and what have you learned about these Core Competencies?  Be specific about the ideas, theories, texts, and concepts that help you feel knowledgeable in each of these areas.  In what areas do you need more preparation?

Domain #1:

Family, School and Community Relationships (p. 6)

In thinking about family, it is quite important to know the roles of each family member. You need a guardian or parent to give you guidance and siblings act as support systems

This depends on the child, they may need a significant amount of aid so parent or guardian must speak with school professionals

The child receiving services must speak up for when things may not be working or when another approach does work successfully

When relationships such as family ties are positive there can allow for openness that allow communication

Confidentiality can be seen as a social worker assisting a client and keeping names private as it is right to the client

Domain #2:  

Youth Development Curriculum and Program Design (p. 8)

My own childhood allows me to place myself in these youth I am working with so I can attempt to help them in their time of need

Going through my own childhood reminds me that we never grow up in on the inside because of this I enjoy to bring in fun youth oriented activities such as coloring.

Being a learner who is visual I can understand how visuals and hands on activities can aid in learning

Due to my style of learning I can comprehend that not all students learn the same way

Creation of an play or dance or music is a great example to let the students be interactive in the creation. When they are involved they are more motivated.

Domain #3:

Health, Safety and Wellness (p. 12)

Hold awareness of society we live in, such as being aware of social stratification with the “Inequality for All” documentary

The National Association of Social Workers: Code of Ethics: service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence

Dancing helps to improve your mental functioning

Dancing aids in improving your social skills

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/dance-health-benefits

Movement allows for illness like Parkinson's disease to occur less or much later on in life as moving throughout the body keeps chemical, dopamine in balance.

http://neuro.hms.harvard.edu/harvard-mahoney-neuroscience-institute/brain-newsletter/and-brain-series/dancing-and-brain

Danc 215, 216, 110, 112, 114 have all taught me the importance of conditioning your body if dancing is a career you want to pursue; the importance of continuing your dance studies as you grow from all level classes

These classes have a way of putting your body into a healthy physical state that is hard to dedicate to as a student

Domain #4:

Professional Growth and Leadership (p. 14)

Respectful to advisors/ professors

Analytical

Dresses appropriately in more professional events

Works to respect others in their life experiences

Capable of speaking in a child’s level

My level of patience grows each experience of working with children

My sense of voice with young children such as when reading books to them

Other skills you have mastered that don’t fit these categories??  Note them below!

My ability to strike up a conversation at moment’s notice

Organizational skills

Accepting perspective of all kind of learners

My sympathy for other’s situations

Event # 2! Come support the Arts

On the 2nd and 3rd of December the State Ballet of Rhode Island will be performing Coppelia at the Park Theatre in Cranston.  Come support the Arts! 

Performing on stage within this production was amazing. The State Ballet has been in operation for 57 years. The artistic director, Herci Marsden created this ballet company. Ms. Marsden has been teaching for over 45 years. She use to share her craft of teaching at the Unversity of Rhode Island. Alongside Ms. Marsden, is her daughter, Ana Fox. She works as an instructor as well. 

The overall experience of being a part of this production was so worthwhile. I learned choreography in two months, a character style type dancing that I have never been exposed to. It really pushed me to try, to make each moment strong and defined. I do admit I made mistakes but simply breaking that studio door open changed my life for the better. I simply walked in, I did not doubt myself. I just walked in and danced as myself. Exposing myself, being vulnerable was not easy but it was so overwhelming to read the positive response from Ms. Ana Fox. 

While I learned about this new studio and choreography, it gave me the opportunity to help in teach children about a ballet performance. Some children are not blessed with the chance to take a ballet class. The 10am performance was for students from surrounding elementary schools, this performance was for educational purposes. Now these children learned about Coppelia, a humorous story about a whimsical doll. Now it may peak their interest in looking for other stories to learn about. For example, there are stories such as "princess and the pea."

Resilience

Resilience means to have a sense of elasticity or holding a sense of stretch with an ability to revert to its original size. 

When I think of the word resilient, I think of having the ability to keep moving on in life regardless of  the exterior influences; negative or positive. In this perspective I think resilient can relate to the word perseverance which means to never give upon yourself. 

As for the Center For Resilience, I did not know this place existed. 

While viewing these videos on Center for Resilience I had difficulty with loading them. However, I did see the quotes of the people who were assisted by Center for Resilience. The quotes all had a common factor of positivity. 

For example, one said "It makes it a positive classroom culture, where students are learning to care for themselves and care for others." and "It calms me down and relaxes me."

I love what the director envisioned for this center because it went beyond learning in the classroom. She said she wanted to assist student's growth in their character, personalty and well being. I find this to be so respectable because she wants students to do well in school but she also holds an understanding for what a child needs to do well in school. 

A counselor Polanco spoke on behalf student that was exposed to a group of mean girls who influenced her to act like another mean girl. Polanco also saw this student suffer from emotional stress and anxiety. Polanco said that once these mindfulness activities were taught in the classroom, she saw a huge improvement in this student. One mindful activity that was utilized was deep breathing. I thought how simple that is and it made me question its effectiveness. However, I forget to breathe sometimes and when I am stressed and I take myself out of the anxiety provoking equation I take a second to breathe. It makes all the difference. 

This reminds me of working with children who deal with autism. One boy in particular would immediately scream, kick, and cry when something went inaccurately in his mind. Sometimes he needed lunch but he did not want to go inside because he was having so much fun outside. I would have to remind him that he needed food to keep playing and sometimes he would lose his composure and I would help him breathe deeply. I would have to say that I always felt better when I took a deep breathe because that would heightens the chances of him taking a deep breathe. What I remember most is the change in his facial appearance, it would go from terrified like he was being chased by a monster form his closet to a smiley, dimpled relaxed expression. 

These moments were so small in retrospect to life. Yet to my time working with him, they were so huge. Watching his terror was alarming and when I was successful in calming him down, it felt like I won first place in a competition as I felt a huge sense of relief. 

Veterans Day Event 

My grandfather from my dad's side of the family spent time in the war during the second World War. My dad told me that Grampy had dropped out of high school  so he could fight for his country. My mom told me that he was not of the age to even enlist in the war. I remember my mom said, how she could not believe that he left school and then had to go back to graduate. Coming back must have been strange because everything in the world I am sure looked different. I cannot imagine how my grandfather was able feel and function like an average american citizen.

  One day I was given the opportunity to look at photos while I was with family. These pictures were of my grandfather in his Army threads. He looked so serious and somber. I thought about how little I knew about his time in war. Almost four years ago I found out that my other grandfather had been in the war, I was 19 when I learned this. My mom did know that my grandfather was in the service for a little while. However, I discovered he was given an honorable discharge. He looked just like my other grandfather, very somber. I could not believe it, I knew this two men for my whole existence. I thought about how I did not know this until now. There were pictures and documents among the array of his belongings that were placed around the table. In growing up, I thought about how unless I ask I will not find out. My dad said that my grandfather was not one to talk about it and my mom had said the same. I was not as surprised because my grandfather, Grampy D was on the quieter side. 

I thought of this a few days ago, and I found my way to the Social Work Veterans Days thank you. I talked to this really friendly man who said he spent 10 years in the army. He said that all of his recognitions towards his dedication to this country are in a box. He mentioned that because I had said how my grandfather always would joke that his recognitions would be put behind the toilet. This man, who teaches within the Social Work project said that felt his work of helping others by teaching social work. It was so refreshing to hear this even though this conversation lasted only five minutes. He gave ten years of his own time to fight for our country, making sure others were safe. This man was brave enough to share his physical and mental being. 

This conversation reminded me of the book, The Things They Carried as it reminded me of the emotional issues they faced during war, such as worry about losing a fellow army solider and the effects of losing that person post war. They had to worry about living to the next day, it was saddening. They could risk their life for safety of the country yet I could not even imagine enlisting in the army or any other reserves. Some of these men had to deal with PTSD, something that hurt them and would affect others that are around them. Some men could not even sleep because of nightmares that would never go away. At this event put on by the BSW students, many veterans were homeless. It is so frustrating to know that a group of people assisted our country were not given aid by non veterans. If someone helps another person who is in need, this group of people should be given some such of appreciation. 

2016 Political Campgain

 











To be honest I cannot stand either of the presidential candidates. Hilary Clinton may be the first women president but after Bill Clinton's time as president I do not trust author Clinton. My mom has always spoke negatively of the Clintons; I hold respect for what she has said because it holds such value. 


Trump is not someone who I imagined to run for president. However, one statement that has stayed with me was something my mom said. Trump is not a politician, he is business man. 

When I filling out my absentee ballot, I had bit of a difficult time. Trump or Clinton? What I really wanted to do was a write in. I do not believe that Hillary Clinton would be the right first woman. Nor do I care for the negative comments and beliefs about women are fair. Women are equal to men so they deserve the same kind of respect.

Trump has called some women slobs, fat pigs and a bimbo. He also has said "That women are essentially aesctheically pleasing objects." "That a woman must be hot to be a journalist."
These statements are ludicrous. I personally am not a fat pig or a bimbo, I am an intelligent young woman with career intentions. Trump is wrong to say this because woman are more than exterior, for example, Christine Amanpour who is an anchor and chief international correspondent for CNN. She has traveled the world reporting on global issues. Christine Amanpour is not a slob, she is brilliant and successful. 

Hillary Clinton is not perfect as Trump lacks the essence of being perfect. While holding her position as secretary of state, she pretended to have brain damage so she would not have to testify in front of a congressional hearing regarding the assult by militants on the US diplomatic compound in Benghazi and Libya. In this event four Americans were killed. When holding a position from any organization, lying is not a good judge of character. How can someone who lies can be trusted? Politicians do lie, yet this does not help people acquire a new position in politics. In learning her lie in this situation makes my dislike for her quite stronger. 

My question is that, "why can't Michele Obama run for president." I have seen her start such amazing inaitives, such as the importance of physical activity. This is something the nation needs help with. Michele may not be perfect. Despite that, I can see she would have a good sense of character to run our nation. 


The questions I hold for this election are:

1) How will healthcare change?
2) Will women still have their rights, such as the right to vote?
3) Will there still be a high number of illegal immigrants in our country?
4) Will people actually leave America if Trump is elected president?
5)Will Hillary become just the face of nation while Bill Clinton takes the work into his hands?

My Identity

Identity

I made my chart in a word document because I was not sure if it could be done in a blog format. I will have it up once I figure out how to post it.

Stages of Life: Birth To Death

Erickson became fascinated with the social psychology and individual development.
Due to his excitement, he created a cycle of development throughout a person's life; birth to living to death. The first stage is Basic Trust vs. Mistrust is one of the stages of development that a child will face through their life along with contexts, such as the community they live in. I find this level task in infancy of developing a sense of basic trust that one's parent or primary will be adequately nurturing. In reading the stages, the initial level of basic trust and mistrust is quite captivating. In the first few days of a baby's life there are drastic changes. For example, the day my niece Sloan was born. Her eyes were closed and the next day when I came to see her and my sister in the hospital her eyes began to open. Sloan peeked over through the hospital bed with such furious curiosity, simply looking at anything. It was so fascinating observing her in initial days  I remembered discussing with my sister, Sarah about seeing surroundings as a baby. Everything is news, like sounds and colors and noises and peoples voices. One thing Sloan was acutely aware of was clapping, she would blink with a surprised expression. Erikson states that you cannot be in a social context without a sense of identity. From the minute you are born you are given a name, a gender, and physical attributes. For example, the color of your hair, the amount of hair on your head or the lack of hair.

Erickson states that in school we enter fractured landscape of context. I think that it is the same for young development, such as learned things as well as other innate abilities. For example, it was crazy to hold hands with Sloan. Her fingers grasped so strongly and her fingers were so small. While she knew how to grasp, she had to learn how to clap by watching people around her. When we sang songs, we would clap and Sloan would smile and make giggly coo sounds while watching. One day my mom was watching The Chew with Sloan. The show always begins with the boisterous audience clapping, once Sloan heard the upbeat tune and joyous clapping Sloan joined. It was so fascinating because she did not even realize she learned how to clap.

I think that Erickson is right when he says that during adolescence, youth go throw identity confusion. While youth deal with identity issues, babies also deal with identity. Babies are referenced to them by their name but their name is one tiny aspect, they have to sink into their surroundings and who lives around them, who is friendly, who is unkind and who are the people that I am told are family. For example Sloan only knew I was her "Auntie Em" because my sister told her. If Sarah did not tell Sloan her that I was her "Auntie Em", Sloan would not connect me to her mom and Grammie.

Event #1

Almost four years ago I would leave OASIS in tears  multiple times, wishing to be in the Elementary Education Program. Throughout many failed attempts and a mostly completed praxis entrance exam and fear for my future career I ended up declaring a major in Youth Development. Looking back at advising, it was so relaxing to walk into advising this past Wednesday during free period. I thought how I am done with advising for my undergraduate degree.

It is so surreal because I am so close to earning my degree. Its almost hard to believe since I never thought I could earn a college level degree. Looking back, I can see how the severely the repercussions of my disorder hurt me. I mean in the confidence kind of sense, knowing in myself that I could do it. Now a semester and a half away from my degree, its exhilarating and a little sad. Sad in a sense of how time flies so quickly when you in school and enjoying the time growing as a young person.

To tap back into the actual event of advising, I can say that I enjoyed being there. I felt that I was helpful to the younger youth development students. I felt good helping someone else, it seemed like I had not assisted someone in awhile. It made me sad, like when my niece Sloan is upset when she knows Grammie is leaving Sloan's house. However, it did enligten a feeling of want to help another group of people, a group of people that need other sorts of help. It always leaves me with a fuzzy warm feeling.

Week 6

Philosophy of Youth Work

I think that defining Youth Work into 3 subsystems is a positive aid in understanding the kind of ways to approach working with youth. Of the three kinds of youth work, Risk, Resiliency and Prevention, Positive Youth Development and Critical Youth Development there is much room for growth and assistance. However, I do find that there is much underneath all 3 subsystems. Each youth work holds an importance, such as Risk and Resiliency that is looking out to help a group of children that may need guidance to a positive path. While Critical Youth Development seems to look at how situations around us can be improved upon because there is awakes room for improvement.  As for the presence of Positive Youth Development, I am not entirely sure of its importance. 

With the subsystems, the Ideology Horoscope does seem to help a bit. I feel that I do fit under the Critical Youth Development umbrella as I am always thinking on how to work with others where a harmony can be located between all involved. The orientation of Critical youth work is about keeping your group of youth focused on how to make difference in the community. I find that because I like to think of the "why" the "how can this be done" is right behind in my toolbox. It reminds me of the saying "if there is a will, there is a way." This concept of work with youth reminds me the respect given by social work professors, we are allowed to refer to them by their first name. A professor I currently have stated that we are deserve a sense of respect no matter what our degree status is. My professor holds a sense of respect for the class as he can see we are invested in our learning so we can grow as learners. 

One section of the Ideology Inventory that stuck a chord was the part one, the purpose. It asked importance of a supportive space, significance of improvement to build upon skills and talents and how youth should cope to exterior and intrinsic occurrences. I thought of Maslow's hierarchy of needs because the first and most important needs that must be met are basic such as housing, clothing and food. If a group of youth want to make a difference they need a space to gather. Before youth learn to build upon their skills such as talents, they need to have the ability to formulate positive attitudes about themselves and others as well as their physical surroundings. I think that rings true to the maslow's hierarchy because feeling connected to yourself, people around you and your home is so important because it gives you a sense of belongingness. 

The Construction of Adolescence 

In the reading, they explain about a third grade teacher, Danielle. She is seen as a favorite teacher by most students with her high expectations. However, she has been dealing with a student who does not care for her. She said that this student, Antwon has been disrespectful towards her. One part that stuck out was that neither the teacher or student confronted the other person. 



In my short 22 years of life, I have seen how important communication is. The concept of communication becomes even more important as adolescence is such a difficult time in a persons life.   Now in my 20s, I will look back a few years of when I was in my adolescence and gets the shivers. It is such an awkward time because it begins once middle school begins. I remember that middle school was quite strange as I dealt with changes in my environment occurred while my physical and emotional state took quite a turn. I remember the feeling when i realized that I looked and acted different from the other girls in my grade. In my perspective it seemed like I was that weird girl who never wore shorts. Then while dealing my physical state it would affect my emotional state because people thought it was a good opportunity to make fun of me in multiple ways. For example, when people noticed that i was administered modified tests. The comment that I associate with this is "SPED." I get that it is acronym. However, it can have such a negative connotation especially if children hear it. One time I tried to stand up for myself and it failed hopelessly. It was such a defeating moment when other people laughed in agreement. 

Antwon had mentioned that he was dealing with challenges in his peer groups but he kept it from his teacher, Ms. Peterson. When there is something that is bothering a student it can make very negative effects. Socialization between young students and adults is so vital. It is hard to speak to someone who is more experienced in life, it may be imtimidating because a teacher may comes off as un approachable. If Antwon finds Ms. Peterson un approachable then he will not be likely to speak to her when he needs advice in friend situations. Despite that fear of speaking with his teacher, it may help Antwon to see the teacher as a friend in a mentoring sense. Personally, I have a teacher who has been a life long mentor. She has given me great advice that has taken me far as it has been realistic so I can handle challenges in my life. 

Are you Color Bind or Color Brave?

Melody Hobson began her speech with her story of assisting a friend in political campaign. She described their moment of attending an event that would put her friend running in the campaign. When they first arrived they were greeted by white person and took them back down a starkly light hallway, that lead to a dim light room. Hobson remembers the person asking where their uniforms were. While listening to this story, I was shocked. What I found not so appalling was Hobson expression to this encounter. Hobson stated that she grew up in a very blunt atmosphere. Hobson was not surprised as she continued on with stating how her mom believed in the importance of being very truthful.  

Initially, I thought what a strong personality she has. Melody was so bold her making her statements, she did not seem afraid of people making negative remarks at her. She made it clear that to fix an issue you must be comfortable about discussing an uncomfortable subject, we must learn from we did wrong. Hobson said we must face problems like race head on. For example, when I was in preschool my teacher noticed my struggles in cognitive and neural development as I made multiple mistakes and spoke very infrequently. My teacher talked to my parents because she knew whatever problem I had would not go away and my parents along with assistance faced my issue right where it hurt me. Accomplishing activities, such as reading books, reading comprehension questions and speaking in class were not a walk in the park. However, I was pushed by educators to really put my best effort forth so one day in middle school I began to push myself. 

This woman held a strong force of power, she accredits much to her mother who taught her that she could be anything she wants to be.  I think I can accredit myself a sense of power because of the challenges i have faced and passed with flying colors. Hobson and I can relate on our parents as her mom always said she could do anything she wants as long as you work hard for it. My mom and dad said a similar thing. Anything that you want to conquer may be difficult but holds much worth once you conquer your dream.  This speaker brings light that we have all faced difficulty with her personal story. For my life, my mom tried to utilize people that  were well known for their success in their life. For example, people such as Anderson Copper . Anderson Copper is a news anchor for CNN. He dealt with dyslexia as he explained his difficulty. He said how lucky he felt that his diagnosis was caught so early on. This helped as he had grow up in a home where reading and writing held such importance. Copper stated how he felt the need to hide because if other kids knew school would become a place he did not want to be. Copper already had stated that being at school, he would feel isolated simply for the diverse way he learned. Despite that, he said that having teachers who understood or could sympathize for his struggle made all of the difference in finding a drive to work hard. Cooper stated how hard he worked but he said how much he gained from that hard work as he moved past high school to admission into Yale University. 

Hobson reminds me of Robert Reich, who has spent many years working for the government. While Robert Reich held the position of Secretary of Labor during Clinton's time in office, he learned very much about what happened to our worlds economics. Reich found that there was a strong sense of income inequality, where the rich became richer and the poor lost more while the middle class were screwed. While watching the documentary, Inequality for All Reich said the most important thing you have is knowledge. He explained that it was power and he used his power to make the world aware of what kind of inequality U.S. citizens were dealing with. 

In thinking about this group of established citizens, Hobson, Reich, and Anderson Copper I find that knowledge can be powerful in any avenue I pick. I realize that I can speak up and fight for change. Regardless of making change, I am finding that I want to empower myself with my knowledge. In a previous paragraph I mentioned that I deal with a learning disability. In my time in the education system, I have been told negative thins about my future, immediate and far away. That I will never be successful in a career path. Yet, I was able to pass classes in Johnson and Wales baking program that only allows three hundred students per year, pass the reading and writing section of 

the core, where my area of difficulty is and being less than 2 semesters away from graduation. 

Overall, Hobson is right. We need to get past our concerns for how our knowledge is viewed and take chance of speaking about your knowledge as it holds much power. 

Week 3

Youth Work is...Youth In Action

After reading only the first page of the article I was blown away. It was crazy to read about an organization that is solely run by youth. I admire there establishment because they wanted a space where they were not excluded from opportunities. YIA was created in 1997 so that means they have been thriving for 18 years. I hope respect for them as I have leaned in my non profit studies class that a business faces the struggle of staying afloat. How did the group of youth handle the complexity of running the organization while going to school and dealing with the hectic atmosphere of life?


The article continues on by stating that youth are the best kind problem solvers. I honestly had not thought that children can be helpful in solving problems. What I remember most from school was our lack of ability to voice our opinion in issues such the way tests were taken. Every student comes in with a different strengthen, such as some students test well as they have a great ability to memorize. 

However, not every student is like this when testing is involved. Think about students who have documented anxiety that leads to minor anxiety about taking a test. Do you think they would test well? Personally, I have found that it is not successful as I deal with anxiety. Having to memorize important elements of learning to be examined upon is more stressful for me than actual studying or learning. Some students such as myself test better when a teacher asks us questions verbally, we do no have the pencil and test paper staring us down, telling us that something must be written down. Other students find verbal communication for testing as they may deal with a language disorder. I find that speaking about something is much easier than writing something. The ability to form sentence structure is so difficult for the way my brain operates. 

In thinking about problem solving, I found a website that breaks down what problem solving should look like. While skimming the site, I read that children should be a part of the solving process. This reminds me of when I was young and would be frustrated with my homework assignments. My parents would attempt to find way to calm me down. Despite their efforts, sometimes it was in me to clam myself down. To view the situation from outside of myself so I can internally be calm. If children were not a part of the whole cycle, how would they know how to clean up their mess or relocate something they lost. 

In situations like these youth need to be able to hold power to vocalize what they need. For example, this article that is linked describes how a student handles assignments and deadlines. In my personal experience, I was able to find a voice in some parts of my life. When I entered 7th grade i was invited to my PPT meetings, where my parents, educators, and principal would discuss my successes and where I needed improvement and what would be on my Individual Education Plan  for the next year. In 7th grade, it was my first time to speak up and looking back I remember I was scared and weirded out as I was talking about myself. Despite all of those mixtures of feelings, I felt empowered. I had a sense of control, something I had never been able to hold on to. 

One sentence i read stood out so clearly to me. It was a youth who see themselves as powerless then they will see that no change can take place for improvement in our world, and will give up any sort of hope.  An impact of positivty or negativity has such a strong effect on children. The article refers to poverty as being a problem. if that is considered a problem, youth should feel energized to make that change even if it that means slow and steady change. Mark Redmond wrote an article about a camp that brought kids from poverty to a more serene place. He found that using Martin Luther's "I have a dream speech" it assisted in holding a belief for the youth. MLK was also of a smiliar descent as these youth so it was a way for these kids to look up to MLK and his speech. This pushed the youth to think more positvely so they can have a more hope filled life. It seems that this is situation that kids are handed lemons and they have to make the lemonade. We only have one life to live so why wouldn't we live it to the fullest.

In reading Youth Work: preparation in practice I found that I did not feel as enlightened on the message behind this piece of writing. The confusion continued on as I was not sure what were the 7 characteristics of Youth Work. What I catch onto were the topics within the writing, for example educational practice, social practice, social justice, involvement of youth, influence, welfare and the element of holistic.

In thinking about educational practice, youth workers are acting different from a teacher's role. They do instruct but in a "play" kind of way. For example, a youth worker could teach children on how to swim. The group of children would be learning something valuable, however it is something fun and interactive. An establishment such as the YMCA would be a great example of this. Personally, as a child who learned how to swim at the Y, I can say that it was fun to learn how to swim. I was not sitting a classroom on stiff uncomfortable chair being talked with the expectation that I and others will learn something.

I define social practice as an association or organized group of people with a common purpose or common interest. The word social simply means to speak with other people around, more than likely people who hold a similar interest that you hold. This could be a group of people who enjoy working with kids who deal with a disability. For example, the camp Hole In the Wall Gang is a designated space for people to hold a career helping kids have fun in life so they forget they deal with an issue. There mission and statement are...

Our PurposeThe Hole in the Wall Gang Camp is dedicated to providing “a different kind of healing” to seriously ill children and their families throughout the Northeast, free of charge. It’s a community that celebrates the fun, friendship and spirit of childhood, where every kid can “raise a little hell.”

Our GoalTo ensure that every child with a serious medical condition has the chance to experience the world of possibilities that camp has to offer. Through the generosity of others, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp community provides this unique healing experience to kids in need and their families, including those who may not be able to come to Camp.

Another aspect is social justice. Ideally youth workers would aim to assist kids who are excluded by any sort of stereotype or barrier. The article held importance in find a good way to address power that has an imbalance instead of stating what should be said. I think another part that weaves well is convincing youth to be interested in saying something to improve a possible issue. I think the goal is to help youth by showing how an issue such as improving a stereotype that has been said and caused pain. This reminds me of the freedom writers. The character that did help the students was their teacher. However, the teacher acted like a mentor who was willing to listen but be stern when need be. The educator allowed the students to open up by writing in journals. She made this opportunity so the students could write about anything and she allowed it to be confidential or share between the student and teacher. This teacher showed the beauty of learning in an interactive way almost like an youth worker. For example, she utilized field trips where hands on learning occurs. The class went to the holocaust where they learned about history with less than kind people. 

In helping someone, welfare which is all about holding compassion for one another so that person can find guidance. In giving guidance,a holistic nature is vital. Holistic means a whole thing is comprised of many parts so to make change, some areas need improvement while things change it will alter the whole. In the movie, The Freedom Writers, the student felt empowered by this teacher because she believed in them. They found respect for her because she did not talk down upon them but instead made time to get to know them and give them a chance to show that they were smart so they could be something successful.