Youth Development Elevator Speech

 

 

The Youth Development program prepares undergraduate students with a profession in the field of education. It offers a Bachelor's degree with a minor or a concentration and a non-profit studies certificate. It prepares college students beyond the educational field to work with young children, teens and young adults in schools and outside of school. Even though Youth Development focuses on Youth work, there is more to it than just that. I reflected on an article that features remarkable stories of twelve youth workers and their stories. The practices and skills that they faced in the field and their everyday lives as youth workers shows and acknowledges not only what they have seen but what they contribute and provided for other young adults. In an article “In Defense of Youth Work, this is Youth Work: Stories from Practice”paragraph one, what is youth work? It quotes that “a commitment to conversations with young people start from their concerns and within which both youth worker and young person are educated and out of which, opportunities for new learning and experience can be created (This is Youth Work).” This is a crucial step in the context of youth work because it helps the workers understand and build a better understanding and relationship with students and young people everywhere. In other words, this is what Youth Development is all about. Making connections and building a relationship with the youth.

 

One of the stories that Caught my attention in particular is called “I wouldn’t be the person I am today ‘: One young man on why young people need youth clubs.” because when young students go through tough times where they feel isolated and have no one to talk to, they can always count on that one person that will always be there for them to talk to either after school or on school activities. This is where Youth workers come in because we have the ability to do beyond what we learn in the field and become a mentor and guidance for the younger crowd. We get to be a guidance’s and helpers to those around us in the educational field and helping programs which is what being a youth worker is all about.

Second Event #2

I chose to do my second event on the last film series event called "Out in the night: Criminalization of race, Gender Identity, and sexuality." Being the last film of the fall, I felt a difference in the environment. I'm guessing maybe because the last feature movie presentation, the person in charge of the event did not have enough time to prepare it the same as last time. I came in a few minutes after the movie started, but I did so because I brought two of my friends to come and watch it with me. I honestly had a good experience on the previous event that I attendant, therefore I came in the second time, but this time with two more people.

        

       I felt that the previous film that was featured was better put together than this event. Last time I could easily grab a flier of the featured presentation, a snack and a chair to seat. this time, I was not able to do so mostly because the room was full. If the room was not as full as last time then maybe it would have been different but because more people showed up, it got a little crowded and muggy. 

         There should have been a bigger space for me and my friends to sit at the table, but overall, it was still a good film event that featured this group of African American girls who identifies as lesbians and with that came judgment for how they look and for who they truly are. this takes place in the state of New York city where this group of girls was victimized, poorly treated, labeled and taking advantage of because of their appearance and for their sexuality preference.

         

           This also has a connection to the youth development field because it shows the things that young adults and teens faced and go through their everyday lives. No one should be poorly mistreated especially for what they believe in and therefore I believe that it has a lot to do with this field because it teaches you to find yourself within and learn to care for others which is why that as a youth worker it is one of the things that we specialized in doing so for the younger generation and the future of tomorrow.        

Gender and Women's Studies Film Series Event' one

The Gender and Women's Studies Film "Made in LA" It showed remarkable stories of women who are undocumented in the United States and work their way up in Sunny Southern California. It makes me think of how Youth Development helps immigrant parents and their children move forward in life because of public schools and after school programs.

Most immigrants come to this country and take on jobs that others do not find appealing, such as factory and custodial jobs. In the film "Made in LA", it showed the story of three women hoping to find change in their life's by doing campaigns and protesting for the right of Latin workers. They protest to raise the amount of money that they get paid for what they do in garment sweatshops.

With only three dollars an hour, immigrants who work crazy hours protest for change. Therefore when they see their life's and how they are able to change it by taking on jobs with no options, it makes them work hard so that their kids have a better life than they did in the past. This is why that as Youth Workers, we strive for the best in every student no matter the circumstances because as one, we strive for students to move forward and accomplish their goals in life no matter where they come from or what they go through in life.

FILM SERIES EVENT' Fall

RESILIENCE

Watching the Resilience video reminded me of why I decided to join the Youth Development program. Looking back, although school is about learning, it is also about helping kids move forward and creating an open space that will lead them to explore, create and expand their way of thinking. 

                                                      When I think of school, I think of the word "Routine" why? because to students school means waking up in the morning and going to this building that we called school. A place where you sit in a desk, receive homework and receive quizzes and exams. But to myself, who learns everyday more about the Youth Development field, it is more than just a routine, which is what a Youth worker is all about. In a way that it is going to create different programs and ways to involve the younger generation to not only have their voices be heard, but to also bring the best in them, lead them into the right direction for the future and be a guidance for them, which is what it means to me and what I look forward to.         

DEBATES & ELECTIONS

My three questions in regards to this debate

1. 1.     What made Democrats decide on Hilary Clinton as our next president?
   2.     What made Republicans decide on Donald Trump as our next president?
   3.     Is third party still relevant? 

With elections coming up on November 8th, I spoke to a few people about the debates that have been on air. It seems clear to me that these two candidates (shown above) who are running for president are not in good terms with America. I myself am not big on politics, but I do involve a big chunk of my life on social media. This is where I get to hear most of what goes on around the world and the country, not so much on TV though. Because I get to vote this year, for the next president of United States, I know that since I am living in the smallest state of the country, my vote matters, but not as much as if it were to count in a different state such as Florida. Not that no vote matters, because every valet counts, but because I know little of these two presidents, except for the fact that Clinton had an issue with a few emails that were deleted and other illegal stuff, while Trump said inappropriate stuff which were turn to memes, had a small loan of $1 million dollars from his father and had a show back in 2004 on NBC10 called "The Apprentice". I'm not sure.      

 

At one point I thought about voting for the guy running in third

 place "Gary Johnson", but he's too funny and this 

happened https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72zMVsd9MFg    

                                                                       I just don't know.

Context Mapping

"Between now and Thursday, I want you to pay attention to how you feel, and specifically note when you feel safe and when you feel anxious or uneasy. Got it?"

This quote is what Mitch ask Julian to do.  hyperlink: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByJfaDKTvQVvR2dicUg4bUdIUGc/edit

Before meeting with Julian, Mitch needed to understand her feelings.  He did so by asking her to pay attention to her behavior and how she felt. Mitch tells her to look out for ways in which she reacts to things which can potentially help him understand her situation better.

This connects to a context map because it helps to break down the problem of a context and understand a certain situation, in this case, openness. For instance identifying the four different types of identity, which are 

1.     Moratorium: A temporary life event or activity

2.     Foreclosed Identity: A type of crisis that an individual experiences and goes through during the process of a life event

3.     Diffuse Identity: Figuring out who you are as a person

4.     Achieved Identity: Coming to a conclusion, finding one's true sense of self.  

I, myself decided to create my own context map by identifying how I came across the "YDEV" program. I had the decision to join this career with the help of my advisor who helped me solve my crisis as a college student by guiding me through a career path.     

IDEOLOGY HOROSCOPE BLOG 5

MY SIGN 

I IDENTIFIED WITH:

• Critical Youth Development

KEY QUESTIONS: 

• How can adults and youth workers work together to negotiate and make meaning of their worlds?

BELIEFS:

• Teens have important ideas to contribute to the world

ORIENTATION: 

• How youth engage and impact communities and cultures 

CASE STUDY: SEX ED

• Youth and adults work together to develop public role plays about sex and healthy/unhealthy relationships. 

VALUES:

After I took the Ideology Inventory Quiz, I ended up getting a score of 10 for Positive Youth Development, a 14 for Risk, Resilience and Prevention and a 15 for Critical Youth Development. Clearly the last sign won, and for that matter I do agree that I associate more with my final results. My values towards Youth work associates more with the critical Youth Development field because it is something that interest me the most. Even though all three signs engage with the the youth, the sign that I ended up getting associates more with the connection of Youth and adults. Basically I get to guide them in life, connect in a sense where not only my opinion matters, but also their opinions. In a way all three signs have that in common because it focuses on the same views and values. I can be a guidance for them, communicate and help them in a clear and understanding way associated to their point of view and story.      

Nakkula and Toshalis Post

Essential Vocabulary Words 

Cordial
Unburdened 
Theoretical Thinking
Impediment
Transform
Contributors
Development
Construction Identity 
Adolescence
Build  

 

Looking back, anyone who was considered an adult and contributed to my life I look back at as authors. Each one of these people has helped me shaped my life for the better, similar to Nakkula and Toshalis reading who argue that “we do not construct our life stories on our own." For instance, back in third grade when my teacher helped me move forward with my reading skills when she offered to tutor me after school. Or that time in middle school when my guidance counselor helped me reflect on school and life, I cannot forget the time, the school cafeteria lady told me to never give up on my dreams when I decided to try out for cheerleading tryouts back in freshman year of High School, or that other time when both my parents pushed me to do good in school. I will never forget the time I became a transfer student on my third week of senior year in High School and the guidance counselor and a group of students sat with me in a room during lunch and kept me company. That was really caring of them. Moreover, how can I forget the first person who I met on my senior year in High School, the vice principal. He basically did me a favor by asking what I was interested in doing. Once I told him singing has always caught my attention, he signed me up for the orchestra. There I was able to do school concerts, be part of events, become a soprano and perform with the group at graduation. This which I enjoyed a lot as the new student who transferred at the start of their senior year was wonderful and could not have been possible if my orchestra teacher gave me a spot in his class. Other people who influenced me in a positive way is my brother, for helping me with my homework and study and my guidance counselor for guiding me through graduation. My biggest support so far has been the guidance counselors because they have always helped me build and develop my education path every step of the way. From their collaborative and constructive criticism to plans, it has been wonderful. This is something that as a youth worker it relates, connects and contributes to because it leads, support and encourages youth in the field. It also helps students find themselves for who they truly are and lead them the right way.          

BLOG POST #4

                                                                      Be Color Brave
Looking back at the TED talk video, "Color blind or Color Brave," the spokes person emphasizes on the fact that the color of a person's skin has always been labeled as a race. The issue came across on Hobson's TED Talk video, when she mentioned how in reality the only race that should really matter, is the human race. The way a person looks, should never be the reason or the blame of the color of their skin. People should never be victimized because of it. The idea should never be based on where a person comes from or if they happened to look like a type of race or culture. This is recognize as discrimination and it is something that stops diversity from becoming a positive thing. The color of your skin and where you come from should never be the reason as to why you never got a job position or "achieving the highest level possible." The meaning behind color brave is to never leave a child behind and to always be the bigger person and change the views on these types of issues. Looking back, when I was younger this was a subject in school that was never addressed. Even though my school had a very strong diverse environment, students were always involved in school activities and even teachers all came from different cultures (not that it matters). Possibly during the school year, students bullied other students because of their accents or not having the ability to speak fully English. One time during lunch, a student was bullied because he knew little to no English. Kids happened to bully him and when he tried to talked, he would get mocked on because of he's strong accent and inability to speak English. Other times kids got bully because of their broken English. I never understood others stupidity or stood up, I was the shy kid. Other times people would bully one another for fun so it sorta made other students afraid to speak their minds or even do anything about it. This is where YIA, the organization comes in handy because it features a community where kids are allowed to speak their minds and share great thoughts. A community and a safe environment where leadership and change can happen. Sometimes schools lack on what is important, bullies, and that can be huge issue for schools because of where you come from, the color of your skin or  inability.

                      

Blog Post #2

How does "YIA" resonate with my own experiences as a youth worker? 

 "YIA," an organization designed to support and encourage the youth. It helps students and young adults become leaders and show their great potential. Moreover, this organization recognizes how important it is to challenge and provide students with the resource and attention that they need to move forward in life. Opinions matter, therefore it is important to count and listen to everyone's opinion which is what the organization for YIA does. "it's critical for young people to be at the center of change in every community," therefore the YIA organization created a place where young people are allowed to voice their opinions. 
  This relates to my experience as a Youth Worker because I get to involved around the younger crowd and participate as a mentor and a listener. Youth workers are there to help students and younger generation every step of the way. They are there to help them further their education and be active listeners to what they have to say, that way we can further provide help to their needs and help students and young people create their own paths with their own voices. For instance during school hours and after school hours. In a way, YIA explains how everyone voices do matter and how school systems are controlling and treating students as kids without having them express their opinion or give in to thoughts their opinions. Therefore the organization is their to provide an open space for students to let their voices be heard. 
  In the YIA article, "A world where youth hold the power" it states how "Each young person in my community represents some of the negative and some of the positive statistics surrounding our schools and neighborhoods." This quote relates to what a youth worker is all about because instead of labeling the bad, it focuses on a whole and what triggers the society of tomorrow.           

BLOG POST #1

Youth Work in an Educational Practice: Youth workers can be a great benefit to educational practice everywhere because as second teachers they are trained up to date with what goes on in school, the activities and ways that can help a student find his or her greater self. In a way, both youth workers and educators can relate to each other and connect in a sense that can be great beneficial through schools and curriculums, as well as reinforce and implement better ideas for the classroom.  

Youth Work in a Social Practice: This can go towards more of a case worker and fall under managing and other personal reasonings, such as students relationship, behavior, values and more. This can relate to several of the volunteering hours during schools that I've done in the past, where I had to mentor along with my classmates a group of students in Middle School. There we did ice breakers and became listeners to what the had to say. This helped as a social platform for many students and for us college students as well.    

Inequality and Work Towards Social Justice:  Over the years diversity has become to be something huge not just in schools, but around the world. As youth workers it is our job that in schools no child is left behind, therefore barriers should never be overlooked nor a person's culture. With this being said, being open minded and more acceptance of things to an instinct should be an important key factor. This way it can be more empowering in a way that can help understand others in a social setting.

Young People Getting Involved:  Whether young students find themselves in the classroom or sitting at the school cafeteria table after school, once they are involved, it can be a great way for them to express themselves and open their creativity to a whole new level. No matter if it's in the classroom or after school, it is a way for students to work on their personal growth and development of their school years and learning.  

Voice of the Youth: As Youth Workers, we influence in a way that can help students express themselves and we do so by letting them express themselves through the arts, maybe a hobby that they would like to do or simply listening to what they have to say because everyone is entitled to their opinions. Therefore because we worked we kids we are empowering them to do great things in life and be greater communicators so that they can be the voice of tomorrow.

Youth Work is a Welfare Practice: While Youth workers work to find problems around their community and schools, youth workers are there to promote the good and spread positivity. They make sure to coordinate programs as well as run them and possibly advocate issues that students might be facing which is always a good thing because that way it can get them aware of things as well as target the problem and help overcome it.

Youth Work working with Young People "Holistically":  As youth workers, we are not there to label or target audiences. They work to focus and define problems that students are being faced and therefore the work is mostly focused on the social justice policy which we go back to on practice #3. Because there may be different problems and issues being faced with students, it is important to look at it as a whole and not as just one.  

About Me

Hobbies : Pokemon Go