New Terrain in Youth Development

 SJYD

    Social Justice Youth Development helps youth become aware of institutions and systemic forces play a role in their life. In the reading I read a quote that said, 

"This awareness that life is not predetermined is the first step toward changing these

conditions, and taking control over our fate. However, people can only truly

“know” that they can exercise control over their existence by directly engaging the

conditions that shape their lives."(p. 87).

I appreciated this quote because I believe it is extremely important to help the youth understand that they are in control of their lives and that these barriers can be overcome. Youth have a powerful voice and through forming alliances with peers who want similar changes to be made and similar messages to be heard they can make their voices that much louder. With the help of adult allies they can even further their ability to get their voices heard. 

I do not agree that if a youth is considered "at risk" that, that is the problem and the solution lies within them. I believe the youth has the ability to pave their own path, of course, but the youth is not the "problem" nor is focusing on fixing that "problem" the solution. I also do not like the term "at risk". Every youth is capable, able to learn, and has a purpose and every youth's voice matters. 

Social Justice Youth Development does not look at them as an individual but instead looks through an institutional point of view. Therefor the solution lies in fixing the problems within a school system, community, or state level. The youth have the ability to fight for new policies to then be made that can help better their education and their surroundings in hopes that it will give other youth better outlets.  

I Know What I believe

 I KNOW WHAT I BELIEVE: Using Theory to Prepare Youth Workers

 

"Through a commitment to social justice, a deliberate practice of care, and a vision of learning in community, we prepare quality youth workers who are ready to lead with youth to make a better world" (p. 3)

I chose this quote because as a youth worker I believe it is important to respect the youth and give them a voice. Each and every youth deserves the right to be heard and take control of their lives with helpful caring adults that support them and their well being.

"These ideologies are not pure or fixed — a philosophy can grow, change and develop over time — and many youth development organizations reflect multiple ideologies across distinct programs or initiatives." (p. 6).

I also chose this quote because, I believe our philosophies grow as we gain more experience. I am not the same youth worker I was a year ago and I'm sure I won't be the same as I am now. The more experience gained working with the youth will better our philosophies can develop. By supporting the youth in having a voice and being heard we learn more about what kinds of support our youth need and how every youth is different.

"I thought sports were for people who could grit through the pain, and come out on top.  This wrestling program is so different.”

I chose this quote for a few different reasons.

1. I can relate to this quote on a personal experience level. Growing up I thought sports were a place where you left your problems at the door, pulled your hair back, and got to work and any problems unrelated to the sport were to be forgotten. Although, as a high school coach I want my team to bring focus and their full 100% to practice and games with them, I still pay attention what is going on in their lives. I make it a point to ask them about their lives and how they are doing mentally and physically. As both an athlete and coach I know how easy it is to over work our minds and bodies until we eventually burn out. I also know that somethings are hard to leave outside the door and as a coach it is important to remind our athletes that we are there to support them both on and off the court.

2. The second reason I chose this quote is because I think the amount of pressure on a student athlete can often be to much. They are told again and again that they are a student and they are an athlete. But never reminded that they are still human. I was an athlete for most of my life and besides the golf coach I had in high school I can not recall having a coach that asked me how I was doing outside of the sport and I went through some really hard times mentally during those seasons. I suffered from an eating disorder and depression due to my birth father walking out of my life and was dealing with an abusive relationship.

3. My flip side to this is that sports is what got me through all my hard times. Although no one knew what was going on in my personal life I had 3 different chosen families. Everyone was always pushing each other to be their absolute best and never let you give less than you were capable of. This taught me that I can make it through anything.

This all shaped me into the person and youth worker I am today. I made a decision to always make sure the youth around me know that their voices are valid and that they are not alone. I decided I would be the coach / youth worker that would make it clear that I support my youth both on and off the court. Wether they need someone to remind them that they always have someone to go to or they need support in school or they want help learning a new skill.

Marcus

  SEEING MARCUS

    In the classroom Marcus's teacher understands that he has a difficult time staying attentive. She gives him the space he needs. When he walks away from a lesson she does not yell at him or get frustrates him but instead gives him support when he is ready to come back. She has spaces for children where they can take breaks when they do not want to be part of the lesson like a break desk and a buddy room. 

    Marcus tends to have a hard time staying engaged and focused. His teacher gives him one on one attention when time allows for it and he is ready to receive it. This one on one time helps Marcus stay focused on the task in front of him. 

    During a counseling session with Marcus and his mom his mom expresses her feelings of Marcus not being involved enough and the difference between him at home and in school. His mom makes it clear that he is loved and supported at home and may not be getting that same support at school. Marcus's mom was willing to take any help and tips she could get to support her son even more. 

Marcus's teacher understands that he wants and enjoys being heard. To encourage him to be heard and use his voice to participate she offers students the opportunity to read a poster to the class. When Marcus raised his hand to read the poster she of course chose him and helped him read through the poster. By doing this she was seeing Marcus and what he needed at that time and helping him get what he needed in a positive way. 

    The narrator talks about making sure Marcus knows you are proud of him. Positive reinforcement  is so important for younger children. Reinforcing that they make you proud when they behave nicely and show they are trying encourages them to keep doing well. If a child is only ever yelled at the child will then begin looking for any form of attention including negative attention.  

 ALL ABOUT ME

My Name: KELSEY

MAJOR: Youth Development 

WHY? I truly have a passion for the youth. I love watching them succeed and being a support system for the youth. I believe every child has the ability to succeed and just needs the proper support systems to do so. 

    I currently work at a residential behavioral school for boys. These boys are  some of the brightest children I have ever met. One of the kids in my dorm can fix anything you hand him just with some tape , a screw driver and glue. Another one can name every greek god and goddess. I enjoy the time I get to spend learning from these boys wether it be their difficult moments where they need care and support or their great moments where they are all smiles. 

    I also work at a nutrition club, New Rhode Nutrition, where I am an independent herbalife distributor and I will be buying this club from my up-line in the near future! I am very excited to own my own business. 

More About Me

    I love to be active. I think that is part of why I love working with the youth so much. They have so much energy and it keeps me on my toes! I am also very passionate about nutrition. 

SPORTS: I played basketball my whole life up until college. While in college I coached a high school basketball team for two years as well as two recreational teams for 4 years. I played golf and ran cross country in high school as well. I only ever picked up a golf club for the first time my freshman year of high school and let me tell you, I was terrible!! As bad as I was though my coach never gave up on me and by my senior year I earned MVP of an all boys team, that was pretty cool. I continued to play for RIC for 4 years. I also love snowboarding and have been on a board since I was 3 years old. Learned how to wakeboard when I was 7. 

FUN FACTS

    I'm not sure if I have any really fun facts but let's see. I go to the gym at least 4x a week because it is the only thing that keeps me calm in all the chaos we are surrounded with. I like the gym because I get to push myself and really see what I am capable of. I used to be super passionate about becoming a model, I even had an interview at a huge modeling agency but I got a call for a coaching position interview at the high school on the exact same day and I chose coaching over modeling. I would love to give it another try but I think I have to many tattoos. I have 8 if you were wondering. My favorite pod cast is Call Her Daddy, mostly because of how confident this women is. 

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    That's all there is to know about me! I mean I'm sure there is more but I can't think of it all.