Blog #4 A sense of belonging

As a immigrant family, my mom worked long hours in a factory. She used public transportation or carpool systems to get to work, which meant she left early and got home late. Leaving a lot of alone time for me after school and I would either be alone or be taken care of by a neighbor who watches a group of kids. I got creative in way of spending my after school time by the time I got into the third grade I got my mom to sign me up for college crusade. As a child of a parent who never learned the language, I advocated for myself and tell my mom about these programs being offered. In middle school I attended Providence After School Alliance and in high school I did Eco youth, Youth pride inc, New Urban Arts and my school offered night school. I would say I found my sense of belonging in after school space, no matter the activity. It was nice to do something with people and to explore new ideas and at the time with out realizing growing as a person. I was challenge to see the world differently and also given safe space to attend gay prom and to walk down the middle of the pride parade. I was accepted for all that I was even if my community made me feel like the odd one out for not getting into trouble or doing other things that could of lead to long consequences. I wouldn’t say I was complete safe from poor choice because I made some mistake but the sense of belonging and safety that after school spaces provided did change my path. 

Blog #3 my values

• PROMPT: Your values are the things that you believe are important in the way you live, in your everyday choices, in your relationships, and in your community. What values are most important to you? Choose five to write about in your blog. (Need some inspiration? Check out this list.)

A CONNECTION: How does this blog work relate to the real world?  Google it.  Find an article, podcast, song, meme, tiktok video, or something in the public eye that relates to this issue or topic.  Post a link to whatever you find and summarize it to make the connection back to the text.  TWO PEOPLE WILL SHARE THESE EACH WEEK

Caring- I think of others and how I impact those who cross my path.I work with love and make sure that I understand your needs even if we have to invent a way to communicate.

Growth - I am not who I once was, I grow every day that 1 am challenged. I grow when I allow all

Forgiveness.- I forgive myself for my mistakes. I so easily forgive others and allow grace but place myself in a mental prison. To free myself, I learned forgiveness.

Love - love is Infinite , it come in many forms and built to be shaped differently for every one

Honesty-with honesty comes acceptance-I am true to myself and can only give that to the world.

We pass down values and also I love poetry.

Introduction from youth work - Post #5

 "youth workers are primarily educators who engage with young people in diverse settings, using different methods and activities to stimulate informal education and learning.” 

As an active participant in youth work, this quote summarized the type of education I have received and given to the community I have worked in. 

New learned ideas is the change we need for good youth worker. The story spoke about two type of youth worker one aligning to the youth interest and coolness and honestly breaking the law just to get this false idea of respect and the other worker had better boundaries and the want to challenge the youth community norms of bad behavior. I found it interesting that it didn’t dismiss and belittle the first worker but rather focused on the impact that both workers had and the longevity of that impact. I have work with workers like the first one and I never thought of this outlook at it. The second idea/ terms I learned is “ distinction between anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive practice.” In the fight for social justice this wording can change the mindset that some of these programs are anti-America.

An example of informal teaching. In this video the staff is having children problem solve and deal with complaints and criticism, that happens with interaction. While also letting them imagine they run a restaurant.