Blog event about going to Delsesto Middle School

PASA and Gina Raimondo

I went to DelSesto Middle School to represent Youth Development with my class. We prepared our elevator speech about what this field is about, so that we could explain to Governor Raimondo what we do, and how that connects with the work that PASA does with the after school program. We toured the middle school building where we got to see kids interacting with one another, and at one point helping one another. PASA is an incredible after school program which provides students the opportunity to explore their likes and dislikes, and even inspiring them to think about what they aspire to be as they get older.

In the article A world where youth hold the power, there are many stories that tell us about how people have grown to find their voices in Youth In Action. This is pretty much the same thing with the after school program PASA. Many young people attend these after school programs to either try something new, and or to understand their likes and dislikes as a unique individual. PASA is place for kids to be in safe, nonjudgmental environment where they are free to be who they are. In This is Youth Work: Stories from Practice on page 42, Youth workers/mentors, especially in PASA, looks for and embraces the in built possibilities of young people. If a child is having difficulty learning how to do something, they are not told to try something else, but they are helped and encouraged to keep trying only because it is new to them.

The tour was absolutely incredible and gave me the opportunity to see what my soon to be job will be like. I enjoyed being a part of the team, and as we entered the rooms of the after school programs, I got to see how much fun the kids were having. For example, kids were crocheting, hip hop dancing, making stress balls, and movies out of play figures. The goal was to present the importance of these after school programs to Governor Raimondo, and it was a success. I learned that programs like these reach to higher power to prove its needed existence. This event definitely helped to give me an idea of how passionate I should be when representing an organization, especially when it is a nonprofit.

Attended event: Christ Temple Church Youth Service

Christ Temple Church Youth Service

This was my first time ever being in charge of putting together the youth service at my church. My pastor allowed me to gain more time to make sure that this event was correctly done. My goal was to have our own youth see what other kids their own age are doing for the Lord, and to know that it's a cool thing. I often find that some kids are ashamed of their faith and think it's not cool to be God's friend, so my goal was to reveal that their are kids just like them who love God openly, which is a beautiful thing. 

Praise Dance Selection

There were many youth singing theirs hearts out to God, there was a praise dance, a skit, and more. The fellowship among the people was amazingly powerful and made an impact on those in the building. My sister and I led the service, and we also had some guest churches participate. The sense of community was heartwarming and had such a beautiful atmosphere in the presence of God. 

Our guests and church members ;)

Wood, Westwood, and Thompson stated that youth workers increasingly engage with young people in a variety of settings where they are compelled to attend (Pg. 4). I realized that through this event, I made connections with other youth ministries, which also helped me to put this event together at my church. I read a quote in a reading titled A world where youth hold the power, and it stated "It's critical for young people to be at the center of change in every community". This event gave our youth a moment to exemplify their lives changed through God, and their positive lifestyles. Many adults were happy and inspired to see this through our youth.
 Me being a Youth Development Major has helped me to see the greater picture with our youth. I see potential and strength in the youth at my church. Doing this event has inspired me and started a flame within me that is set on committing to mentoring the youth at my church, especially through the Sunday school where I am an assistant. As they grow older, I want them to know that I am here for them. It was through this event that I learned about using the connections I have to reach a goal, and to know that fellowship is important for our youth. I am so blessed to have experienced such a powerful night!

Blog #9

What is Youth Development?

How does this new text help you explain this major and what you have chosen as your academic career?

This text has helped me to answer by confirming the idea I had learned about Youth Development through the course. I learned that it is not so much about focusing on helping a child make a positive transition, but it's about focusing on the present situation and guiding the child to make better choices to improve. Overall, this course has helped prepare me to understand the Youth Development more, and helped me to understand that my job goes far beyond just helping kids, but it's about mentoring them to see far beyond where they think they will be...to see the bigger opportunities they can have.

This is how I would answer:

Youth Development is far more than just working with young people, but it's about positively guiding them into their highest aspirations. We youth workers go far beyond leading the youth,but we lead with them, providing them the chance to step into their own leadership positions. We help them to see what they are absolutely capable of when it comes to being a shining light in the darkness. We are mentors and we also build respectful relationships with our youth to support them throughout their independent growth as a young person entering adulthood.