Event 2

New Life New Bedford Kids Ministry

This is my first time ever to be able to serve kids ministry at this level with God and teaching his children about faith and God himself.

Our goal is to help children love God and love church!
The team that I am part of for New Life Kids is called Kingdom Kids. The ages range from preschool-kindergarten. Being part of the team is a great experience and empower the little ones and teach them about God at such a young age and to able to help them understand once they get older. We engage these children with bible stories, fun activities and vibrant worship. Within these the preschoolers learn three truths: God made them , God loves them and He wants to be their forever friend. (An example being New Life) Teaching the young children about God and having a relationship with them also helps them with identity. This reminds me of the article by Nakkula and Toshalis   on Identity. 

As the children grow older, I want them to know that I am here for them. Me being part of a team and serving the children I have learned about using connections I have to reach a goal, and to know that fellowship is important for our youth. I am so blessed to have given the opportunity and get the  experience with such wonderful people and serving God and his children.

YDEV

Youth Development

YDEV is a program that focuses on the youth in a variety of context settings. It gives you the opportunity to expand your knowledge and career choices. The program has three different components and avenues: Education, Social Work and Non- Profit Studies. It allows you to work in settings such as administrative, face to face or both which helps to open different opportunities especially within your internship.

According to the article, Youth Development programs "are seeking to improve the lives of children and adolescents by meeting their social needs, physical development and helping them build their competences' to become successful adults." In your final year, you are required to complete 180 hours of your interest of choice. This is a great start especially because it will help you decide what you really want to get into for the future and making yourself mindful and aware of exactly what and where you see yourself as a youth worker.

Currently, Rhode Island College is the ONLY school that is offering Youth Development at the moment. If your the type of person who loves working with the youth but not in a traditional school setting then YDEV, is a program that you would absolutely enjoy and love especially if you love the youth.

Event 1

I attended the open house at Rhode Island College on Saturday, November 12th. It was an exciting event that I got to be apart of. I was representing the YDEV major with Dr.Bogad, and other students. Our responsibilities consumed of introducing ourselves and what was Youth Development and the different avenues that pertained to the major to the new students that may be choosing RIC as their college. When doing these few things it reminded me of the elevator speech when I practiced and learned it in Dr. McKamey's YDEV 250 class.

During the event, I was able to oversee one of my fellow classmates, Ilana which I think she did a wonderful job.  I learned pretty much how to explain how the major and just making it flow and not thinking about it as much just naturally letting it come out. A lot of the students that were coming up to our table seemed a bit confused and didn't really know what Youth Development was and unsure of what they wanted to major in which was normal. I remember being approached by a mother and her daughter, who she was a social worker. She stated that her daughter loved working with children but, didn't want to be a teacher or babysitter. The mother did think that Youth Development would be a good fit for her daughter.

Resilence

Center for Resilience seeks to empower people to empower themselves through the practice of mindfulness which fosters success in the classroom, community and workplace. The Center for Resilience teaches youth about mindfulness and what it means to be mindful in and out of the classrooms. The center also has a resilient kids curriculum which focuses on social and emotional learning. Mindfulness helps reduce toxic stress, enhance concentration and grit and develop self-regulation and compassion.


Watching the videos on the teens stating their testimonies about resilience was very interesting to me. The students were empowered to change the way they act,feel about themselves and the way they are communicating with their peers and teachers. Through the different programs and resources the youth gets it really help them feel good about themselves and are engaging in learning in a positive manner. Center Resilience focuses on giving the students the skills and tools that they may not have so they can apply it to being a leader of the classroom as well as being successful.

As a result of the resilience program the children are able to use positive skills that they have learned to continue with their school day.  After returning back from lunch, recess or other free time children are able to feel empowered and encouraged to redirect themselves.

Activism and the Youth Vote

After reading about Rock the Vote, I think that it is a good idea. Personally, it gives an individual an opportunity to know about the politics and to be able to voice their opinion about the election. It also gives them the opportunity to learn about the different issues that the todays society are facing.  The information on the website is well explained and addresses the issues and concerns that people are having.

What makes me shy from the voting booth is not knowing some of the names and even knowing what they are all about. I do not feel that informed about this years candidates and issues. Many debates have shown the candidates "true colors". It seemed to me that it was more of an argument of who is better and not really about who will improve on the country. This made me unsure if I really wanted to vote or not. I also felt unsure and confused about the candidates.

3 Questions I have for the class regarding the election:

1. Why is it that we have only a two-party system?

2. Who is in charge of funding presidential campaigns?

3. Why is this election more personal than policy?

Nakkula and Toshalis

Identity in Context



Context Mapping is an approach where an individual can talk about their own life experiences. It also is having a different identity in different context settings. An example of this would be is how I would be as a student and how I would be as a professional at my job. Another example is how I used to be a Catholic and I didn't really know much about God, and now I am more towards a Christian knowing more about God and focusing more on the positive then negatives.



When the incident occurred when Julian did graffiti, Mitch asked Julian to list "the various spaces and relationships he is confronted on each day." He started making a list beginning with his family and then his teachers and classes at school. Julian's other task was to write down a list of what he believed each individual and context expected him as a person.


4 Types Of Identity:


1.Foreclosed Identity-  when an individual behaves in a particular manner with little or no experience


2. Diffuse Identity- is when an individual shows they want something in life but, they show no commitment to it.


3.Moratorium Identity- when individuals are in a state of crisis and who show no type of commitment and are exploring roles, behaviors and beliefs.


4. Achieved Identity-when an individual expresses commitment of something they want to achieve in life.

My Context Mapping

 

Ideology Horoscope

After taking the Ideology Test, I was a bit surprised by my results. I have learned that I am towards Critical Youth Development. I remember when I first took this in YDEV 250 I ended up with Positive Youth Development.  The beliefs are based on how teens are the legitimate actors and collaborators who are contributing their ideas to the people they are surrounded by or just the world. Youth are able to engage and impact one another and their own community.

When it comes to me and working with the youth I want to have my values tie in with them and make connections with them. Not only do I want to have an impact on them, but also be impacted by them. I think it is very important for youth to be engaged and share their own ideas/opinion and any contribution to any individual(s). Also, for the youth to have a bright future ahead of them is also important with the support of the people in their life. Friends, family, community can help co-author an individuals life.