This article discusses a program that was created to develop urban youth. The program was established by the Minnesota 4-H youth developmental program in 2003. There was also a very descriptive explanation of what the word “urban” means and how individuals may misinterpret its meaning. The program was established to help minorities to develop skills to overcome economic, educational, and social barriers. Urban develop in today’s society has not been a huge focus, but reading this article illustrates that there are some individuals who still care about the development of youth. What is urban 4-H Youth Development? Urban 4-H is a cultural responsive, community based practice that encourages family, youth, engagement, which is navigated by …show more content…
Through this instruction these individuals are preparing themselves for the achievement of a secondary education or preparation for the work force. The program models include: community engagement, embedded signature curricula, adult leader support systems and youth- driven clubs. The program community –engagement model meets the needs of youth and ensures that it is validated through community culture in youth motivation. The program also identifies their interest and value as it connects the two through community learning. The method could prove to be beneficial to groups who have no sense of historical cognition of their community or culture. In the development of effective community engagement four principles are mentioned to aid in the decisions of creating a cultural responsive program and this all plays a vital role in the developmental process in culture. Embedded signature curricula involve a multitude of individuals, to use specific curriculum to merge the concepts of learning, leadership, and global citizenship in their organization and impact in vital issues. Through the implementation of a multitude of approaches in a informal setting. The lessons and learning approaches will peek their interest and allow them to set education goals to thrive in diverse …show more content…
Research suggests that several key factors determine the longevity of efforts (Hayes, 2002).The first practice of program stability is a clear vision of achievement. Rather than reacting to situations as it occurs, a clear understanding of outcomes anchors a project to a firm foundation. The second is partner and community support. By themselves, adolescence is less likely to sustain an effort, but true partnerships can fill in gaps of experience, resources, or expertise. The third is a core group of at least three youth committed to the vision and who can attend consistently, becoming the leaven of the program’s growth, and ultimately its sustainability. The fourth component of program sustainability is the opportunity for increasing challenge for the youth—something to aspire to next, once they have mastered the content, experience, or skills at
Living the Drama by David J. Harding is a text which draws on many sociological theories that are presently relevant to the lives of many individuals. Particularly this compilation of personal accounts and theoretical connections textbook focuses on the role of neighborhood and community’s effect on the lives of present day boys. The book provides real life examples are given to demonstrate two key topics being cultural heterogeneity and collective efficacy. In neighborhoods collective efficacy is relevant regardless of the racial or socioeconomic make up of the area, as it comprises the neighborhoods trust and cohesion with shared expectations of control, which in response determines the public order of that community. In these communities we then find cultural heterogeneity, which is defined as the existence of a myriad of competing and conflicting cultural models. Cultural Heterogeneity, according to Harding, is greater in disadvantaged neighborhoods especially in relation to the topic of academic ambitions and career aspirations of adolescents in these areas. Youth and juveniles are heavily effected by the collective efficacy of an area which determines how may different social models and norms there are in the area or neighborhood in question. In Living the Drama, examples are given which indicate that higher collective efficacy would likely result in less cultural heterogeneity. This relationship between the two theories Is important as it effects the collective leadership, direction and social norms of an area and plays a role in the success or failure of the youth from that specific neighborhood.
Cornerstone Youth Center provides a place for kids ages twelve to eighteen to hang out after school. On any day of the week there are approximately thirty to thirty-five students attending the center. The students appear to be from low socioeconomic status. Also, some of the students have learning disabilities or behavioral problems, which lead them to perform poorly in school.
Instead of helping, the public housing programs further concentrated the African-American community and “those who remained in the ghetto tended to become more distant” (Anderson), having access to an adequate education, resources required to obtain jobs, and also lacking protection under the law as violence grew daily amongst its inhabitants. Since “Socialization is the way in which people learn the norms and values found in their society, develop social skills, and participate in societal roles that will be continued throughout their lifetime” (Koepke)the “economic and social isolation emerged from the ghetto” (Hart)and in a sense cut its members off from the “real”
Often times I find myself reminiscing about my child hood. I recall driving throughout the prominent metro Detroit neighborhood in which I grew up, Rosedale Park. See in those days my community was a gem which shone bright toward the edification of the Motor City. On streets like Piedmont, Grandville, Stahelin and Artesian one could drive by almost at any time and see children outside playing, adults on porches and sidewalks fellowshipping, and houses abounding with vibrant lights, laughter, and with life. This was my community; moreover, this was a facet of my adolescence that I ignorantly took for granted. Today desolation has grown sovereign over this beautiful gem. Today the sounds of laughter have all but faded into a resounding restless silence. One could even say that abandoned houses and boarded doors and windows have become indigenous, not only to Rosedale Park, but to every part of the metro Detroit area. However, one thing has remained constant; Rosedale Park, no rather Detroit as a whole is still my community.
...g of the struggle of poverty and subsequent educational barriers. Though extremely grateful for all of the privilege in my life, it was difficult to realize my fortune until working with the teens at RYP who often do not have two parents, have limited adult influences, and live below the poverty line, making education an afterthought. From the perspective of a tutor and mentor, the educational support that the teens require is unquestionable, just like the injustices they face daily. Through service, not only does one gain perspective into the needs of the local community, but also insight into systemic issues of racism, poverty, crime, education and more. By participating in service and trying to counteract the sources of need for others, one will undoubtedly change their perspective of the framework question, knowing that the very least one should help others.
...s between those who are “at risk” with teachers, pastors, and officers of the law. The construction of the bond is essential. The neighborhoods youth understanding their teachers, principles, and law enforcement officials have their best interests at heart, allows for these individuals to recognize they can accomplish any goal they set. Once a foundation, is built amongst the schools, city officials can address other areas of concern in these neighborhoods. For example, establishing a “community development plan” with local residents to earn an income while demolishing abandoned buildings within these communities. Providing developmental land for these neighborhood. Each step is necessary, however without a solid foundation with emphasis on youth and education, areas such as these will continue to witness large amounts of crime and the depletion of their community.
"Building Partnerships to Revitalize America's Neighborhoods." HBCU Central (Winter 2002): 1-6. Winter 2002. Web. 2 May 2012.
– “Toward a Blueprint for Youth: Making Positive Youth Development a National Priority,” U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
The programs that would be provided by our youth center would improve our town in many ways. Smallville is failing as a city because it cannot attract new residents. The town is dying because most of its citizens are elderly; they will soon pass away. The population is decreasing as older citizens die or are sent to nursing homes and no new residents replace them. According to the 1990 Census, the population of Smallville has decreased by nearly 3,000 people in the last ten years. Of the 11,194 people that are left, nearly forty percent are over the age of fifty-five.
Stephens, Gene. "Community Programs Can Help Youths." Opposing Viewpoints: America's Youth. Ed. Roman Espejo. San Diego: Green haven Press, 2003. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Western Governors University. 30 Sep. 2009
The learning environment connects the classroom to the community through a democratic approach. This community based learning brings the world into the classroom so students can implement social change and challenge social inequalities. The curriculum focuses on student experience and taking social action on real problems such as hunger, violence, and discrimination. It is important to instruct students to explore in group settings so they can work together to analyze and develop theories that can help each other and make a real different in the world. As a future educator, it is important to not only to teach my students the issues in our world, but how we can work together to find
Ginsburg, Kenneth R., et al. "Enhancing Their Likelihood for a Positive Future: The Perspective of Inner-City Youth." Pediatrics 109.6 (2002): 1136. Academic Search Elite. Web. 2 Dec. 2013.
I think community engagement is an important tool in steering the community as a whole in the right direction. This could be influence from outside organizations, which have specified knowledge in the issues concerning the community. An example could be governmental practitioners involving the community in new policy making or in decision-making in their area (State Government Victoria, 2013). There is the idea that encouraging the youth to participate in community engagement is vital to achieving long-term success, especially within rural areas (Place & Ricketts, 2009). This could be done by involving them in community functions and decision-making processes. Community engagement has its bad sides however. One who is ready to step up and lead within these functions and decision making processes must be of strong mind, willing to be engaged at all times from their peers and judged for taking action. Dealing with your community can cause a lot of your personal life and work life overlapping each other making it hard to switch off from your role as a leader outside of work. This could be a hard concept for some young leaders looking to step into community engagement (Place & Ricketts,
Horwitz and John (2012) described youth development as an approach that both institutions and programs take when working with youth and a set of characteristics that youth might embody. Further Horwitz and John agreed for the need of development in a range of skills and competencies that youth need to become healthy and successful adults
The summer program I used to complete my observation hours for the course of the summer was a youth development program offered in Dawsonville, GA. called Next Generation. and their mission is to provide an opportunity for positive youth development as well as access to resources and opportunities many children otherwise don’t have access to. They aim to use this program to provide mentoring for the youth, tutoring for afterschool assignments, and offer many opportunities as a prevention program to the advancement of vulnerable youth. Next Generation is open year-round for students, and have a smaller program available for the summer. This is a youth program whose mission isn’t to “repair” the youth that are not excelling in academics, participating