{"id":22343,"date":"2018-04-26T14:39:32","date_gmt":"2018-04-26T14:39:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.challengedetroit.org\/?p=22343"},"modified":"2018-04-26T14:39:32","modified_gmt":"2018-04-26T14:39:32","slug":"importance-of-engaging-detroits-youth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.challengedetroit.org\/blog\/importance-of-engaging-detroits-youth\/","title":{"rendered":"Engaging Detroit&#8217;s Youth"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"attachment_22434\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22434\" class=\"wp-image-22434 size-medium\" src=\"http:\/\/www.challengedetroit.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/IMG_2804-300x208.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"208\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.challengedetroit.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/IMG_2804-300x208.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.challengedetroit.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/IMG_2804-1024x711.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.challengedetroit.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/IMG_2804-768x533.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-22434\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>Partial mural painted in a K-8 school.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n<p>Volunteering opportunities are abundant in the city of Detroit. While there are so many great causes and organizations to support, and all that are deserving of resources and recognition, I would like to note the<strong> importance of serving the Detroit youth through academic and socioemotional supports<\/strong>.<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>This is very close to my heart.\u00a0 I studied psychology and history at the University of Michigan where I learned about social systems, socioemotional support, youth development, and worked on several research projects and student groups to put mental health strategies and challenging social systems in practice. I then went on to work a couple years with City Year Detroit, an education-focused nonprofit.\u00a0 I worked in two Detroit elementary-middle schools where I implemented and oversaw programming for academic, behavior, and attendance supports for students grades third through eighth.\u00a0 This experience fueled my passion for <em>serving, empowering and advocating for Detroit youth<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<style>\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 33%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-22343 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.challengedetroit.org\/blog\/importance-of-engaging-detroits-youth\/img_2339\/'><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.challengedetroit.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/IMG_2339-e1524697773183-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-22436\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-22436'>\n\t\t\t\tBlack History Books &amp; Breakfast event. \n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.challengedetroit.org\/blog\/importance-of-engaging-detroits-youth\/img_2806\/'><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.challengedetroit.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/IMG_2806-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-22435\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-22435'>\n\t\t\t\tOne of several murals painted in a K-8 Detroit school.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.challengedetroit.org\/blog\/importance-of-engaging-detroits-youth\/img_2278\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.challengedetroit.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/IMG_2278-e1524697804191-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-22437\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-22437'>\n\t\t\t\tVIP Education &amp; Career event and panel for students.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>So why is it important to support Detroit youth? The youth will always be the next generation of great leaders (and arguably, <em>they are not only our future leaders, but they are society&#8217;s leaders now<\/em>).\u00a0 Supporting positive growth will help these brilliant and innovative young people reach their highest potential.\u00a0 There are also many reasons why, for issues of social justice, we should be supporting urban students.\u00a0 All children deserve the same treatment and opportunities.\u00a0 Unfortunately, that\u2019s just not reality for suburban vs urban schools and neighborhoods.\u00a0 A whole book could be written on this topic, in fact there&#8217;s countless reading on the state of education in Detroit. <strong>Bottom line, to create equitable opportunities for youth everywhere, we need to bolster support in Detroit.<\/strong><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_22362\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22362\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-22362\" src=\"http:\/\/www.challengedetroit.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/IMG_3860-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.challengedetroit.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/IMG_3860-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.challengedetroit.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/IMG_3860-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.challengedetroit.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/IMG_3860-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-22362\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>One of the many notes (and one of my favorites) from a student: qualitative evidence of impact.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n<p>The students I worked with taught me many lessons in how to best engage youth (and many other life lessons, stories for another time).<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><strong>1.<\/strong>\u00a0<strong> Be honest.<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 Kids and teenagers can detect authenticity (and the lack thereof) from a mile away.\u00a0 Be aware of your identity and privilege as well as the space you&#8217;re walking into. Be yourself and don\u2019t change who you are or your background to try to relate or up your \u201ccool factor\u201d. It doesn\u2019t work, and it won\u2019t help foster any relationships.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><strong>2.\u00a0 Check yourself at the door.<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 Remember the priority is on the kids; don\u2019t bring baggage into it.\u00a0 Let go of what is going on in the day, all the things on the to do list, and any stress and just be present with the kids. Drop the notion of &#8220;saving&#8221; the kids.\u00a0 Regardless of the various circumstances in which the students may be living, they are strong, resilient humans that don&#8217;t need a superhero.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><strong>3. Two ears, one mouth.<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 A mentor of mine told me this: we are given two ears and one mouth, it\u2019s clear which we are supposed to use more.\u00a0 Sure, you will be talking with kids, but listen first and listen often.\u00a0 Step back and let the kids show up where they are. Empower their stories, dreams, and goals. Active listening is the heart of empathy and will flourish relationships.<\/p>\n<p>A few organizations with youth volunteer opportunities:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong> Downtown Boxing Gym<\/strong> &#8211; <em>&#8220;Education Changes Everything: Since 2007 we have been teaching kids in Detroit\u2019s toughest neighborhoods valuable life lessons &#8211; inside and outside the classroom and the boxing ring.&#8221;\u00a0<\/em>Mentoring and event support volunteer<a href=\"https:\/\/downtownyouthboxing.org\/volunteer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> opportunities here.<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>826Michigan<\/strong> &#8211;<em>&#8220;826michigan inspires school-aged students to write confidently and skillfully with the help of adult volunteers in their communities.&#8221; <\/em>Tutoring volunteer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.826michigan.org\/get-involved\/volunteer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">opportunities here.<\/a><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/li>\n<li><strong>Coalition on Temporary Shelter (COTS)<\/strong> &#8211; <em>&#8220;COTS\u00a0is one of the largest providers of hous\u00ading to home\u00adless fam\u00adi\u00adlies in the City of Detroit \u2014 shel\u00adter\u00ading more than 100 home\u00adless chil\u00addren night\u00adly.\u00a0COTS pro\u00advides emer\u00adgen\u00adcy shel\u00adter for fam\u00adi\u00adlies, sup\u00adport\u00adive ser\u00advices, mobil\u00adi\u00adty coach\u00ading through our Pass\u00adport to Self-Suf\u00adfi\u00adcien\u00adcy\u2122, child care, long-term hous\u00ading and safe tran\u00adsi\u00adtion\u00adal hous\u00ading for fam\u00adi\u00adlies.&#8221;<\/em> Childcare volunteering <a href=\"http:\/\/cotsdetroit.wixsite.com\/cotsdetroit2015\/volunteer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">opportunities here<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Want more options? Go to <strong>Volunteer Match<\/strong> and search by Detroit under &#8220;Children &amp; Youth&#8221; Causes.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.volunteermatch.org\/search\/index.jsp?r=msa&amp;categories=22&amp;l=Detroit%2C+MI%2C+USA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a0Link here<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Thanks for reading &#8211; and if you aren&#8217;t already involved with youth, I hope you spend some time listening to young people.\u00a0 They have amazing things to say.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Volunteering opportunities are abundant in the city of Detroit. While there are so many great causes and organizations to support, and all that are deserving of resources and recognition, I would like to note the importance of serving the Detroit youth through academic and socioemotional supports.\u00a0This is very close to my heart.\u00a0 I studied psychology [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":124,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14,1,31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22343","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-givedetroit","category-uncategorized","category-volunteer"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.challengedetroit.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22343","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.challengedetroit.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.challengedetroit.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.challengedetroit.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/124"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.challengedetroit.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22343"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.challengedetroit.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22343\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.challengedetroit.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22343"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.challengedetroit.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22343"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.challengedetroit.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22343"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}