Youth In Action (YIA)- A World Where Youth Hold the Power

Youth In Action is located in Providence, Rhode Island and is an organization geared towards young people and their pathways to success. This organization has helped youth to feel empowerment within his or her community along within themselves.  Social change is the main focal point of the nonprofit organization, Youth In Action (YIA). In the article, several YIA members share stories of how they fought for their voices to be heard and how being apart of Youth In Action changed to way they voiced their opinions and helped them be heard. Adeola Oredola, the former executive director of YIA and author of A Word Where Youth Hold the Power, discusses how it is up to youth to let their voices be heard in society and that they musty stand up for themselves as well as work together in order to make social change a reality in society. As the article goes on, different former YIA members talk about their experiences in YIA along with problems that they face in society because they are underprivileged in some way, shape, or form.  Reading the stories of those who are currently or formerly involved in this organization is truly inspiring.  In the article, Diana Jacques the community health coordinator, class of 2013, states, "I like that I'm part of a place where there are so many different opinions. The trust, respect, and openness make us stronger".  This statement opened my eyes on how YIA is a place that helps youth to better understand the world.  Jacques began to explain how in the area of Providence there are young teens who are becoming pregnant or are parents.  She began to state how Providence has one of the highest repeat teen birth rates in the country, which is something I definitely did not know or was aware of.  Having teens talk to other teens help for a better understanding especially in this topic.  There are some families who forbid even discussing the topic leaving the teens to learn elsewhere and thankfully YIA is able to provide that knowledge which I really find inspiring.  

     In the next part of the article, social change is still a big factor, however, the LGBTQ youth community is discussed, in particular youth of Southeast Asian dissent. Social change along with advocacy for the Southeast Asian LGBTQ youth is important because as youth workers, it is important to let youth discuss their individual struggles and issues and work with them on how to go about solving these problems and find solutions to help them be comfortable with who they really are. 

SRA Class of 2012

     In the final part of the article, social change continues to be the main focus, however, youth organizations are trying to establish a National Student Bill of Rights that would give a solid education to all youth across the United States, no matter their race, gender, or class.

SRA Eucharistic Ministry

Throughout my teen years, along with younger years, I attended catholic school from prekindergarten until 12th grade.  I am very thankful for both my mom and grandparents for providing this opportunity and supporting me over the years.  Being in a small catholic school setting not many controversial topics were discussed.  But if there is one thing I really appreciated most about my school was how we made going on "retreats" a yearly requirement.  We, as a class, were able to support one another, share life stories and feel the support that some of us did not receive at home. When reading about YIA it reminded me about Saint Rays, how my class made it a priority to tell our teachers how we wanted our retreats because we knew being able to voice how we individually felt was the best way to move forward in our high school career.  

Blog #1- Characteristics of a Youth Worker

Youth Workers and their practices

Youth work is an educational practice

Being a youth worker creates an open opportunity to build both an open and trusting relationships with the youth in his or her educational practice.  With being primarily educators, the settings mainly consist of being diverse which establishes an informal education and learning.  Having this informal education helps youth to think creatively, focusing on their personal and social development.  As a youth worker we are able to engage with the youth in his or her personal lives allowing them to think, feel and have a sense of their views in the social world around them.  Over the past few years working in an after school setting I face this almost everyday.  I have not only created a bond with youth but have used the informal practice presented.  Giving youth the opportunity to think creatively and embrace it is truly amazing.

Youth work is a social practice

A youth workers approach when working with youth in a social practice is ‘case work’.  When working with youth in a group setting consisting of his or her peers. Youth feel comfortable with his or her peers because he or she may have something in common which makes its easier for them to engage in conversation.  An experience that I have had with working with the youth is when playing outside.  Each age group has groups of children who are more comfortable with each other, such as having similar interest or a common hobby.

                               Youth workers actively challenge inequality along with working towards social justice

As a youth worker we are to help empower the youth and show them that they do have a voice when it comes to a social setting.  Our society is made of up diversity and unfortunately discrimination is an underlining factor.  Teaching youth how to effectively defend what he or she believes in in our society whether it is in regards to race, beliefs or any other social aspect.  A personal experience that I have is having a speaker come to my high school to discuss bullying and how to not bully one another.  This opened our eyes as youth because we were taught that no matter what that we have a voice in any situation.

Where possible, young people choose to be involved

Youth become involved when and where they feel most comfortable. Engaging is a major key when working with youth. In a youth setting, having a youth worker who is actively involved and engaged with the youth creates a safe and comfortable environment for him or her.  An example from a personal observation is having a youth worker who is not engaging with the youth such as being on his or her phone.  Not having a youth worker who is engaged fully completely changes the setting for the environment.

  Youth work seeks to strengthen the voice and influence of young people

Everyone deserves to have a voice in this world.  Youth deserve to have people, such as youth workers, to guide in the right direction and to listen to their voices.  Not many people in our society fully understand the concept of who has a voice.  Youth workers are to help the youth with evolving his or her beliefs, making them gain power within not only themselves but also in the way they portray themselves as well.  Two years ago I had the pleasure of working in the Central Falls community for Youth Development 250 and cannot be more grateful for that experience.  Being able to watch young kids feel so deeply about the world surrounding them along with being able to voice how they were feeling was truly amazing.  No ones voice is unheard.

Youth work is a welfare practice

When working with youth it is all about ‘testing out the waters’.  As a youth worker we always strive for what is best for the young people we work with, such as making sure his or her voice heard.  Nothing is ever perfect especially our practices, sometimes we are unsure of how something is going to go and it doesn’t go as planned.  Youth in our society is always changing, just as our very own world.  In welfare practice, a youth worker must keep the stability of creating and using new ideas to help youth around us.  Creating different activities for the children in the after school program is definitely either a pass or fail, sometimes the activity isn’t quite for that age range, which has happened on some occasions.  In that instinct as a youth worker you just have to step back and regroup for the next time.

  Youth work works with young people ‘holistically ’

Positive influences and support systems for youth help to influence positive experiences for them.  As a youth work we are not only to teach, engage and support, but to make sure the youth are doing the best that he or she can without any negative consequences.

Who Am I?

Hi my name is Gianna DeMedeiros I am 22 years old and am in my "super senior year" of Rhode Island College. My major is Youth Development and my concentration is "youth within the arts" in which I am very passionate about.  Along with going to school and working three jobs, teaching assistant at HBS after school, lead teacher at a daycare, and cashier at supermarket, family and friends always remain extremely important to me.  

Two family members who I truly admire are my Mimi and Papa.  My Mimi is my go to shopping guru, support system and my best friend.  My Papa was hardworking, lovable and a complete jokester who was a major part of my life growing up.  Both my grandparents will always be an inspiration in my eyes.

 

 During my spare time I enjoy spending time with my boyfriend, friends, shopping and watching The Office.  My friends and I always randomly decide to take trips to the beach no matter am or pm, hunt for pokemons or even just simply enjoy each others company....until someone thinks of something else spontaneous to do. :-P 

A few highlights of my summer, other than being stuck at work, were definitely receiving a last minute surprise disney trip from my aunt, spontaneous trips with friends and getting to spend relaxing nights at the beach with my boyfriend.

  

Rhode Island College has definitely provided me with both amazing opportunities and has introduced me to some very amazing people, here is many more to come! :)