Last Monday we began our Summer of Service with The Power Project. As the Volunteer Coordinator, I wasn't too involved with the frontline, hands-on interaction with our youth. I was more the background person; the one working behind the scenes to make sure volunteers were prepared to work with our young people.
It wasn't until Monday, June 28th that I actually took a frontline position during program hours. I worked with "Triple S" (Successful Summer Stars), a group of great prodigies with ridiculous amounts of energy. Our first task was to make a map of our block. Ms. Joi, a parent volunteer, had the wonderful idea of going for a walk around the block. We were supposed to first make a map of our neighborhood, make a list of the beautiful aspects of the neighborhood, and then make a list of the aspects that we would like to change. Walking around with our prodigies in tow, I had the opportunity to take some pictures of the block. Juwarn, one of the prodigies, walked with me on our tour. I had instructed him to help me find things that were beautiful that I could photograph. I also had also instructed Japri (another prodigy) to find things that needed changng or fixing of which we could make a mental note. Juwarn happily pointed out beautiful flowers and birds, pretty rocks and the like while Japri excitedly pointed out garbage, graffiti, and abandoned buildings.
After a while, I realized that these young people have a knack fo rbeing able to designate the beautiful from the not so beautiful. They have an incredible ability to be able to take time to appreciate the good from the bad and the ugly. Looking at the world with open eyes, they see what is there; not just what they want to see.
Walking further on our journey, we stopped by a stone gate that was falling apart. "There is something that's ugly!" Japri cried excitedly. Convincing him that trying to break the wall down further probably wasn't the best idea was not an easy feat. When all else fails; offer to take a picture! So that is what I did, I took a picture of Juwarn and Japri beside the dilapidated stone gate. The picture represents not only a need for repair, but a commitment. It represents the commitment of The Power Project as a program to the youth of Reservoir Hill. Young people can be concerned about their community. Young people do have the ability to create change in their environments. Being able to look indiscriminatingly at their neighborhood and then taking that initiative to put the positive and negative on paper takes an openness that many adults don't have.
The resiliency of our prodigies is amazing. Knowing that the support provided by The Power Project will bolster and nurture that resiliency makes me proud to a part of the family at SFNC. I can't wait to see how the seeds that we are planting will foster a spirit of service within our prodigies....
It wasn't until Monday, June 28th that I actually took a frontline position during program hours. I worked with "Triple S" (Successful Summer Stars), a group of great prodigies with ridiculous amounts of energy. Our first task was to make a map of our block. Ms. Joi, a parent volunteer, had the wonderful idea of going for a walk around the block. We were supposed to first make a map of our neighborhood, make a list of the beautiful aspects of the neighborhood, and then make a list of the aspects that we would like to change. Walking around with our prodigies in tow, I had the opportunity to take some pictures of the block. Juwarn, one of the prodigies, walked with me on our tour. I had instructed him to help me find things that were beautiful that I could photograph. I also had also instructed Japri (another prodigy) to find things that needed changng or fixing of which we could make a mental note. Juwarn happily pointed out beautiful flowers and birds, pretty rocks and the like while Japri excitedly pointed out garbage, graffiti, and abandoned buildings.
After a while, I realized that these young people have a knack fo rbeing able to designate the beautiful from the not so beautiful. They have an incredible ability to be able to take time to appreciate the good from the bad and the ugly. Looking at the world with open eyes, they see what is there; not just what they want to see.
Walking further on our journey, we stopped by a stone gate that was falling apart. "There is something that's ugly!" Japri cried excitedly. Convincing him that trying to break the wall down further probably wasn't the best idea was not an easy feat. When all else fails; offer to take a picture! So that is what I did, I took a picture of Juwarn and Japri beside the dilapidated stone gate. The picture represents not only a need for repair, but a commitment. It represents the commitment of The Power Project as a program to the youth of Reservoir Hill. Young people can be concerned about their community. Young people do have the ability to create change in their environments. Being able to look indiscriminatingly at their neighborhood and then taking that initiative to put the positive and negative on paper takes an openness that many adults don't have.
The resiliency of our prodigies is amazing. Knowing that the support provided by The Power Project will bolster and nurture that resiliency makes me proud to a part of the family at SFNC. I can't wait to see how the seeds that we are planting will foster a spirit of service within our prodigies....
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