Why do we do what we do?

 "The team assured her that the YD program views switching placements as an opportunity, not a failure." 

In youth work, we often see ourselves as part of the solution. In part, it sometimes feels like we're saving youth; we are working towards helping them, being advocates for students in their situations, helping them hone skills they will use in their lives and communities, and so much more. With the weight of the work we are doing on our backs, often, when things don't work out, we see it as a failure, like we let those students down somehow. However, when this student expressed that this organization wasn't the right fit for her, regardless of the reasons, she wasn't judged or criticized for realizing her newfound interest and wanting to work in that area. Instead, she was supported by the faculty of her program and offered assistance in finding a new internship with an organization that she could be of better value in, and that aligned with the goals and desires that she had in youth work. This is a perfect example of how we should be helping one another in this field and seeing how each of the skills we bring to the table can be an asset in the spaces in which we dwell. 

"Our communities are the playground for learning"- FabNewport video on Website. 

Students are a product of their communities, and their surroundings play a part in who they are and what they can be with positive support. With that said, our community has the ability to teach so much, and aid its youth in being future leaders. As stated in the video, learning lives everywhere, from local libraries holding book camps to VBS events at local churches. Every time a student steps into a space it is an opportunity to add to the roadmap of their life, and that can be in a positive or negative way. This is why it is so important to have CBOs present where youth have spaces to grow, gain skills, interact with adults in a positive way, and have support systems.

"The power of afterschool programs was on full display, and it was clear that these experiences are shaping the future of our communities." - PASA website 

Afterschool programs are such a vital part of the growth of students outside of the classroom. In these programs, students can learn skills they will use in the real world while gaining experience. Here, students can understand aspects of themselves that they wouldn't know in their schools. I love programs like PASA, where hands-on learning is at its core. Students can connect what they are learning in school to real-world concepts. Youth are learning and will soon be the future leaders of our community. This speaks to me a lot because, as someone who identifies with the Positive Youth Development ideology, seeing programs centered on helping students discover interests makes me feel empowered to continue similar work in my community through other means.