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Hi Y'all, I'd like to share my volunteering experience....maybe you will be inspired to share some of your time in your own way...
I have been teaching a group of kids how to sew since November. We were scheduled to meet one day a week for two hours. We started from the basics. There was an equal division of kids who really wanted to learn something, and then the kids that just showed up because they had nothing else to do. I weeded out the two groups, kicked out the kids who ran around, kicked out the ones who didn't really want to learn something useful, and had a meeting with the remaining kids. I doubled the hours for the class, as they wanted to spend more time there, and set some new rules. If they were late, don't come. If they were sick, don't come. If they talked on their cell phone, then go home. If they were disruptive, then go home. WOW! What happened next was unbelieveable! The kids who remained, and kept showing up, have a new respect for what I am teaching them, and the one-on-one instruction they get. What I got in return were hugs, smiles, and words of affection such as "Auntie so&so", and big gracious thank-you's at the end of the class. It took 8 months to get there, but so worth it. I wanted to quit teaching so many times, but somehow didin't do so.
These kids are living in what I consider the toughest community on STX. They don't know many people like me, a different skin color from them, but they have learned that whatever they were taught about skin color by someone else is not true. I broke a barrier, a barrier that has been generationally passed down to the kids.
This is where we, as adults, can begin to make the needed change in our communities. Break the chain/cycle of whatever. Hang in there, and know you can make a difference. Know that you will reach the intellect of many kids who aren't given the credit of being able to make their own choices. You will make a difference, try it.
Also, look forward to these kids and what they will be doing. If I can secure a vacant building through HA, you will see these kids products on the market for sale....we have something good going on here!
Find the time to volunteer!
Posted : August 9, 2009 4:22 am
What an inspiring post!
As a Peace Corps Volunteer, I had an incredibly fulfilling experience, and saucey's post reminds me of one of my boyhood heroes growing up in inner city North Philadelphia.
Read about our "Lion of Zion," Rev. Leon Sullivan, at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leon_Sullivan. Rev. Sullivan set up Opportunities Industrialization Centers in my neighborhood, where he installed a number of donated sewing machines and where kids learned to sew and to start making a living.
Do think seriously about volunteering. It may change your life. It may change the lives of others. It certainly changed my life!
Posted : August 9, 2009 5:46 am
I've volunteered almost from the day I got here 27 years ago. Good for you for doing your sewing classes. I'd like to take one! There are volunteer opportunities for just about any skill you might have.
Posted : August 9, 2009 2:00 pm
saucey,
Your experience is a good example of why I am a teacher. I started teaching college because I wanted to play a role in societal change. For me, teaching is the best way because I am more effective than I would be in any other arena. Knowledge truly is power and what you are doing is empowering the children by giving them a glimpse of what else is out there besides what they have seen growing up. Breaking those barriers can give someone a totally new perspective. When I make the permanent move to STX I don't want to find a job I just want to volunteer my time and hopefully I can reach some of those who have "fallen through the cracks".
Lori
Posted : August 9, 2009 2:10 pm
Topic starter
Trade, you are welcome to come! There are adults who are also learning, but maybe not just sewing lessons. Adults who do attend are also there to help the kids. Even if you do not know something fully, what an adult teaches is patience...very much needed...patience affects all aspects of life...
Hope you will join us!
Posted : August 9, 2009 4:10 pm
Aren't you on STX, Saucey?
Posted : August 9, 2009 11:22 pm
Topic starter
Hi Trade,
Yes, on STX. We meet every Monday at the William's Delight Community Center, which is smack in the middle of Main Street, smack in the middle of the projects, smack in the middle of the drug dealing turf... Come on down...bring a friend, expect enlightenment, and expect a good time. I really look forward to having you show, if not this Monday, then maybe another. Expect to stay late, as we all get so involved that time passes so quickly. The only reason we stop is to assure the parents that their kids will be home on time!
Posted : August 10, 2009 3:55 am
Topic starter
I'm disgusted by the majority of the readers out there. There have been 116 views on this post, and only 4 good positive responses. What the hell are the rest of y'all thinking and doing? Just bitching...and like a bunch of uneducated people, peolple who have made it through the "system" but never got a grip on reality. Betty, TRW: SHUT UP! Open your hearts and eyes. Think and write everything like you would expect your grandmothers approval. Get off the keypad, and give something back to the community. Until YOU change, you can't make changes. TRW: I don't give a damn if you are gay, but I DO give a damn when you place judgement on the youth who are succumbed to their parents' reality. Get off your self-nominated pedestal and actually do something to make a difference, if you plan to live in this community for life.
What are y'all waiting for??? The government to make changes> Well, HELLO!!! that just isn't going to happen until they are all put in jail.
NO MORE BICKERING!!!
Get your crap together, and spend your time in a more positive way. Teach a kid how to do something...you are the adult, and you have what it takes to teach. Education is NOT just for the time in school.
I would like to see responses from the readers as to what they are going to do to play a role in changing our community. I will watch posts, and see who spends more time griping than becoming involved...
Posted : August 10, 2009 4:16 am
Topic starter
IF YOU WANT THINGS TO CHANGE, BE A PART OF THE PROCESS...VOLUNTEER!!!!
I will be watching posts and posters to see who just sits by and bitches compared to those who give... DO IT!!! Make a difference in someone's life!
Posted : August 10, 2009 4:25 am
Topic starter
Okay...now 125 readers of this post, and still no one else has anything to offer...
Live in your hell, or state an offer to change things...What do you have ton offer to make change positive?
Posted : August 10, 2009 4:35 am
you drinkin saucey? have you brought me any clothes or food for my homeless guys? shut the hellup,if you want to get into the trenches i sureasfuck show you how and where you pompous pieceofshit
Posted : August 10, 2009 7:35 am
and saucey if you want i can put you in touch with people that do this stuff on a daily basis that don't want or need public approval like you do in order to do goodthings
Posted : August 10, 2009 7:45 am
jeez by the way you write saucey i'm thinkin you did something really bad and are tryin to buy ur way into heaven,how many times do you need to be told do not drink type and post at the same time
Posted : August 10, 2009 8:00 am
I'm on STT, Saucey not STX.
Posted : August 10, 2009 1:47 pm
