Saturday, September 15, 2012
Friday, September 14, 2012
Listening
Listening
I was able to attend the Listening Forum hosted by
the Vermont Commission on Women (VWC) this week. It was moving to hear the
perspectives and concerns of young women and girls in Bennington County. The
aim of the listening forum was for agencies and community leaders to learn how
they can strengthen their work to better serve these women.
Young women and girls from area high schools and
middle schools presented their stories that ranged from success stories to
victim stories. Some identified as teens overcoming the stigma of teen pregnancy,
some identified as teens that were once shy and detached, and now are involved
and connected to others.
The participants were asked to come up with ideas
about what young women need to thrive in this community. Their contributions
included: support, respect, privacy, trust in relationships, positivity, goals,
positive connections to the community, ownership in decision-making, and faith
in one’s self and others. Other more tangible ideas were: a confidant, access
to mental health, insurance, afterschool activities, transportation to
afterschool activities, and information about accessing community resources.
It was an uplifting experience to hear directly
from the teens and girls who use community resources or extracurricular
activities to build a network of trusted individuals who care. I heard
inspirational stories of empathetic teachers at the local high school giving
students a voice through the performing arts or leadership development, and
alternative school programs building teens up through leadership roles.
After leaving the forum with a great sense of
hope, I am more confident in the tenacity of youth in this community. Keeping
the stories and ideas these remarkable young women shared close to my heart, I’ll
draw on them while designing workshops, community service projects, and communication
to youth for this year. All the while, I hope to further the notion that there
are many stories of youth in the Bennington area if we choose to listen.
For more information on the Vermont Commission on Women:
http://women.vermont.gov/
For more information on the Vermont Commission on Women:
http://women.vermont.gov/
For more information about the SerVermont:
For more information about Southwestern Vermont Medical Center:
For more information about AmeriCorps VISTA:
Stories
Stories
Reflecting on our VISTA training that was held
last week for our SerVermont requirement, I’d like to highlight our viewing of “The
danger of a single story,” a TED Talk by Chimamanda Adichie, an accomplished
novelist. This talk emphasizes the complexity of stories that are woven into
our lives, and the threat that lies in adopting only a single story of a person
or place – lack of cultural competency and acceptance.
According to Adichie, having just a single story
can lead to one being sorry for someone before one gets to know them, what she
calls a ‘well-meaning pity’ which creates serious barriers. “The single story
creates stereotypes, and the problem with stereotypes is not that they are
untrue, but that they are incomplete. They make one story become the only
story,” states Adichie.
In reflection, we are all perpetrators when it
comes to promoting single stories of “the poor, the less fortunate, the victims
of the welfare system.” We can recognize that. Yet, where these single stories
have come from, whether they’re from the media, family, experiences or exposure
is not easy to discern. Does it matter? Or does it only matter that these
single stories exist?
Adichie stresses that it is important to put single
stories aside and open our eyes to new perspectives; being aware of my
acceptance of a single story of those living in poverty was my first step.
Segmenting it and using firsthand experience and my work to create a multitude
of stories was second. Third, I am now actively encouraging people in my life,
family, friends, and other loved ones to revise their single story of those
living in poverty.
I had watched “The danger of a single story” previously
in a public health class at Penn State and used a global lens. Watching it a
second time, I used a local lens to draw parallels to the single story of
Vermonters living in poverty. I was impelled to think about how VISTAs
throughout the state are working to change this single story by building
capacities in these communities to lift those struggling out of their current conditions.
Throughout my year of service, I know that there will be single stories that I
will encounter everywhere.
In the month I have been in my community, I have
recognized a single story of youth, namely high-school students, college students,
and “twenty-somethings.” I have heard, in a few experiences with community members
that young people do not care about their community. I’ve heard excuses such as
“it’s just that age.” I’ve heard a single story about all-around negativity and
apathy: the youth are either disengaged, abusing substances, or they are
pregnant or already parents.
I am confident that we can change this single
story by getting youth engaged in the community through service projects, afterschool
activities, and by advocating for health issues that affect them directly. Investing
in the youth will provide an environment where their stories are celebrated.
I aim to be a part of the change by coordinating
the Youth Ambassador Program and the Photovoice project with my colleague
Nicole Rau. The Youth Ambassador Program will further the notion of the
existence of many stories by empowering local high school students to become
peer leaders and advocates for health issues teens are facing. We are accepting
applications for Ambassadors now and it will certainly be an amazing journey! The
Photovoice project will showcase the perspectives of three groups of young
people. Participants will capture their community and the assets and needs that
are preeminent through digital media and photography, and their stories will be
on display.
I recently learned firsthand from some amazing
teens on Wednesday that there are many stories of youth that yearn to be
highlighted. These stories need a chance, they need the spotlight. See my next
post for details! J
For the TED Talk by Chimamanda Adichie:
For more information about the SerVermont:
For more information about Southwestern Vermont
Medical Center:
For more information about AmeriCorps VISTA:
Monday, September 10, 2012
Culture
Culture
I’m learning that culture plays the most
significant role in transitions. Yes, you will miss your hometown and college
town and all of the persons you shared those years with in the process of
joining the post-undergraduate world. Yet, it is important to remember to be
grateful for what you’re experiencing in this moment and every moment forward.
I’ve found that one way to be grateful is to learn about the new culture, reach
out with an open heart, and explore.
Adjusting to the new organizational culture was a
lesser part of the process for me, whereas adapting to the culture of my new
state has been a grand adventure! This past weekend my colleague Nicole took me
to the Vermont State Fair in Rutland, VT where I encountered a charming family
atmosphere. We were accompanied by her friend Sarah, a Vermonter (and former
Maple Queen!) who taught me about sugaring - the process of gathering sap and
making maple syrup – and kindly explained the nature of maple sweets.
While we waited out a huge storm that rolled in, I
tried a ‘maple creamie’ which is maple syrup mixed into soft serve ice cream,
and maple candy. Delicious! I’ll never use maple-flavored corn syrup on
pancakes again!
Walking around the fair in the rain, I saw lots of
John Deere tractors (John Deere is from the Rutland area just like Nicole!),
dairy cows being milked, a collection of chickens, sheep and goats, carnival
games, and rides. I also saw the line of folks waiting to see American Idol
Scotty McCreery, gigantic vegetables, guns, impressive art exhibits, and
smelled some great fair food. I was also able to pet a dairy cow which was so
exciting!
I started my transition by being wowed by the
Green Mountain views, and I certainly grow fonder of Vermont’s culture and
sense of community each day.
For more information about Southwestern Vermont
Medical Center:
For more information about AmeriCorps VISTA:
For more information about the Vermont State Fair:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)