What is Youth Work? 

As I read Decolonizing Youth Development Re-imagining Youthwork for Indigenous Youth Futures, I wasn't sure how to react, I believe I was more WOWed than anything. In a sense like "this makes sense" of why certain programs are run certain ways. The author speaks upon the idea of the parallel development of youth. This same idea is still installed in this organization. I worked for the Boys Scouts of America for 4 years over the summer camps, and their system was run more like the belief of the White colonial system. even though there were females who participated in the summer program and did the same activities they were treated the same way as the boys. However, chiefs and Indian games are still played but songs, activities such as bow and arrows, and cub names are being adopted by Indian tribes.

Besides the idea of "playing Indian" the idea of schools changing and erasing students' identity, is information I did not find surprising however made me sick to think that teachers would limit students' cultural identity, "School attendance resulted in a loss of identity and trauma. Staff sheared children’s hair, changed their names, banned traditional clothing and customs, and coerced conversion to Christianity." (Johnston-Goodstar, 379) This is traumatizing for students and families. I personally have experienced this with my language in elementary school. My first language was not celebrated or encouraged I felt that I was being stripped of who I was.

On the other hand, reading Community Based Youth Work in Uncertain Times, I can relate to this article. I felt a sense of warmth and understanding of what it is like being a youth worker and the barriers that non-profit organizations have to deal with. I have worked in many after-school programs and researched other after-school programs, I have noticed that each program offers different services based on its mission and vision. Also, they face various challenges to work with the youth.

When the other mentions of name-calling youth as "at risk" and youth workers being known as heroes or saviors, I have had the opportunity to work at a summer program that shared the pedagogy as EE. This program was known as Building Educated Leaders for Life (BELL), the youth that attended this program were called scholars. Part of our training was to ensure that we valued our scholars and reminded them that they were leaders. BELL models help parents become more engaged in their child’s education. Scholar success and parent engagement lead to improved school attendance, higher grades and test scores, and increased graduation rates. Staff members were recognized as mentors instead of teachers. Unfortunately, this program did not continue to be funded due to the political lack of support.

The reading speaking about the importance of school and community-based organizations joining forces is something that I have experienced. Last year, Providence Public School District attempted to bring all its community-based programs together in one room. the reason for this union was to bring awareness of certain schools' transformation. This was a great idea to bring everyone together, bringing awareness to whom works in each school and creating networking opportunities. however this only lasted for 3 months, but within the 3 months we connected this brought great opportunities for positive development for youth. this helped vocalize what each organization does within and outside of the schools. I believe if this continues at least having meetings once a month with school districts I believe will help the organization to keep running and develop positive enforcement for the youth. 

Lastly, I can heavily agree that "after-school programs can be restorative spaces for students who are disconnected from schools and can facilitate the development of social capital for young people and a deeper understanding of the social context in which they live and learn." (Baldridge, 10) I have worked with After Zone at the middle school level. Middle school is a challenging era, they are transitioning emotionally and navigating being teenagers; having After Zone in these settings brings great opportunity to youth positive confidence, and the creation of great leaders. After Zone offers a variety of after-school activities that can enhance and develop new skills. this is a space where youth are allowed to be themselves and explore their identity. 

“Young people should be at the forefront of global change and innovation. Empowered, they can be key agents for development and peace.”

— Kofi Annan

These readings I would bring them into my classroom space because of the information they contain.  Decolonizing Youth Development Re-imagining Youthwork for Indigenous Youth Futures shares facts on how youth were decolonized, and the history of certain activities were birthed. The reading on  Community Based Youth Work in Uncertain Times is an article that I believe organizations and youth workers can relate to, we have all encountered similar roadblocks and continue to do so.