We Are Youth Development

We Are Youth Development

 

 

Youth Development is not only the newest major at Rhode Island College, but it is also the most rewarding major at Rhode Island College. The curriculum comprises of your general education, teaching education, non-profit studies, and social work courses. As an undergraduate you must also select a concentration of your choice, which will make you much more marketable following graduation.The inclusion of these various majors combined helps to create a super major comprising of all the majors directed to helping us guide the lives of our youth.

When I transferred to Rhode Island College in 2012 I was blessed that in that same year the Youth Development program was created. My biggest fear used to be what will I do when I graduate, or how much will I make when I graduate. One thing I learned is we are our own authors of Youth Development. This major has helped guide me on my journey of being a mentor to the youth, as well as providing guidance to all those in need of assistance.

As our world advances so does the need for Youth Workers. Youth Workers help to provide safe and healthily environment's for our youth. One common misconception about the program is that there is no money in the field. I feel that if your main motive is to empower youth the focus on money shouldn't be a concern. As a Youth Worker you cant put a price on that because the job opportunities can vary from a camp counselor to a school director. The more experience that you gain in the field will open up the greater opportunities in to excel as a Youth Worker. After achieving my BA in Youth Development Id like to work in a school system as a youth mentor/guidance counselor. My goal is to work at the high school level preferably in a low income inner city school district to improve graduation rates so I can empower youth to reach their full potential by attending a college or university.

 

Resilient Kids

Resilient Kids

 

 Mission: 

To foster the social, emotional and academic growth of children and young people through mindfulness curricula seamlessly integrated into the school culture.  Our professionally- trained, dedicated instructors work in partnership with school administrators and classroom teachers to reduce stress and behaviors that interfere with learning, to accelerate positive student outcomes. 

 

 

The Resilient Kids program is a phenomenal program for our youth. I love that these children are able to self-regulate with mindfulness to be able to control their emotions better. Many times when youth are brought together their initial reaction is to run, play, and lets their minds run wild. I feel that the technique used will not only help our youth concentrate efficiently but it will also alleviate the stress on the instructor for them to gain better control on the overall class. The self-controlling technique creates a form of self-discipline with the use of mindful yoga practices. I’d like to learn more about these techniques first hand so I can apply these techniques to my youth while mentoring to help the students can have bettercontrol on their emotions. I also feel that these techniques will be extremely effective for me while coaching, as it will athletes control their anxiety throughout athletic events and activities.

 

 

 

 

My Life Influences

Ten Most Influential People In My Life

1)      God

2)      Mom- Sheila Murray

3)      Dad- Silas Murray

4)      Brother- Silas Warren Murray

5)      Brother-Daniel Murray

6)      KC Beach and Ralph Napolitano (HS Wrestling Coaches and Mentors

7)      Dr. Leslie Bogad

8)      Alex Gomez (Best Friend)

9)      Coach Jay Jones (College Wrestling Coach)

10)  Javier Yepez

Throughout my life my story could not be written without the ten individuals mentioned above. I have always believed in a higher power, and in many times in my life I would look to God not to ask for anything, but to thank him for all that is great things that have been brought into my life. God is what gave me the strength to compete which has brought my family closer together in the most recent years of my life. As an out of state-student athlete I hardly ever get to see my birth family. One of the greatest times exist because m family would attend all of our meets no matter how far the distance. My mother to this day is like my twin. I've never grew up with a sister but my mothers relationship with myself has helped prepare me for the real world. Although my family is all athletes except for my mom I tell her to this day that she is the strongest individual in our family. In my family I am the middle child. I always felt that I've had a huge role in the family. I am a role model to my younger brother, and I have an older brother to look up to. I am grateful to have had my brother by my side through my high school an college career. Also throughout my years from K-12 my brother and me had separate friends. We had our disagreements where I found myself seeking for someone to lead me. During my years in Brentwood, NY I've found great mentors who have helped motivate me to be everything that I ever wanted to be in life. Our high school is built off stories, we were always on the new for negative publicity. Our low income inner city school had a bad reputation on Long Island. It was my coaches who gave me the opportunity to lead the team my senior year as the wrestling Captain. I was able to lead our team to our first Long Island Championship in over 20 years. To this day they are here for me when ever I fall to pick me up and help me through any life obstacle. They are the reason I wanted to give back to youth, mainly so youth can have a better life than I had. Coming to RIC has been one of my best decisions of my life. It was Faith that when I first transferred to RIC the major of Youth Development was in its first year. When I met Leslie she has became the one of the only people in Rhode Island that I have met that makes me feel happy and safe. I didn't know what I wanted to do in college. The only thing I did know is that I wanted to impact the lives of youth that need the guidance to succeed in life, and Leslie Bogad opened that door when she created the best major at Rhode Island College. The final individual that I would like to mention is Javier Yepez. He is my mothers best friends grandson who I was able to babysit for years. Javier at the gentle age of 3 has taught me how to be strong. When he was born he lost his father on Cinco De Mayo by murder. His father left his girlfriend two daughters (5) and (6) and Javier (3). The joy that I see when I interact with Javier is what make me fight when even I see myself struggling. I strive to be great and with these individuals mentioned they have been the backbone to my life.

 

 

 
 
 



Addressing Toxic Stress in Young Children in Rhode Island Event

 

Presents:

 

Addressing Toxic Stress in Young Children in Rhode Island



 

      Stress is an issue that people face in their lives to a certain extent. Being a student-athlete in college I have faced and overcame many stressors as various levels. I was extremely interested in participating in this event because although I have overcome many stressful events in my life. I have found myself having a harder time to cope with stressors. The common ways that a college student deals with stress are from the effects of adding harmful waste to your body such as drugs and alcohol. In reality your putting more physical stress on your body than you started with. This event has helped me identify stress at first response and how to adapt to improve your stressful situations. One of the breathing techniques that I learned helped me com intact with my inner feelings to relax when I am in uncomfortable or nerve racking situations. One thing that I found interesting is that youth are able to identify when the adult is under stress. This pays a huge role as mentioned at home as stressors in the adult will elicit stress in the youth. Many times our youth with carry this stressful behavior with them to school and as Youth Workers is our job to identify these stressors. By helping those who communicate minimally to open up made me think of the Icebreakers that we use to start off our classes. When we sat with our round table groups I gave my input of the Ice Breakers to cope with stress and my group loved it. I feel that the use of the Ice Breakers helps those who are and aren't under stress to open up and raise his/her alertness in being able to open their minds to learn new things for that time period. Before leaving I was able to network with Rita Capotosto who is the clinical director for Adoption Rhode Island. www.adoptionri.org This organization is open to and youth workers seeking to provide mentorship to those students who face the stressor of not having a home. Any youth worker interested should contact Rita at rcapotosto@adoptionri.org

 

http://carenewengland.org/

 

http://www.rikidscount.org/

 

http://provplan.org/

The Rhode Island Afterschool Plus Alliance (RIASPA) Event

The Rhode Island Afterschool Plus Alliance (RIASPA)

BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS

 

 

            It was an honor of mine to be a member at “The Rhode Island Afterschool plus Alliance (RIASPA)”. I was invited by two groups who I am thankful to be a part of and that is The Met School, and the Rhode Island College Youth Development Cohort 3. Once we entered the room filled quickly. The food was amazing but not as amazing as how our group dressed for the event. This was a morning of great networking and speeches. It was amazing to see many RIC graduates, as well as two graduates in the Youth Development programs who are currently employed as youth workers striving to empower out youth. The key note speaker Jonathan Kozol was amazing. His experiences that he had including his funny story with the PBS Kid’s star Mr. Rogers in New York City. This event has made me stronger as a youth worker to see the various individuals that strive with the same goals that I do to provide afterschool programs to help our youth of Rhode Island. On this morning we represented of Youth as Advocates in keeping our lights on and bright for our after school programs.

 

 

http://afterschoolri.org/

http://mypasa.org/

http://www.ride.ri.gov/

 

 



Have You Ever Felt Invisible?

 

Have You Ever Felt Invisible?

            As a youth whenever I would be asked to have a super power it would always be to have the power to be invisible. In this case it is a feeling of being alone and unheard. I was very anti-social growing. Through many of life’s obstacles that I have faced would raise my anxiety to the point is feel like secluding myself from the world. I felt that from overcoming these obstacles is what has given me the strength to be seen today. Today the only power I wish to have is that imaginary cape that says hero on the back to empower those who are unheard, and that identify themselves as

Invisible.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKtALHe3Y9Q&feature=player_embedded

 

 

 

         In the Video by Mellody Hobson: Color Blind or Color Brave? It really touched me. Race has held a strong trait for me through my lifetime. I have been grateful to grow up in a diverse High School, whereas I haven’t been able to see color as a factor. Growing up and seeing the violence targeted toward color is what to this day irritates me. As Mellody Hobson stated that her mother’s biggest concern when she was the only black student invited to a birthday party was “how did they treat you” sounds like my something my other would say. Race is a touchy subject that when it is spoken of it tends to raise red flags. The thing that inspired me to do is to identify the issues that I face regarding race and to speak out. When speaking out it shouldn’t be to make others hate another race, but to educate each other on the on the awareness so you are not hiding from the existing factors.  Mellody  Hobson encourages us to embrace diversity as it will help us succeed equality by being comfortable to elaborate on existing topics on race.

 

 

YD Ideology and Horoscope

YD Ideology and Horoscope

 

The Youth Development Ideology Inventory is useful in identifying our opinions on Youth Development. This is our future, and we have the power to create the changed with a purpose in improving the lives of our youth. This inventory should be used a learning tool for providers to implement while working with Youth. I feel as you it is a time to learn and enjoy life, and with implementing the practices will create positive involvement for youth in their communities. This photo states " Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in Faith and in purity. After the quiz I finished up as "Positive Youth Development". I found this image that encouraged me after my results. This message reflects everything we stand for when we say Our Youth Matter.

In a World Where Youth Hold Power

Youth in Action

In a world where youth hold power helps guide our youth in creating leadership roles. I’ve had the opportunity to be blessed with the presence of our youth at Youth in Action. The Youth in Action organization represents everything that a Youth worker would like to see in its youth. Many times youth opinions can be overlooked an often their trouble are unheard. When we went to visit Youth in Action. These children who are ages 16 and under led our group in different activities in building a strong rapport. We look to these youth as Leaders in our city of Providence with a strong voice. Having these youth lead with such character is similar to when I coach wrestling. I seek out leader, not only captains. I feel that the captain title is an honor, but often times its power can be abused. When I elect leaders, I rotate the leadership so each and every youth can gain the opportunity to be included. Often times the quite children migrate to the back his/her issues are left unheard. It is our job to include everyone no matter what the race, sex, or orientation of the individual may be. One aspect that is overlooked is the students who are handicap, mainly in fitness activities, we must adapt to help these individuals feel accepted. As there individuals grow, by giving them a sense of leadership will strengthen their social abilities to excel through their environment socially. This article has helped me identify current issues that out youth are facing to be the change in ever community, because no community is perfect. We must engage and let our Youth stand up and lead in helping to create changes as every voice matters.

 

 

 



What is a Youth Worker

The seven characteristics of Youth Work are:

1.          Educational Practice:

When people here of the word educator they initially think of teachers. As a Youth Worker what attracts us most is it’s far for than an educator. An educators goal is to engage the students into their academics and asses them on their grades. For me as a Youth Worker work closely with Youth in assisting with Life Challenges. My educators helped me in succeeding in my academics but as a youth worker my past mentors have helped me succeed through life experiences.

2.          Social Practice:

 As a Youth worker we must help youth engage socially. In our time period technology has its advanced that have created many way of communicating socially. I feel that technology should be used as a last resort for communication. Social engagement helps build great rapport between individuals, and it lead to strong relationships. These strong ties at a young age will help improve the social behavior of our youth in order to build healthy relationships. 

3.          Youth Workers as Advocates:

To be a youth worker you must be able to lead. I often use the expression that “you do not need a cape to be a super hero”. Often youth have either a role model or someone that they look to look to for guidance to lead them through their life’s journey. The downfall is often youth will find role models that are not influential which leads them to making bad decisions. Be the one to advocate the youth on the right past. Lead by example.

4.          Youth work is a welfare practice:

 Youth lives matter. One reason why I decided to become a youth worker was to be that person that a youth can go to for mentoring in all aspects of life. By being more open to our youth it will build comfort in helping our individuals feel safe. It is a goal to make sure that our youth is safe by incorporating healthy relationships in his/her life.

5.          Youth work is in a variety of settings:

Youth workers can be found in many different occupations. What separates them from each other is how we strive to help improve the everyday lives of our youth. There is always a need for youth workers in our society as we must engage with our youth his/her needs. Parents play a huge role in a child’s life but many times a Parent must work to provide for their children. While they are doing their jobs we must do ours, in schools, after school, and even at summer camps. We must bridge the gap that our youth is missing by building stronger relationships.

6.          Seeks to strengthen the voice and influence of young people:

We all have a voice. Everyone’s voice matters. Many ideas by youth can be seen as irrelevant but it is our job as youth workers in creating a supportive environment where as our youth cannot feel alienated.

 

7.          Youth work works with young people ‘holistically’:

Youth workers have a special bond with young people. As a youth worker we must have patience with youth in paying attention to his or her needs. When I say needs not that you will be a servant to Youth, but you must look out for his/her strengths. Often youth are misunderstood, and it can be frustrating, but as a youth worker you must be attentive in identifying the inequalities that youth face as well as being equal to all youth.

 

Lead With A Purpose

‘Be the change you want to see in the World” - Mahatma Gandhi

- I wouldn't have made it thus far in my life without my Family. #TeamMurray

-Not Every Superhero wears a cape. #PrayForParis

-My biggest life accomplishment is the honor is in helping youth reach their highest potential.

-The opportunities that I have been granted since enrolling at a student athlete here at RIC have been Phenomenal.



-Keep your goals present and strive to get closer to your goals each and everyday.