Adults Striving to Help Youth
By: M. Underhill
The news media has recently focused on ways people can help troubled youth. In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, which hit the East Coast of the United States in September 2012, many people and organizations searched for ways, no matter how small, they couldprovide assistance. The storm hit just as people were getting in the holiday spirit, which is a time of the year when many people decide to volunteer or give their time or money to those less fortunate (Allahyari, 2000). The articles I selected to review here display the giving nature of adults or organizations who are dedicated to today’s youth. I will also discuss the connection between the needs that are fulfilled and youths’ abilities to be functioning community members.
In the first article, titled “Save the Children Helps to make Sandy Shelters Comfortable for Kids” (2012), the author tells of an organization, called Save the Children, which gives its time and resources in New York and New Jersey. The organization’s goal is to set up safe areas for youth to play, even though they are displaced from their homes. The intent is to give children as great a chance of normalcy in this time of trouble, the article states.
Although a safe play area does not seem like an issue at the forefront of worry, this aspect of a child’s life is crucial to his or her development. According to Kenneth Ginsburg, “Play is essential to development because it contributes to the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of children and youth. Play also offers an ideal opportunity for parents to engage fully with their children” (2007, p.182). The Save the Children organization is doing just that.
The other article, titled “Operation Christmas Child” (2012)explains how an organization strives to bring toys to children who have been affected by Hurricane Sandy. Operation Christmas Child collects money and goods to send care packages to less-fortunate youth overseas. The important aspect of this article is not that children are being given toys, it is that they are able to make positive connects with adults.
Seeing U.S. citizens, and specifically the adults who deliver the boxes, give of themselves and their money, can be inspiring for children. We have discussed in our course content very extensively the need for positive mentoring relationships. In the article, it mentions one girl who started out as a recipient of a small, shoe-box sized package, and built a relationship with the woman who delivered it. That girl was later adopted by the woman and brought back to the U.S. for a chance at a greater future.
Villarruel, Perkins, Borden & Keith (2003) name compassion as one of the most important features that a youth development worker can possess. This factor, beyond a “job skill,” is the key component to success in working with youth. The adults who created these organizations may not have labeled themselves as youth development workers, or may not have intended to make it their life purpose to be a part of that organization. The people who volunteer may also not call themselves youth development professionals. However, they possess the most important aspects of the job – compassion, optimism, giving of self.
Some of the youth being served by these organizations, such as those in other parts of the world, do not live with the luxury of having everything they want, including both parents in the home who are willing to spend time with their children. Some of these children are in need of positive adult role models – ones who genuinely care, and can provide for them. Their parents may care, but not have enough for themselves to pass it along to their children. These youth need to see how a community system works, which is for someone to only take what they need, then give to those who are in need.
References
Allahyari, R. A. (2000). Visions of charity: volunteer workers and moral community. Los Angeles, CA: University of California Press.
Fox News (2012). Save the Children helps to make Sandy shelters comfortable for children. Retrieved from http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/11/03/save-children-helps-to-make-sandy-shelters-comfortable-for-kids/
Ginsburg, K. (2007). The importance of play in promoting healthy child development and maintaining strong parent-child bonds.Pediatrics, 119(1), 182-191
The Journal (2012). Operation Christmas Child works to bring toys to children. Retrieved from http://www.journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/586955/Operation-Christmas-Child-works-to-bring-toys-to-children.html?nav=5006
Villarruel, F.A., Perkins, D.F., Borden, L.M., & Keith, J.G. (2003). Community youth development: programs, policies and practices. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
In the first article, titled “Save the Children Helps to make Sandy Shelters Comfortable for Kids” (2012), the author tells of an organization, called Save the Children, which gives its time and resources in New York and New Jersey. The organization’s goal is to set up safe areas for youth to play, even though they are displaced from their homes. The intent is to give children as great a chance of normalcy in this time of trouble, the article states.
Although a safe play area does not seem like an issue at the forefront of worry, this aspect of a child’s life is crucial to his or her development. According to Kenneth Ginsburg, “Play is essential to development because it contributes to the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of children and youth. Play also offers an ideal opportunity for parents to engage fully with their children” (2007, p.182). The Save the Children organization is doing just that.
The other article, titled “Operation Christmas Child” (2012)explains how an organization strives to bring toys to children who have been affected by Hurricane Sandy. Operation Christmas Child collects money and goods to send care packages to less-fortunate youth overseas. The important aspect of this article is not that children are being given toys, it is that they are able to make positive connects with adults.
Seeing U.S. citizens, and specifically the adults who deliver the boxes, give of themselves and their money, can be inspiring for children. We have discussed in our course content very extensively the need for positive mentoring relationships. In the article, it mentions one girl who started out as a recipient of a small, shoe-box sized package, and built a relationship with the woman who delivered it. That girl was later adopted by the woman and brought back to the U.S. for a chance at a greater future.
Villarruel, Perkins, Borden & Keith (2003) name compassion as one of the most important features that a youth development worker can possess. This factor, beyond a “job skill,” is the key component to success in working with youth. The adults who created these organizations may not have labeled themselves as youth development workers, or may not have intended to make it their life purpose to be a part of that organization. The people who volunteer may also not call themselves youth development professionals. However, they possess the most important aspects of the job – compassion, optimism, giving of self.
Some of the youth being served by these organizations, such as those in other parts of the world, do not live with the luxury of having everything they want, including both parents in the home who are willing to spend time with their children. Some of these children are in need of positive adult role models – ones who genuinely care, and can provide for them. Their parents may care, but not have enough for themselves to pass it along to their children. These youth need to see how a community system works, which is for someone to only take what they need, then give to those who are in need.
References
Allahyari, R. A. (2000). Visions of charity: volunteer workers and moral community. Los Angeles, CA: University of California Press.
Fox News (2012). Save the Children helps to make Sandy shelters comfortable for children. Retrieved from http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/11/03/save-children-helps-to-make-sandy-shelters-comfortable-for-kids/
Ginsburg, K. (2007). The importance of play in promoting healthy child development and maintaining strong parent-child bonds.Pediatrics, 119(1), 182-191
The Journal (2012). Operation Christmas Child works to bring toys to children. Retrieved from http://www.journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/586955/Operation-Christmas-Child-works-to-bring-toys-to-children.html?nav=5006
Villarruel, F.A., Perkins, D.F., Borden, L.M., & Keith, J.G. (2003). Community youth development: programs, policies and practices. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.