Color blind or invisible

Black, white, yellow, or invisible we are all human; well that's what we want to think or what we want people to think of themselves.  

I have had the opportunity to work with a "Black" gentlemen named Kobi Dennis at Project Night Vision in Providence, which is similar to Youth in Action and focuses on the youth of the Chad Brown housing projects, and to be honest I was nervous.  Here I am going to meet with guy who, runs a program with the youth in "Chad," who i am going to ask to help me with a project in one of my Non Profit classes.  Let's be honest "Chad" doesn't have the greatest reputation. I'm thinking oh boy I'm in for it, I was scared.  And honestly it couldn't be farther for the truth, this man treated me like family from day 1, to the point my family was at a community yard sale on Broad St and he introduces us as his "light skinned family".  It's been almost 2 years since our first meeting, and he made it a point to reach out to wish me a happy birthday. 

What does this have to do with race/racism and being color blind? I can honestly say that Kobi is inspiration, he doesn't care who you are, what color your skin is, religion.  The only thing he cares about is the community and that children in his community succeed. This "Black" man stands proudly with anyone who sees that the children are the future.  He isn't a "BLACK" man to me he is an inspiration, someone that when I'm done with school I will stride to be like, someone I want to emulate.  

Why should we be color blind? The world never will be, we can only treat each other as humans and brothers and sisters. 

I have felt invisible when I have gone into a new class or a new place of work. I have also felt this way in my own family, which is all I am going to say about that. 

I do feel that we need to teach not only our youth about this topic, but our younger children as well. We as adults need to set the role to our children and let them know it does not matter what color you are and to treat everyone the same or treat them the way you want to be treated.

What's your sign? Ideology quiz

This was the first time I have taking a quiz like this. I actually had to read the questions more than once. On a personal note, I felt like I wanted to put a number 1 on more than one of the statements. After adding up my scores I came up with Risk, Resiliency and Prevention. I can honestly say I agree with it. I do care a lot about the youth and the key issues that come up with them. I do feel that we as adults need to guide the youth to make the right decisions. It does however not necessarily begin with the youth. I believe it begins with our youngest children. We need to help the youngest ones to develope the skills they need to be able to make the right decisions.
I was not too far behind for the Positive Youth Development sign. I do agree with this one as well. We do need to help with the strengths and positive growth in our youth as well as figuring out how to build on this for them. Overall I was pretty happy with the outcome of the quiz. I know that youth work is important and it is a good idea to get them more involved. If we can get the youth to be positive role models then our younger children will succeed as well.
Christina Boone

A World Where Youth Hold the Power

The main ideas of this article is to talk about what Youth in Action does. They have teenagers that run the organization and help make decisions. The organization was started by teenagers that wanted to build strong relationships with their communities. The organization spoke a lot about Providence and the people that live there. They spoke about how the building was an important part to the organization. It is amazing to read about how they decided to design the inside of the building. The article also spoke with other youth about how they have been impacted. Youth engagement through the entire building was a big part of setting this program up. They want the youth to strive and make changes in the community.
I personally do not have any examples from when I was a youth. I do want to say that these programs are not necessary important only in Providence, but in other parts of the state as well. Every town needs to have programs for the youth. I do agree with the fact that the building is important for a successful program. I work at a daycare and the inside and outside of the building definetly needs to have a good sense of energy. For me it is also the classrooms for each age group as well.
I do have someone that does have a youth program in Providence called Project Night Vision. Reading this article makes me thing of him and all the things he does for the youth in Providence. He makes the youth a big part of his organization and they help out as well. When I was growing up I never had the opportunity to be part of a youth program. Working with 3-5 year olds, we are getting them to strive and help them to be part of the community. It all begins at a young age, but the youth is important as well since sometimes they get left behind. The main goal should be to have every town in Rhode Island with a youth program. Let's make a difference one youth at a time.
Christina Boone

Blog post #1

     Working with the youth or children is rewarding. I have been working with children for eleven years and it has it's ups and downs. I will say I have had days that have been rough and others that have been fun and exciting. I currently work with the ages 3-5 and all I can say is wow. For example: just listening to the conversations the children have with each other is great. Just the language these children have is unbelievable. So I do agree with the article when they say it is rewarding to work with the youth. I personally love to see their progress and watch them grow.
     Youth work is an educational practice. I would definitely say that this is true. Just because I work in a daycare does not mean I do not need an education. Times are changing and the requirements to work in a daycare have changed. Currently I have to take classes about the Rhode Island Early Learning Standards. Daycare workers have to be certified in all three classes they offer. Also it is required to have knowledge in Iters and Ecers for BrightStars. It is a high demanding job working in the daycare field, but like I said before it is all for the children and making sure they succeed.
     This article really said everything that I currently do and believe in. Working with the youth or children is a way to make a difference in their lives, even if it is just one. I have a friend who is the founder of Project Night Vision in Providence, working to get youth off the streets, he goes beyond the call of duty. He does a lot for the youth in Providence by having car washes, backpack drives, midnight basketball leagues and much more. I feel like in this field you have to go beyond the call of duty. I know in my own classroom I do go beyond. I am always striving to do better and improve how I run my classroom. I am always looking for classes to take and looking for new ideas. For example, I am currently taking the next Rhode Island Early Learning Standards class on classroom. We talked about curriculum and lesson plans. From taking this course I have changed my planbook and it was for the good of the classroom and for the children. I have to say it is working really well and the children are learning and growing because of the change.
     I will continue to learn and grow as well as help our youth and children be successful.
Christina Boone

 

ALL ABOUT ME!!!

I like to golf

 

 

 



My husband, Randy and son, Anthony

 

My dog, Sergio

My 6 year old son, Anthony