Identity Map

 

YDEV + Me Reflection

Isabella Caban Velletri                                                                                                                  YDEV + Me Reflection 

 

I went to The MET High School, which is an internship based high school. When I first arrived, my heart we set on social work. Throughout my three years I bounced around from daycares to elementary schools, interviewed countless social workers, and even traveled to build a playground for a school in Mexico. When senior year came around, I was asked the question, by my advisor of three years, “what do you want to be.” When I told him my three interests and highlights from my time at The MET, being social work, non-profit work, and youth work, he told me I had to choose one, and helped me apply for my top three colleges. 

Because of my ongoing indecisiveness of which internship, I valued more, I started my college education undecided. I did not do well in my first year, because of issues happening back home, and the feeling of defeat from my previous conversation with my advisor. I continued for two years at Rhode Island College feeling unseen, unvalued, and that it was time to give up, so I dropped out. 

This ended up turning into a gap year... or two, and when I came back, I had met my new undecided advisor, Colton. When I told him about my experience, he began to explain to me how he got his position at RIC that he has now, and how it was all thanks to his YDEV major. He explained how YDEV is a mix of youth work, social work, and non-profit work, and I'm sure he said something else after that. I was so blown away by the focuses of YDEV that I stopped listening. I was already in. 

I've been an official YDEV major for two semesters, and I have already traveled to Guatemala for a month, thanks to a YDEV professor. It was an honor to learn hands on in a third world country. I went for intensive language classes and teaching at the local school. I didn’t realize, going into the trip, how much more I would take out of the experience. I learned so much about their various cultures, and the ongoing political fight for peace and freedom the community has been going through. The community I stayed in for two weeks was overwhelmingly welcoming and felt like a hallmark community, because they were so inclusive with one another. Before we left, the owner of La Escuela de La Montana told us the story of how he rescued every family from the finca they were staying on and relocated them to where they are now, and where I was staying. The entire trip was such an inspiration and I have YDEV to thank for that.  

Although I’ve only been a YDEV major for two semesters, I’ve found a supportive community that creates a motivating environment to help me finish my college education. What continues to inspire me about this program is, specifically, its holistic approach to youth development. This approach acknowledges the importance of various factors such as play, care, identity, social justice & advocacy, and leadership. By incorporating these anchors into the curriculum, the program aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of youth development. 

Furthermore, you appreciate the tight-knit community In Youth Develpoment, where students and professors collaborate to create a supportive learning environment. This collaborative atmosphere fosters mutual support and growth, allowing students to from one another and explore interests in youth development. The combination of theoretical learning and practical application makes it an enriching option for students passionate about youth development. Youth Development gave me the opportunity to be the person I needed when I was younger for current youth. 

Questions on Asset Based Thinking

How often do we hear gender asset based deficits?

Can asset based deficits be compared to the concept of closed mindset? Why is it harder to practice a growth mindset?

How can we create reminders to foster an asset based approach for individuals, organizations, and communities?

What resources can we find to help us shift our mindset from deficit to asset based approach?

Questions on YDEV program from RIC website

 By the end of the program, do we create a cumulating portfolio that can be used for job interviews?

Can the YDEV certification be used outside of Rhode Island College?

Aside from the degree, are there other minor certifications that we must obtain? For example: CPR

Is there a list of partners that have collaborated with RICs YDEV program?

belonging

 Growing up, my mom and I attended an episcopalian church every Sunday. She was never big into her religion, but when she had me, she wanted to give me the experience of practicing my religion. I attended “Sunday School” while my mother was in mass, thinking it's just where the kids went, while they had their adult conversation. Little did I know, the reason for Sunday School was for me to get confirmed. For me to make my confirmation, I had to attend this weekend retreat with a local bible camp called “Happening” at ECC. The environment instantly created a sense of community and connection. By participating in various activities, such as worship services, group discussions, and team-building exercises, individuals are able to bond with others who share similar beliefs and values. This sense of belonging can provide comfort, support, and a sense of purpose, especially at a time in my life where I felt isolated and like I didn’t belong. 

While it doesn’t relate directly, I could connect this memory to part of the song where she talks about her parents not understanding her decision to come home from school. More specifically I could relate to the feeling of disapproval she was anticipating coming back to her hometown, when I anticipated the feeling of disaproval or not belonging before going into the bible camp. The lyrics convey a yearning for a sense of belonging and finding comfort in familiar surroundings. Nina was able to find a sense of purpose within a community, like the sense of belonging that can be found in church camps. 

my values

    The values that are most important to me are respect, empathy, inclusivity, growth, and collaboration. Respect is crucial in creating a harmonious environment where all individuals feel valued and heard. Empathy allows me to understand and connect with people on a deeper level, fostering a sense of compassion and understanding. Inclusivity ensures that everyone in my life feels welcome and accepted regardless of their background, abilities, or differences. Growth is essential, as it promotes continuous learning and personal development. Lastly, collaboration encourages teamwork and enhances problem-solving skills, preparing students for success in the real world. By embodying these values, I strive to build a positive and empowering version of myself.

    In the real world, these values are highly relevant and applicable. In any professional environment or social setting, welcoming and accepting others regardless of their background, abilities, or differences is crucial for fostering inclusivity and promoting diversity. This not only creates a supportive atmosphere but also allows for the sharing of different perspectives, ideas, and experiences, which can lead to innovative solutions and growth. 

Color Blind or Color Brave Response

 The Hobson TED talk for this week was very well spoken, and she got her points across clearly and affectively. Her experience at the birthday party when she was little and the question her mother asked resonated throughout the video. I believe this was assigned after our identity maps to allow us to question whether race and diversity should be acknowledged despite being a huge part of who we are. Hobson touched on the topic of “Color Blindness” and “Color Brave,” which ties in perfectly with what I believe the goal of the order of these assignments were. She explained how the “first step to solve any problem is to not hide,” and how, “the first step of any action is awareness,” which I found was a wonderful way to paint the picture of these two definitions. 

    Hobson left us with a piece of advice. She advised us to invite people into our lives that do not look or act like us or came from the same place as us. This will invite them to challenge our assumptions and make us grow as people. I could relate this to my trip to Guatemala as a whole, but specifically learning about the upbringing of Guatemalas education curriculum through GIZ. GIZ is a German based organization that is actively supporting Guatemala in many ways but specifically, education. When GIZ stepped into the picture to lend a helping hand, they faced the problem of an outdated curriculum that was leading to children dropping out of school at very early ages. To solve that problem head on, they gathered educators from all over the world to discuss teaching techniques that lead to the most success. I can't lie, going into the schools in Guatemala, I was pretty naive and believed we would have more tools to share rather than to learn from the other teachers. I'm happily surprised from how much I learned from watching the teachers methods of teaching and lesson plans.

Real Link: GIZ Organization in Guatemala 

Funny Link: What is Disversity?