AJ's Thought Bubble

Community-Based Work In Uncertain Times This chapter evoked quite a few feelings for me. At first, when reading about Educational Excellence, it reminded me of why I entered the world of your development. It brought me joy knowing that some organizations and programs were lively and inspiring not only for the youth being served but for the youth workers.  The executive director of my organization always reminds my department that the students don't come back for the activities and games, although it's fun, they come back because of their relationship with us.  Having staff that are truly passionate about young people and seeing them succeed makes a significant impact on their experience in after-school programs. This chapter was a wonderful reminder of the importance of my work. Even though I hope to one day work at the high school level, I appreciate being at an elementary school because students get to see how a team of young professionals educates and has fun daily. Kids ca...

Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution       This documentary was a beautifully inspiring story of joy, grit, and radical change.  The entire time I watched it I couldn't help but feel proud watching how a camp experience planted seeds of activism and hope within the hearts of those young people. The first thing that stood out to me was when one of the counselors said he just applied for a camp counselor job and didn't really know what it entailed. To see then how all of the counselors who applied for this job saw the importance of this camp and made sure that all the campers participated and had an enjoyable experience made my heart happy. As someone who runs a summer camp each year, I am always stressing to my staff that the campers will have fun if they see us have fun and Camp Jened did just that. Campers were allowed to be teenagers who happened to have a disability in comparison to when they're back home and are labeled disabled or handicapped then teens. For...

         The reading by John Bell, Understanding Adultism  was quite thought-provoking. The way Bell shined a light on the reality that children and youth are saying in many ways that we, the adults, are failing them is intense. It's really interesting to think about how adults know that we have such an impact on the children and youth of today and what we do now shapes their future, yet we don't regard them or their feelings. I've always said that no matter a child's age, what is going on in their life at this very moment is their whole world and to belittle their experience or current situation is detrimental to their development. I believe that Bell alluded to this throughout, especially when discussing the "emotional legacy" that weighs on the kids over time. One of the beliefs addressed in this article is that children have a role to play in society and when they step outside of that role they suffer the consequences. Bell writes about how there's...