See what' learning and networking opportunities will be available in 2010 through MCCOY's Learning Network. Download 2010 Preview.
Learn more about MCCOY's Learning Network.
It’s a good thing that I didn’t take to heart either of those negative comments –thanks to the supportive people around me and my courage and determination to prove them wrong. I frequently write long papers – mostly grants and make many public presentations with excellent feedback. I successfully graduated from nursing school, became a great nurse, received a graduate nursing degree with honors and have won awards for the work that I do. But yet those comments still haunt me 30 to 35 years later. Adults never know the impact of what they say to young people – so it should always be positive and show support.An 8th grade English teacher said – “You will never be good in English – not like your sister” The Nursing School Dean told me that “… maybe you should change your major because you aren’t going to make it through nursing school or be a good nurse”.
It’s easy for us to say we value young people and the programs that provide them opportunities to grow, learn, and connect with the community. But sometimes it’s hard to put good intentions into action. That’s where MCCOY’s Community Compacts for Youth come in. They’re designed to help you discover concrete ways to improve how you or your organization supports youth development in central Indiana.
Maybe you’re in healthcare and want to improve the ways your staff interacts with youth? Check out your Compact here. Or maybe you work in a faith-based community and want to ensure the people in your organization know about high-quality youth programs. Click here for your Compact.
After you sign yours and send it in, MCCOY will soon offer you the tools you need to make your commitments realities. If you already serve youth, add a comment below and link others to your programs and projects – the ways that others can fulfill their commitments and support your work.
It's not just teachers and youth workers who improve opportunities for young people -- everyone plays a role. Check out our Compact page today.
"It's not just 'Read to our kids and take them to the library,' " he said. "We need to take into account that chronic stress takes a toll not only on their health, but it may take a toll on their cognitive functioning."
Last year was the second year in a row that teen birth rates rose. Since 2005, the teen birth rate increased by 2% after 14 years of consistent decline. When it was reported that the teen pregnancy had risen across ethnic groups, popular responses ranged from, “see what happens when abstinence-only is taught in classrooms?” to “see what happens when there’s not enough abstinence-only taught in classrooms?” Of course, youth development professionals know that the issue is far more complex than that. While national and state education policies play an important role in determining what gets taught in the classroom, often the reality is that young people get a steady stream of mixed messages about health and sexuality.