Learning about Learning

I recently attended a session at the IYI Kids Count Conference that explored the struggles that young boys encounter in the classroom. I was astounded by some of the statistics: 80% of discipline issues involve young boys, 80% of learning disabilities are attributed to boys, boys receive 70% of failing grades, and boys are typically 1 to 1.5 years behind girls in reading and writing skills. Based on these numbers, it is no surprise that boys are more likely to drop out of school and less likely to pursue higher education.

The speakers provided some neurological explanations for these eye-opening statistics. Until age 19, an average girl’s frontal lobe (the decision-making, logical part of the brain) is 25% larger than the average boy’s frontal lobe. Girls also have 15% more blood flow to the brain and develop language skills much earlier than boys. All of these statistics (from the Journal of Pediatric Studies, 2009) demonstrate the importance of teaching in a manner that facilitates learning for both boys and girls. Since boys often do better with kinesthetic and visuospatial learning, the program speakers emphasized the importance of providing an outlet for physical play, utilizing visual props, and also giving opportunities for friendly competition.

As I reflected on the significance of this workshop, I realized that the topic speaks to a broader issue regarding education. While this session specifically illustrated the differences between male and female childhood learning, this is not the only distinction that educators and youth service providers must consider. Children who come from different socioeconomic and racial backgrounds also face unique societal obstacles that may impede their learning. We must recognize the social and biological factors that influence learning and try to accommodate learning differences as much as possible in order to help ALL young people develop into empowered, capable, contributing citizens.

MCCOY seeking volunteers for January events

On the evenings of Tuesday January 24^th and 31^st, MCCOY will be partnering with the faith-based organization Samaritan’s Feet to provide brand new shoes to all 100 of the children enrolled in our Attend to Your Future program. We are seeking 20 volunteers to assist with washing and measuring the children’s feet, then fitting them with shoes. We are very excited about this partnership and hope that you will assist us. If you are interested in helping on one of the nights, please contact me at Alyssa.Newerth@mccoyouth.org or 921-1229.

The softer side of roller derby

Almost exactly a year ago, I was able to check off one of my major short term goals in life: become a member of a roller derby team. The day I made the Naptown Roller Girls, was literally one of the best days in my life. When I made the team, I was excited about the sport. Full contact hitting and blocking while skating seemed like the perfect extracurricular activity for me. Not to mention, it created a chance for me to produce an alter ego for myself. In tennis shoes, I'm a social work student, a wife, and a child care worker. As soon as I lace up those skates, I'm Lyndsanity, crazed and hungry for victory. Well...that's always the goal.

Not only is the sport unique and aggressive, but through my career as a roller girl, I have been able to meet some fabulous women from all walks of life. Women of different ages, backgrounds, religions, cultures, and careers all come together to make one eclectic group of bad-ass women. The camaraderie is impressive to behold. Through broken limbs and even broken hearts, a roller girl always know she has her roller derby family to back her up with support and love; especially with NRG.

When I made the team, I knew I would get involved with some impressive people, but I didn't realize how much NRG gives back to the community of Indianapolis. Each month we participate in multiple events in the area, most recently we skated at the Tonic Ball in Fountain Square (which was a benefit for Second Helpings), talked to a girl scout troop about what becoming strong and courageous women, and participated in an open skate for the Boys and Girls Club.

We also donate a portion of our ticket profits to a charity after each home bout at the Pepsi Coliseum. A few of our 2012 charities include, Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Special Olympics, Pedal for Peace, and Indy Reads.

I guess the point that I'm trying to make is that the Naptown Roller Girls are awesome, and I'm one lucky girl to be a part of such an empowering, strong, and generous group of women. If you don't know anything about roller derby, you should come check us out. Our next home bout is on December 17 at the Pepsi Coliseum. Bring a date, bring your family, or hop in the car with a group of friends.

This picture was taken at my first bout.
Our team is in white, and we won! I'm the one with the goofy smile on my face...oh wait, that's all of us.
Photo by Tom Klubens

This league of athletes is a lot bigger than the women who put on skates 3 times a week at practice. It's about the fans, the community, being a role model, and giving of yourself.

http://naptownrollergirls.com/

Written by: Lyndsey Mundell
IU School of Social Work

Child Hunger in Schools

It is all about the children. Is it really? No matter how many times you’ve seen this statement in America’s classrooms or license plates this universally holds truer than any other time in our history. One in every five children in the U.S. is living in poverty. The rate of households without sufficient access to food is rising. If a child suffers from hunger then how is anyone to become an active citizen? Even more relevant to their hunger is their inability to focus on academics when they’re worried about their stomachs eating themselves. Unfortunately our actions as a seemingly just society and the world’s wealthiest nation have fallen short of good intentions for children. We have dropped the ball continuously when it comes to the welfare of our country’s youth. Our countries reactionary legislation and policies to combat ongoing societal issues such as child hunger will destroy any hope for a better future. Preventative programs and policies should be enacted right now on all levels of government and communities to ensure that food is reaching hungry kids.  The research is there and the facts are laid out. Too many kids are starving. One area of great significance and opportunity is hunger in America’s schools. Many children qualify for federally reimbursed programs for free meals but many children and families do not apply or even know this. Many public schools have taken on the responsibility of serving free breakfast before school commences and getting the word out to kids’ families about free or reduced price meals. Principals and school staff are even starting programs that help kids take food home at the end of their school days to help them and their families get through the weekend. Other ideas stem from schools creating after school supper programs and bringing in farmer's markets to schools whose children do not live near any source of food. Defeating hunger has become a focus point for schools this day and age. This is a glimmer of hope. We can only hope that other U.S. schools are taking charge to do what is right for their children in supplying them with food. Shouldn't ensuring kids a healthy start and successful education deal not only with test performance but also the necessities of living such as clothing, a safe place to be, food, health care? This is not a problem that is new yet the majority seems to be surprised and uneducated about this issue. We need to start living like it is all about the children. I've provided a link to Share Our Strength, a leading organization in fighting child hunger. Please visit this site and think about what is happening in your community schools and the ways you can contribute to eradicating child hunger in America and hopefully someday the world. Donate, educate, and be part of the solution.

http://www.strength.org/childhood_hunger/hunger_facts/

Undoing Racism in Marion County

Recent attendance at workshops and trainings focused on racism has provoked profound questions in regards to the work done at MCCOY. How does racism affect the population we serve? How is racism intertwined with child poverty? How effective are our programs and initiatives in regards to addressing the institutionalization of racism?

While some policies are designed to level the playing field, minorities in the US are still at a severe disadvantage and continue to suffer as a result. One way to understand this concept is with the analogy of a Monopoly board: Imagine a group of people decide to play a game of Monopoly but half the group is privileged with a 2 hour head start. Those asked to wait will be much less likely to own property and to have a reserve of money. While a game of Monopoly can simply start over with a clean slate, the reality is a lot of time and energy are required to undo the 200 year head start given to white Americans.

Imagine a scenario in which dozens of people are drowning in a river and we are trying to pull them out and help them dry off. At some point a few people decide to go upstream to investigate why so many people are falling into the river. By addressing the root of the problem, they presume, fewer people will fall in the river in the first place. While we as service-providers have been working hard to address the obvious RESULTS of systemic disparities, perhaps we could use a few people to go upstream to address the CAUSES of social inequalities.

The only constant in life is change. Our efforts will influence whether that inevitable change will be productive or destructive for society. I hope that MCCOY’s work will help members of our community live more fulfilling, vibrant lives and will help people emerge from the cycles of poverty and institutionalized racism.

My Perspective on Bullying:

Written by Ashley Flippen, IUPUI School of Social Work

Bullying in my eyes is unacceptable. I feel like there are times when it is taken too lightly and not dealt with properly. Especially in the school systems. I have a second cousin who went to a private catholic school and she is partially deaf. She has hearing aides to help her hear. She is 20 years old and has a speech problem due to being partially deaf. She came home one day crying to her parents saying she never wanted to go back to school. When her parents asked why she said that there are girls that are making fun of her because she couldn’t talk right. They even pushed her down on the playground and turned up her hearing aids so they would ring. And if you don’t know when that happens it is very painful for the person that has them. Her parents were outraged and went to the principle office to talk with them. When telling the principle the story he said that there was nothing they could do because none of the teachers or anyone had seen these actions. The principle assured her parents that nothing like that would ever happen in this particular school. Her parents were frustrated but let it go this time. They talked to their daughter and told her if it happened again to go straight to the teacher. A few months passed and the students started picking on her but this time would do it when the teacher wasn’t around so my cousin couldn’t tell. She went home again crying and her parents went to the principle office again. Still they wouldn’t do anything. Her parents ended up pulling her and her brother out of the school because of this.

All of this could have been avoided in my eyes if the principle had dealt with it from the beginning. I feel like the teachers or principle should have set the students who were doing the teasing down and given them punishment. This is a prime example of the education system brushing bullying under the rug instead of dealing with it firsthand.

What We Didnt Know!!

I am the middle child of five amazing siblings. I have two older sister and a younger brother and sister. We were raised by two great partents, our father a Pastor and our mother a Social Worker. They raised us to be very respectful, kind and curtious to all people even at times when we didnt recieve the same respect back. And my older sister knew this all to well. By the age of 16 she was pregnant with her first child. I was 14 at the time and was very upset at the news. I told my sister I hated her and asked her so many questions as to why she would make the stupid decision of having a baby at such a young age. "How could you ruin our family and go against all of the values our parents taught us." I asked. She never replied to me, she spent many days in her room, and around the house and I would walk past saying nothing to her. She went to school being ridiculed and talked about for being the young pregnant girl, who's father is a pastor. She was talked about for being shy, quiet and with drawn and ultimately, once having the baby she was hospitalized for trying to commit suicide..... In my mind I just didn't understand her. But after years of family counseling it was all made clear. WHAT WE DIDNT KNOW..... she had been raped by a man in the church... and molested by her uncle. And every week she faced the two of these men at a service or at a family function. Seeing them constantly reminded her of what happened to her along with them saying to her, " If you ever tell, Ill kill you". My heart hurt so bad after finding this out. Our family in shock, my sister weaping alligator tears what where we to do??????? So ultimately I ask you, love on people who are not like you, forgive those who make mistakes, pray for the ones who are different from you, and embrace all people. You could make a difference in someones life just lending an open ear.... and remember there is always something about them that you dont know... What We Didnt Know

The "Not-So" Perfect Childhood

To the residents in the small town I grew up in I was a part of the "perfect" family. I had a father, a mother, and two sisters. My sisters and I were all very active in school and sports. Little did the community know we were a broken family with a father deep into alcohol abuse. As we grow from children to adolescents we begin to notice what is really going on and gain an understanding of abuse, along with the embarrassment of having a parent suffer from any kind of substance abuse. The issue with alcoholism is that it does not only affect the individual who is suffering from the "sickness" it affects the entire family, especially a teenager who is now beginning to gain an understanding of substance abuse. It's unfortunate for many children and adolescents who have to deal with any kind of substance abuse, particularly in such crucial transitional period in an individual's life. To me, alcoholism was my biggest weakness growing up, but now it's one of my many strengths. Because of the emotional and physical abuse in my childhood I consider myself I stronger person. I do not consider myself a product of my environment but I do use my children hood environment as a motivator. I am motivated to stay on task and follow a positive path (that I have created myself) to accomplish the goals that my incompetent father discouraged. I hope that other children/adolescents can use their "not-so" perfect child hood and their environment to make positive decisions and stay motivated until they have accomplished their own goals, without the negative discouragement from others.

Responsibility to Report

As a student social worker I know it is my responsibility to report any abuse of children, elders, or group of people that may not be able to speak for themselves. It would be unethical and equally incriminating of me to not report and allow any such abuse to continue. However, some organizations do not share this belief. Allow me to share an experience I had with this type of mentality.

For the three years I worked at my church’s outreach shelter. It was one of the most rewarding experiences and the most heartbreaking. I grew very close to many of the kids and have had the privilege of watching them grow. For me, working at the shelter was more than just having Sunday School and a Bible Study once a week. I started “Homework Help Night” and a clothes closet for the shelter. I did bread runs along with Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner drop- offs. The one problem that seemed to grow over the years was the church’s ignorance of abuse in the children. Sadly, the church adopted a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.

In February 2010, a little girl I had taken care of for three years started to have a very aggressive and disrespectful attitude. I sat her down and told her that I couldn’t continue to be responsible for her if she didn’t listen to me. She then showed me bruises on her arms and took me to the bathroom to show me bruises in between her legs. She said when her mom left the house her boyfriend’s friends would hit her. I asked her what she wanted me to do and she said, “Please tell my mommy.” When I took her home I tried to talk to her mom, who I had become close with as well, but she defended the men. After I took the little girl home from church that night, a man was waiting for me. He tried to pay me off not to tell what I had seen. I went to my church leaders and demanded something be done. I had been to them about abuse before, but my concerns were always set aside. This time I did not stop. The church let me report the incident as a representative of the church.

After I reported the incident, they told me I was not allowed at the shelter anymore, because I was a liability. Soon after, the outreach pastor and authority overseeing the shelter asked me, “How many children have situations at home that should probably be reported?” I told him at least half. I’ll never forget what he told me. He said, “You see, if we reported every incident of child abuse, we wouldn’t have anyone to witness to.” While that ideology may be conducive to a religious organization, I knew I could never be a part of a success at the expense of a child.

Sadly, this is not an isolated incident. This blog is in no way attacking any church organization or generalizing this type of carelessness with religion. As a victim of child abuse, a woman, and as a student social worker interested in child welfare; I feel it is imperative that we uphold our responsibility to report and advocate for those who can not speak for themselves.

Why it's Important to Become a Child Advocate...

By: Tracy McDaniel, IUPUI Student Social Worker

I decided to become a Child Advocate in May of 2011. I was looking for a volunteer position that I could work with children and hopefully make a difference along the way. When I started my training, I didn't realize how many children didn't have an advocate. In Marion county alone their is a 500 child waiting list, which is not including surrounding counties.

Can you imagine not having a voice? It's hard to comprehend not having your voice heard, exspecially when it comes to our children and teenagers. Every child that goes without an advocate loses the opportunity to have someone speak on their behalf. I've taken away many lessons from becoming a child advocate. The most important lesson is that as human beings and citizens we have a responsibility to advocate for our children and teenagers.

It's not any easy responsibility, but the reward of knowing you are helping and giving a voice is a true blessing. I would encourage anyone interested to contact a child advocate agency in Indianapolis. I volunteer 6 hours a month, easy right? Each of us can prioritize our time to give a child 6 hours a month. It's been such a blessing being able to give my time. I hope that by writing this blog you become curious about child advocacy.

"There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children." Nelson Mandela

Late elementary years, a vulnerable stage in life...

Kayleen Jones, Student Social Worker at IUPUI

Have you ever really thought about what it is like in child’s shoes on an everyday basis at school? A child from the ages of 6-12 can be a very vulnerable individual that will go through a lot of challenges while being in school. The time when children get into older elementary stage they start the “awkward” phase. This is when they feel like no one likes them such as friends, teachers, and family members. This period of their life is very important to receive love and encouragement from those around them. Children at this stage also see children from the other sex as “gross” or to have “cooties”. This is because they can relate better to the same sex so, they have all same sex friends. Also at this stage children start rebelling as a way to cope with feeling insecure and out of place. Even though we see rebelling as behavioral tendencies to get attention there might really be something wrong deep down. This is when they also begin to mock what their elders do and begin get values and morals from those around them. This stage of childhood is crucial to a child’s social development. The parents role in the child’s life is very important and they will begin to understand if and why a parent is not involved with their life. Children are our future and we need to help them develop into intelligent young adults to help them succeed in all that they will do.