What to do? Where to go?

As the weather gets colder, many of us are looking for things to do which are inside, especially for youngsters. Thankfully, Indianapolis always has a myriad of events going on, even ones for free.

Furthermore, many cultural institutions in Indianapolis offer special discounts, programs, and opportunities to accommodate a wide variety of budgets. For example, the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis offers a free one year membership to foster families. More information about this program and the application can be found here.

Other programs are also available to help make these fun learning opportunities more accessible. Conner Prairie Interactive History Park, the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, the NCAA Hall of Champions, Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, Terre Haute Children’s Museum, and the Indiana Historical Society all participate in the Access Pass program. This program allows families who are participating in state assistance programs, such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), nutritional assistance programs, or Hoosier Healthwise Insurance to attend these institutions for just $1 per person per visit. More information about the Access Pass program and the application can be found here.

Other programs are also out there to provide reduced prices or even free admission. The first Thursday of every month from 4 to 8pm, the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis offers free admission. The first Tuesday of each month, admission to the Eiteljorg Museum is free for children and students and only $5 for adults and seniors. The first Tuesday of every month, admission to the Indianapolis Zoo is reduced to $8 per person. Admission to the Indianapolis Museum of Art and gardens is free every day.

For a list of other events going on in Indianapolis, click here.

Inner-City Acheivement: Recognizing the Issues

Written by: Sara Smith (Americorps VISTA)

There are so many times where youth don't feel like their needs are being met. But if we (youth working organizations) are striving everyday to "fix" or resolve these issues, why aren't youth today vibrant and fulfilled?

I have an answer, simple as it may be...we don't know much about the reality of youth, because we are not living their lives every day. We can say things like, "I have been there before", or "I know what you mean", but realistically, times have changed. What we may have looked forward to, or what we may have needed as young adults growing up is rapidly changing.

How do we find the answer?
ASK THEM! Be a friend, and not a warden. Youth don't like when you talk at them, they love when you let them talk!

Want to know their "truth"?
Get on their "level" and try to understand what the issues are that they are facing. Too many times are we prescribing solutions that don't attack the true problems. Let's stop fighting a blind fight.  

Want to know the truth?
Invite your youth out to our "#WereJustSayin" event that will be held at WFYI on Novermber 16th, and let them have a voice, listen to their concerns, and find the RIGHT solution.

If you are a youth serving organization but don't have the time to bring youth? 
Email me at scox@mccoyouth.org, we will have special seating for organizations that wish to come out and lend an ear!

You Are One of the Smart People

Something that has really struck me in meetings since I started here at MCCOY is how different things are than I imagined. I remember reading a record review once where most of the songs were political in nature and the reviewer knocked the band for doing that because we should “leave politics up to the smart people”. At the time I thought that was a really poignant and correct statement. I mean, we’ve gotten this far as a species, surely the people involved in government and politics are doing something right…right?

 

The guy on the cover kind of looks like Noam Chomsky, which classifies this as a political journal…right?

            So fast-forward about 11 years from my 18 year old self reading punk rock ‘zine’s with intellectual names like “Razorcake” to 29-year-old me sitting in public policy meetings with different committees. There are a lot of smart, talented, and creative people involved in creating public policy in the state of Indiana, but sometimes I’m amazed that they did not think of something, for example, what kind of training school resource officers should go through and who can administer that training. There are a lot of good ideas out there right now that you would think were already in place like co-location, improved public transit in Indianapolis, and comprehensive bullying prevention. But sometimes they’re not, and what they need are enthusiastic voices to help get them moving. There are also some not so great ideas out there like arming teachers and banning same-sex marriage in our state. The smart people are there, and they have an idea of what needs to be done, and it’s usually a pretty good idea. But the problem with democracy is that we’re all “the smart people”. Our system is designed for the people and by the people, and it relies and participation.

            Understandably, some people do not have time to get overly active in the political process. But something I’ve really learned so far through this practicum experience is that there is no magic bus that drives around capturing smart and talented people that then drops them off at the State House where they magically make good policy that covers every potential loophole and liability. It’s what I wanted to believe, but that’s just not the case. Its people like you and I, who get involved, make our voices heard, and ensure that the laws and policies that come out of the State House are inclusive, fair, just, and sensible that can help make good policy come out of the State House. As corny as this may come off, the smart people are here, and you’re one of them.