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December Youth Champion - Alice Weber

Each month The Real MCCOY will be shining a spotlight on hard working Youth Development
Professionals and the great work they and their organizations do. This month’s interview is with the Ransburg YMCA’s Alice Weber. Like YMCAs across the nation the Ransburg’s mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. Check out the interview below to learn more about Alice Weber and her work with the YMCA:

1)    Why did you want to go into this line of work?
This began as a part time job. I have a passion for working with kids. So when I first came into town with my young children working at the YMCA presented an opportunity where I could work with kids and spend time with my own. Eventually my position grew and I had the opportunity to do more and more.

(her)I started out working part time at YMCA. I was new in town and had young children and working had opportunity to bring them with me and it expanded from there. I have a passion for working with kids. Have a passion for working with kids. And working at the YMCA gave me a chance to do that. Eventually my position grew and allowed me the opportunity to do more.

2)    What was your first day on the job like?
It was exciting. I was working with six to twelve year olds and I had to figure out how to interact with children in this age group. My children were young so I had no experience with children in this age group. Since then I’ve been able to grow, and gained more experience. The more time I spend with children, the better I can understand them and their development. With kids, you never know what each day will be like. You can organize an entire day, and may not go according to plan.

3)    What is most rewarding about your job?
It is the opportunity to make an impact on so many lives. Outside of this position I wouldn’t have this opportunity. I work with kids ages six weeks to eighteen years old, and it is a lot of fun.  There is one youth I have known since he was 8 years old. I followed him through high school, and then attended his first college football game. I can step in and fill role of adoptive parent and I can be positive person in their lives. I can be a parental figure, but I don’t have to be the one who has to say no.

4)    What is the most challenging part of your job?
One of the challenges I face is not having the resources to do the activities I would like to do. Dealing with teenagers and their attitudes is also challenging. They’re a little headstrong and it’s their way to do things. They have to learn the hard way.

5)    How has MCCOY helped your organization succeeded or grow?
I have only recently learned about MCCOY. I would like to get more involved with the organization based on what I’ve read. It seems like an amazing opportunity and partnership.

6)    Where do you see yourself and your organization in five years?
I hope that I am impacting more youth and that I am able to expand some of our programs in the community in order to make impact on more youth. This past spring we started a man-to-man mentoring group for boys thirteen and up. We have a group of boys who regularly attend and we want to expand this group into the community to have bigger impact. And even though it is a male mentoring group I still like to support and help with the group.

We’d like to thank Ms. Weber for taking the time to answer our questions. For more information about the Ransburg YMCA check out their website: http://www.indymca.org/centers/ransburg/center-news/.

Creating Creativity

Written by Leon Golden

Creativity is becoming a major key to success in today's workplace. Many modern careers require employees to step outside the confines of their formal education, and embrace a more interdisciplinary approach to problem solving. Unfortunately, the innate creativity and curiosity of childhood is generally squelched by the time the child reaches adulthood. Many have made the observation that formal educational systems worldwide were designed for industrial societies. Education author and speaker Ken Robinson has said that “our education system has mined our minds in the way that we strip-mine the earth: for a particular commodity.” So the question is posed here, how can we foster creativity in ourselves and in our children?

Rather than yielding to despair, let's be creative and take a more divergent path; where we are is often the framework within which we must work.

•    Emphasize the process, not the product. It's increasingly important that people be taught not what to think, but rather how to think.
•    Encourage exploration and play. Engaging an individual's innate curiosity aids in the development of the mind and imagination.
•    Be observant of the world and nature. Encouraging thoughtful observation helps develop capacity for divergent thinking by making connections that may not initially be obvious.
•    Encourage reading. Studies have shown that reading fiction helps to expand the reader's imagination; reading nonfiction helps to broaden the reader's perspective of the world.

While not an exhaustive list, these ideas will help to exercise the "creativity muscle" in our brains. Research in neuroscience and cognitive psychology has shown that the brain is highly plastic and can change for the better, regardless of age. While a child's impressionable mind is easier to form, we can all benefit by fostering an environment of creativity, curiosity, and wonder.

2014 Interim Study Committee Update

The Interim Study Committees have finished meeting and most have issued their final reports.  Two that MCCOY were following related to education and criminal code, have issued recommendations that MCCOY will be advocating for during the 2015 session.  Although neither committee put forward any preliminary drafts for legislation, it is anticipated that there will be legislation filed during session.

Interim Study Committee on Corrections and Criminal Code - http://iga.in.gov/documents/2cb2f002

• Recorded Interrogations of Juveniles - the Committee recommended that legislation be filed in the next session requiring the record of interrogations of juveniles, but without impairing the administration of school functions.
• Mandatory Appointment of Counsel in Juvenile Proceedings - the Committee voted to recommend that funding be made available to implement the mandatory appoint of counsel in juvenile cases.
• Risk Assessment in Juvenile Delinquency Determinations and Case Planning, and Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative - the Committee voted to recognize the risk assessment by the Juvenile Delinquency Alternatives Initiative and to recommend that counties continue to implement risk assessment practices.
• Juvenile Court Jurisdiction and Direct File to Adult Court - the Committee agreed to recommend that the General Assembly needs to address the range of ages in the juvenile waiver statute and that the Criminal Justice Institute or the Division of Court Administration should collect data concerning the number of direct file charges of juveniles in adult court.
• Repeal of Statutes Regarding Status Offenders in Secure Detention - the Committee voted to recommend that status offenders should not be housed in the Department of Correction.

Interim Study Committee on Education - http://iga.in.gov/documents/d607990a

• The Committee finds Early Learning Advisory Committee and Family and Social Services Administration are adequately preparing to implement Indiana’s early learning pilot program.
• The Committee recognizes there is an issue with the reporting of discipline data and recommends additional reporting standards.
• The Committee recommends finding alternatives to expulsion and suspension for all students, with a special focus on truancy. This recommendation was adopted by consent.
• The Committee recommends finding alternatives to expulsion and suspension for all students, with a special focus on eliminating disparities for minorities and other disadvantaged groups.

Help ensure youth have a voice in the policies and laws affecting their lives. Learn more here.

November Youth Champion: Chris Tolliver

Each month The Real MCCOY will be shining a spotlight on hard working Youth Development

Professionals and the great work they and their organizations do. This month’s interview is with the Avondale Meadows YMCA’s Youth and Family Lead Chris Tolliver. The Avondale Meadow’s branch of the YMCA opened in August 2013. Like YMCAs across the nation the Avalon Meadow’s mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. Check out the interview below to learn more about Chris Tolliver and his work with the YMCA:
Why did you want to go into this line of work?
I have a passion for helping people.  When I was a child I went to camp at the YMCA and then took a few trainings that qualified me to be a camp counselor. 
I love working with the Teens and helping them to become successful students and citizens.  I feel it was a calling for me to work with the youth.  I enjoy what I do so much that it doesn't feel like a job then I go to work.  By me being in the position to make a difference in the lives of the youth in our communities it makes me feel great about the work we do.

What was your first day on the job like?
I was 14 years old and started on a Monday at an Afterschool program.  I was young, excited, and eager to learn.  I really learned a lot from my first boss and he made a lasting impression on me and my future with the YMCA.  Since that first day of work I have been with the YMCA for 28 years now. 

 What is most rewarding about your job?
The most rewarding thing about my job is when I see my students do great things like when I see them graduate from high school and go on to college. The Youth and Government program that I run at the Avondale Meadows YMCA has been awarded the Prestigious Delegation Award from the Youth & Government state program.  Students in our delegation currently hold 4 of the 5 top state offices in the YMCA Youth & Government program including Governor. 

It is also rewarding when I see families getting gifts for their children at a Toys For Tots gifts giveaway from a partnership I formed with the Marine Corps in 1999.  This toy drive has grown over the last 14 years and currently serves almost 5,000 kids per year.

What is the most challenging part of your job?
The most challenging part of my job is when students don't excel and don't maximize their talents.  When a student that I work with doesn't go to college or into a trade I sometimes question myself and what could I have done different to help them reach those goals. 

How has MCCOY helped your organization succeeded or grow?
The MCCOY has helped our organization in many ways to be successful.  The monthly meetings put us in contact with other youth organizations and provide a wealth of information about resources.  They also help us form partnerships and give opportunities for our youth

Where do you see yourself and your organization in five years?
I see us helping more students and moving closer to having a 100% going to college rate from the students in our college readiness program in the next 5 years.  I also see us assisting more families with Christmas help and resources for the holiday season.

We’d like to thank Mr. Tolliver for taking the time to answer our questions. For more information about the Avondale Meadows YMCA check out their website: http://www.indymca.org/centers/avondale-meadows/center-news/.

October Youth Champion Award: Marion L. Robinson

Each month The Real MCCOY will be shining a spotlight on hard working Youth Development Professionals and the great work they and their organizations do. This month’s interview is with Lillian Davis Foundation, Inc.’s Executive Director, Marion L. Robinson. Founded in 2007, Lillian Davis Foundation, Inc. continues the legacy of Mrs. Lillian M. Davis by working to make school services available for elementary students both in and out of school, and improving the quality of education for children. The Lillian Davis Foundation, Inc. is working to create a neighborhood for children and families that will provide educational opportunities, safety, and economic growth. Check out the interview below to learn more about Ms. Marion L. Robinson and the organization:

1)      Why did you want to go into this line of work?

The Lillian Davis Foundation is a foundation that is named after my mother. My brother and I founded the organization because youth work was important to my mother. We chose it because it fit with our mother’s legacy.

2)      What was your first day on the job like?

My first day on the job was the day we launched the organization and it was full of excitement and the opportunity of those who expressed desires to support the community, and expressed the desire to support us.

3)      What is most rewarding about your job?

Personally, giving back. It is very rewarding to continue what my parents instilled in me by giving back to the community and being a part of that effort.

4)      What is the most challenging part of your job?

As a small organization, it’s always the fundraising. It is challenging when you have to work on volunteer support laborers. The most challenging part is to move from volunteer to hire staff.

5)      How has MCCOY helped your organization succeeded or grow?

MCCOY has helped me in many ways. As executive director I’ve been given many opportunities for leadership development because of access to workshops. These workshops have kept me current with best practices and current with other organizations. MCCOY has helped us institute summer programming and training for youth workers in summer programs and leadership programs.

6)      Where do you see yourself and your organization in five years?

My prayer and hope is that we will still be providing services to the community. I hope that our community partner relationships will grow; that we’re making a collective impact with youth with developing skills, and preparing them for life. I would like to see how the youth we’ve touched have developed and see how the work has paid off.

We’d like to thank Ms Robinson for taking the time to answer our questions. For more information about Lillian Davis Foundation, Inc. check out their website: http://lilliandavisfndn.org/.

Programs Teach Youth Attitudes & Behaviors to Keep Jobs

Written by: John Brandon, President of MCCOY

I realize that the school year is only 6-7 weeks along, but it is not too soon to talk about an important issue for young people in our community:  summer employment.  While many youth organizations don’t have the budget to actually hire youth (though some do and provide a great work experience for youth!), many youth serving agencies are in a position to help young people who participate in their programs develop the workplace skills that are absolutely necessary for success in the workplace, not only now, but throughout their work career.

Youth programs are the places where young people learn how to work with others, solve problems, develop critical thinking and analysis, communicate through writing and speaking, take on leadership roles, and develop responsibility.  Employers will say “I can teach somebody how to do the job but I can’t teach them to have the attitudes and behaviors which will help them keep it.”  That’s what youth programs do best.

  

If we think of summer jobs as a part of a broader strategy for addressing poverty, as the Brookings Institute suggests in an article entitled “Expanding Summer Employment Opportunities for Low-Income Youth”, we can see that summer employment not only provides a job and money in the pocket, it also serves as an encouragement to do well in school, increases individual maturity, and decreases negative behaviors.  There is even some evidence that developing workplace skills actually increases college completion rates!  That’s a good thing for youth and for our community.

These are all signs that point to the importance of a strong youth development sector in our community that prepares youth for education, work, life, and community involvement.  MCCOY is all about making sure that sector is in place for the young people of our community.  We’re glad you are working with us!