Racial Discrimination

Submitted by kahoople on Thu, 02/09/2012 - 17:11

the problem:

The mental health of our children and youth is an incredibly important issue in today’s society. Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death for adolescents and the third leading cause of death for those slightly younger than adolescents. The CDC reports that 14% of youth between 9th and 12th grade have thought about suicide, and 11% have actually made a specific plan for committing the act.* Mental health concerns are particularly high for more marginalized populations, as many of these individuals are in high risk environments. For example, in a nationally representative survey of a youth in an inner city environment, 8% reported a lifetime prevalence of sexual assault, 17% reported experiencing physical assault, and 39% reported witnessing violence.** Exposure to trauma of this kind is clearly linked to a higher preponderance of behavioral and mental health difficulties in youth. However, these same mental health issues continue to be heavily stigmatized by our culture. This prevents many youth from coming forward with their difficulties, and not enough youth are aware of the fact that there are people available to help them. Furthermore, few youth realize how common it actually is to struggle with these kinds of issues. These are problems I want to address – I want to make children and youth in my community, particularly those in inner city New York, realize that they are not alone in struggling with these issues, and that there is help out there.
*www.astorservices.org/finding-out-teen-suicide-prevention.php
**www.nctsn.org

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why it's important:

This cause is incredibly important to me, for a variety of reasons. I’ve worked intimately with children and youth in a variety of settings, from being a camp counselor to a trusted nanny, and I know how important and wonderful this population is. I also am still a youth myself – at 22 I don’t think I quite count as a full-fledged grown up yet! The idea of those younger than me and like me struggling with mental health issues in silence is terrible, and is something I want to battle against. This is a fight I am already fighting in many ways, working as a research aide at Astor Services for Children and Families, based in Rhinebeck, NY, trying to find out more about the problems that youth struggle with and the best ways to solve them. Astor is a not-for-profit behavioral health agency that provides services to children of all ages in a variety of settings, ranging from community health programs to residential treatment. We serve children throughout the Mid-Hudson Valley region and the Bronx. Through Astor, I’d like to start spreading mental health awareness by speaking at schools and other youth-serving organizations. I’d like to spread mental health awareness by disseminating both current mental health facts and statistics and the stories of the clients we currently serve at Astor, written by the clients themselves. If possible, I’d like to even bring current Astor clients to speak to other children and youth about their experiences and struggles with mental health. It has been shown that both hearing about other’s struggles, as well as sharing one’s own struggles, can help children and youth persevere and endure difficult life circumstances.* Spreading mental health awareness will also help to dispel stigma. I’d also like to include in these talks information on how to go about receiving mental health services, empowering those that need help to get the process of getting help going. I believe that the sharing of children and youth’s stories, as well as the spreading of other information related to mental health awareness, will have a profound impact on both the youth we already serve at Astor and those in the community that still need our help.
* On Playing a Poor Hand Well, by Mark Katz

the plan of action:

In order to spread mental health awareness, I’d like to start visiting schools and other organizations that serve children and youth, starting with the Bronx and Mid-Hudson Valley, and beyond if possible. I’d like to bring with me dissemination materials, like brochures filled with facts on mental health and the stories of current clients. Hopefully, I will also be able to bring along with me some support staff to participate in these talks as well. I’d also like to, if possible, bring clients with me on these talks to share their stories – this would require support staff to ensure the well-being of youth that accompany me on these trips. I’d also like to bring with me information on how to start receiving mental health services, and for each site I go to, be prepared with information specific to mental health services in that site’s area. Ideally, I’d like to do these talks at least twice a month for a year or longer, coming into contact with as many children and youth as possible. By accomplishing these goals, I feel that my project will have a deep impact on everyone I reach, and that this impact will disperse outwards as those I am able to talk to share what they have learned with others.

how you can get involved:

Anyone can help with this project. Simply talking about mental health issues in a knowledgeable and caring way helps dispel stigma, and helps increase the chance that children and youth that need help will seek it. Anyone that is present at these information sessions I hope to hold will then also be able to spread this information. They say knowledge is power, and in the case of mental health awareness, that is certainly true. I want to spread that power!

project updates:

Submitted by manigau2 on Thu, 02/09/2012 - 16:57

the problem:

I would like to help brown skin girls to gain confidence and believe they are just as beautiful as anyone else. Dark Skin africian american girls have identity issue at times.

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why it's important:

Growing up I was picked on and judge for being a dark complected black girl. At times I wished I could get light just to get acceptance.

the plan of action:

I would like to get young girls (middle school and high school) to come together share their stories and form a bond. I want them to know its okay to be dark skin.

how you can get involved:

Having enrichment courses and mentors for these young ladies.

project updates:

Submitted by carlitomakavelli on Wed, 02/08/2012 - 01:14

the problem:

We plant seeds in urban. Areas we cal it the money tree we bring the people of the area to help of planting then once everyone knows each other on better terms they help each other many ways just from planting a few seeds

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why it's important:

I grew up by myself I don't want my future my child to live the same way

the plan of action:

Go to urban areas bring the people in. The area together

how you can get involved:

n/a

project updates:

Submitted by SamMartin55 on Tue, 02/07/2012 - 12:52

the problem:

My school and community uses the word retarded and gay and slurs and put downs. I have become disgusted with the use derrogative use of these words. I am starting a campaign through my school called " Spread the Word to End the Word". It is a campaign against using racial slurs as well as other derrogatory slurs, mainly focusing on the use of the word retard.

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why it's important:

This is important to me because I have seen many peoplee hurt by the use of racial slurs and put downs. They hurt and people don't see the impact of their words.

the plan of action:

I am planning on having an assembly and introducing this campaign. I plan on having students take a pledge against using these slurs and other put downs, as well as selling shirts and stickers. I am also considering starting a club in my school.

how you can get involved:

Others can help by joining the club or by even just taking the pledge. This campaign can reach everybody in my community as we as other outlying communities.

project updates:

Submitted by The Collective on Wed, 02/01/2012 - 13:14

the problem:

We believe that one of the biggest challenges facing young organizers is navigating internal group dynamics. Whether it is teens, college students, volunteers, parents or community members fighting together for a specific cause, there are inevitably moments in these struggles when group members are faced with difficult decisions and potential conflicts. Often times these complex internal dynamics can be the biggest barrier a group may face when working on a campaign or project.

Through workshops on non-violent communication, consensus decision making and non-hierarchical leadership, we hope to promote alternative strategies and tools for organizing at the grassroots level. Our goal is to alleviate much of the stress and anxiety that can come from working in a group setting, and provide creative techniques for collaborative work.

We also believe that the way we are with each other reflects the way we are in the world. By this we mean that if we can radically change our relationships to be more harmonious, peaceful and cooperative, we have the capacity to create entire communities in the same way.

vital stats:

people impacted:

200

people involved:

why it's important:

The members of The Collective first met in 2007 while participating in a study abroad program. There were 28 students on an epic journey across the world, and establishing effective and democratic group norms was a key component of our trip. For us, the exploration of these issues came first out of necessity. In order to survive our nine months together, we had to devise ways to interact, make decisions and handle conflict.
It was during this time abroad that many of us discovered the importance of collaborative decision making and ways in which non-hierarchical leadership can create a space where all voices are respected and heard. Ultimately, by the end of our time together, we were deeply committed to working with each other and others on developing new processes for communicating and organizing in groups.

the plan of action:

Since 2010, we have taught numerous workshops to college students, young adults, small progressive nonprofits, and co-ops in the region. We have promoted our work through word of mouth and other networks with which we are familiar.

In addition to teaching in-person workshops, we have written, designed and published materials on communication and community-building techniques.

With a seed grant of $500, we could significantly expand the content and scope of our workshop, as well as produce a more comprehensive resource guide and workbook on consensus and alternative forms of decision making.

how you can get involved:

Others can be involved by attending our workshops and teaching others! We believe that the material and content of our workshops and publications should be widely distributed, and that everyone can benefit from these resources.

If others have an interest in teaching the materials with members of the collective, and getting directly involved, we would be happy to discuss that possibility.

project updates:

Submitted by roger2286 on Wed, 02/01/2012 - 12:57

the problem:

The Problem im planning to solve is hunger, homelessness, batterd woman, sick, poor, religious pratcie i school, troubled youth etc..

vital stats:

people impacted:

100

people involved:

why it's important:

It is important to me cause i hate to see my society go down hill and suffer from poverty. I came from a rough childhood and i know what it feels like not to have nothing i just want to give back and bea ble to help and give back to all.

the plan of action:

My plan to open up more shelter facilities food programs, build more schools and universities, afterschool programs keep kids engaged.

how you can get involved:

I need funding, dedicated people who will help and fight for the cause. Support and a better network to reachout to american society

project updates:

rosaparks897.jpg

There are many monumental moments in Black History in the past 100 years. Whether it is breaking a color barrier or simply selling CDs, African Americans have come a long way since the 1920s.

Submitted by ilovedreams13 on Sun, 01/29/2012 - 16:32

the problem:

I want to give kids or teens a chance to go somewhere they feel safe when bullied. People who get bullied want an escape or don't know how to handle it and this project will create a camp that helps teach them how to deal with being bullied and making new friends that will help get them through all the hard times.

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why it's important:

I was bullied growing up because I was overweight and honestly I have bullied a couple kids and I felt bad about it, so I want to make up for that and help kids who get treated poorly.

the plan of action:

My plan of action is to create a camp where kids who get bullied can go. I want this place to be calming and fun. Camp administrators can do crafts with the kids or play games, maybe even have a couple animals in the camp for kids to be with. I want to do anything for the kids that will make them feel comfortable even if it takes everything I have.

how you can get involved:

Others can volunteer to help work in the camp and do things with the people who attend this camp. They can also make donations as well as just being there and talking to a child.

project updates:

Submitted by kaykay123 on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 20:39

the problem:

I'm trying to get schools to ignore races when filling out applications for college or when filling out an information sheet for tests.

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why it's important:

In my school we take Connecticut Mastery Tests (CMTs) and there's a section where we have to fill out what race we are. I think that the scorers of our test(s) should need to know this information. If we really have "equality," your race should not matter.

the plan of action:

Whenever I take a test or have to fill out paperwork of some sort, unless it's extremely neccessary (which it usually isn't) I'm going to leave the question about race blank or check of "does not wish to reveal this information."

how you can get involved:

When you fill out paperwork asking you about your race and/or ethnicity, do what I do and not reveal it. It shouldn't matter what color your skin is when you are just taking a test - it's a measure of intelligence or what you have learned.

project updates:

Submitted by FullCirclesFoun... on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 15:35

the problem:

Full Circles Foundation aims to grow "strong girls, a fair economy, and a healthy earth" in the Southeastern United States. Put another way, we seek to advance the interconnected goals of of girls' empowerment, economic justice, and environmental health.

Our mission of "growing strong girls" aims to forward solutions to the challenges of women's health, violence against women, and low civic efficacy among women.

Our mission of "growing a fair economy" aims to forward solutions to the problems of structural poverty and racial and gender wealth disparities.

Our mission of "growing a healthy earth" aims to forward solutions to the problems of environmental illiteracy and environmental destruction and degradation.

vital stats:

people impacted:

100

people involved:

why it's important:

Our vision is to provide a holistic, collaborative, long-term, multi-intervention empowerment track for girls who have high potential but who are facing big obstacles. Over the course of thirteen years (K-12), FCF girls will be paced through a series of community-powered, best-practice programs, including summer camps, afterschool opportunities, apprenticeships, civic engagement training, and hands-on microventure experiences.

In 2011, Full Circles Foundation launched our pilot project in Raleigh, North Carolina - a series of community-powered summer camps, The Strong Camps. The Strong Camps included Strong Self Camp, Strong Neighbor Camp, and Strong Home Camp; they emphasized the connections between personal, community, and environmental health. This strategy is called "intertasking" - that is, accomplishing multiple goals with one action.

the plan of action:

In 2012, Full Circles Foundation aims to hold the second Strong Camp series in Raleigh, and to launch another pilot in Lexington, Kentucky. These two programs will reach at least 70 girls. We also hope to launch the Green Apprentice in Raleigh, an apprentice program that will pair middle and high school participants with local women artisans and entrepreneurs.

how you can get involved:

n/a