A Learning Curve

First Entry

September 13, 2014

 What was your first impression?

    I was a little too nervous to really gage a first impression. I wanted to make sure that I understood my assignment. The building is very small and I was feeling a little closed in. I was trying to take in all my surroundings and the people. It is a very unique place, and it operates very uniquely, it was really interesting to hear and see how everything is set up and how they assist the kids. They have a grocery store and laundry facilities and I believe there is a shower. I was really nice to hear how much they do for the kinds and also how they try to get the work with the kids with their challenges.

 What was the first thing you noticed?

    My first impression was “where were the ADULTS……” The employees are very young, now that can be because I am very old or they are indeed very young. I am not a very good judge of age but I think there might have been one person in there 30’s. The rest were twenty something. Now this could very well be a very   conscientious decision on their part. The individuals that they serve are young people under age 22, most being under 18. I think that in order to get these kids to accept help and to talk, they need to be comfortable with the worker, anyone older than 30 may come off as a parent figure.

 Were you uncomfortable and if so, why? 

   Just a little, but once I start working I was fine. The facility is not the cleanest, and there is a lot of clutter. They receive clothing donations and some of the donations are not really that great. It is my job to sort them and hang them on hangers and to discard clothes that are not in good condition are inappropriate.

 Did you experience culture shock? 

   Maybe a little just in its overall existence. That here in Utah just like other cities across the country there are young people who for whatever reason do not have a home to go to.

Second entry

 October 10

 What are some challenges faced by this population?

     The youth that are served face so many challenges; the obvious being homeless. But I am not sure if they would actually consider that being a challenge. They are very resourceful. I think that one of the challenges that they face is being alone, even when that seem to have friends.  It’s hard enough being a young adult trying to get your head together; I would think that it really hard for these kids because they don’t have any one to go to for that support, someone that’s really there for them. There many people at the resource Center that are great and they know the kids really well and the do their best to help them but you can since the isolation that they have. They fear of getting to close.

 What are some of the underlying causes of these challenges?

      A majority of these kids are foster kids that have aged out of the foster care program. They may have had many foster placements, they may not have had the opportunity to build relationships, learn to trust, or communicate.Some of the kids have some mental health issues that have not been addressed properly and continue to be barriers for trust and communication.Some of the kids have “come out” as gay and their do not feel that their families’ have accepted them.

 Do you think these challenges are caused by internal or external factors? 

I think these challenges can be both. I believe that external factors have happened; factors that can be extremely difficult to deal with alone, without care and support, problems grow internally, and continue to get worse. But sadly, just dealing with the basics, food and shelter is all there is time for in most cases.

 What public needs are you fulfilling by serving this population? 

I not sure there is a public need that I am fulfilling; I really do not do much at the center. I sort clothes out and put them out for the kids, I stock the food pantry shelves, and separate hygiene kits.

The resource center is a very small place with a small staff. Volunteers are very very important. They are many things that did to be done, and whatever we can do frees up the staff to be able to work with the kids.

 If so, describe your experience engaged.

      A couple of years ago a volunteered with The Family Support Center, I volunteered at their LifeStart Village. I would tend the children while the mothers attending their workshops. LifeStart is a place for single mother dealing with adversity. I also would provide nursery care for their blended families’ workshop..