Social Justice for Youth Development 

     Social justice for youth development consists on engaging youth in social problems such as racism, homophobia, ableism and so forth. Social justice facilitates the opportunity to build their knowledge and skills, it provides them the chance to contribute in team-work and discovering new experiences to positively impact them as well as the community. They can participate in community services, volunteering, and gardening, which can be a rewarding experience to guide them in the right direction to become successful/ happy adults.

     I have experience social justice at the YMCA, they are a nonprofit organization committed to strengthening community by connecting people specially youth to their potential and purpose. I worked for the YMCA for two years and I witnessed how important is social justice for them when it comes to working with young people. They help influence and change public perceptions around human rights. They do that through education (After school programs), investigating social issues (discrimination) by developing critical consciousness and engaging in social action. At the branch I worked, they ran after school programs, where they had multiple activities as well as connections with the community. In addition, kid’s favorite season was late spring because they used to go to a community garden in Peace street, Providence. There are many ways to have them involved to make the difference and advance a better society. For instance,  Volunteer to serve in different activities and voter registration.


Facts About Social Justice for Youth Development

·         Social Justice means supporting communities and organizations

·         Centers youth voice in relationships and community as a pathway toward healing and growing

·         Identifies social and political awareness as a critical and empowering developmental outcomes

·         It helps reduce the economic inequality that can hold generations of families back by requiring a livable minimum wage, additional educational resources for communities with greatest need and access to the right jobs


Comments

  1. Victoria RestlerOctober 13, 2020 at 7:38 AM

    Thanks for your post Indira and for these great reflections about the YMCA and your work with the organization. I wonder in reading them whether they might be more aligned with Civic Youth Development? We didn't speak much about that last class, but I see the difference between Civic as a space for youth to learn about and get involved with democracy and community engagement in the current system, whereas social justice is focused on getting youth involved to change existing structures. How does this resonate with you?

    ReplyDelete
  2. MsVlugoOctober 13, 2020 at 7:28 PM

    Hi Indira, I really enjoyed your post. I thought the design was very eye-catching and made me want to read what you wrote. The content was informative to me. I appreciate all the examples of SJYD you provided happening at the YMCA. They helped paint a clear picture of what SJYD looks like in relation to an organization and community, from a first hand account.

    ReplyDelete
  3. MsVlugoOctober 13, 2020 at 7:29 PM

    Hi Indira, I really enjoyed your post. I thought the design was very eye-catching and made me want to read what you wrote. The content was informative to me. I appreciate all the examples of SJYD you provided happening at the YMCA. They helped paint a clear picture of what SJYD looks like in relation to an organization and community, from a first hand account.

    ReplyDelete
  4. MsVlugoOctober 13, 2020 at 7:29 PM

    Hi Indira, I really enjoyed your post. I thought the design was very eye-catching and made me want to read what you wrote. The content was informative to me. I appreciate all the examples of SJYD you provided happening at the YMCA. They helped paint a clear picture of what SJYD looks like in relation to an organization and community, from a first hand account.

    ReplyDelete

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