When I describe my job as an ASC to people, they often don't "get" it. Here are some FAQ's and their answers... or at least, the ones I know:
Q: "Are you part of AmeriCorps?"
A: No. I found Organization X through the AmeriCorps website, and originally applied as an AmeriCorps volunteer. But because the government cut funding from this AmeriCorps job through this particular organization, the position is no longer affiliated with AmeriCorps as of this year. However, I recieve nearly the same (slightly smaller) education award, and I perform all the same tasks as last year's AmeriCorps volunteer ASC.
Q: "Do you work with kids who are 'on the cusp'?"
A: A lady asked me this, verbatim, when I took the girls to a community service project at a food pantry. It was very awkward not only because of how she phrased it, but also because she was only addressing me while one of the girls was standing right next to me. When people (particularly white people) see a program that serves 8 black girls, they often jump to false conclusions. These kids are not here because they have behavioral issues (they don't). They are accepted into Organization X because of their academic potential. They are smart and motivated. Most of them are in the program because growing up, they didn't have the resources or stability to go as far as they have the potential to.
Q: "Why do you live with teenagers?"
A: The main goal of Organization X is to improve the scholars' education, but it also emphasizes the development of the whole person (a very Jesuit sentiment). We live with teenagers so that we can create an environment that will help them learn how to take responsibility for themselves, as well as value community. They have chores every day, study from 7-9 most days, and family dinners every night. The structure helps them stay focused, calm and happy (which makes it sound like a cult... but it's good for them!). The newer scholars are definitely resistant to the strict schedule, but the ones who have been in the program for a few years appreciate it.
Q: "I would hate working with teenagers."
A: Ok this isn't a question, but it's definitely something people tell me frequently! Teenagers can be frusturating, but so can any age group. One reason I like working with teenagers is because I can reason with them. Also, teenagers (at least these teenagers, especially the older ones) realize that I am an actual person with needs, not just someone who is there to serve them. In certain ways, we can relate to each other as adults. I'd take that over a crying baby any day of the week. Although, even as I type this, I have an ominious feeling that teenagers and crying babies are not actually as different from one other as I think...
Got any other questions? Let me know, I'd be happy to answer them.
--Rebecca
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
On the 1st Day as an ASC...
So when you graduate from a liberal arts school with a B.A. in English lit and want to save the world but have no idea where to start... what do you do?
Answer: If you're me, you move in with 8 ("underpriveliged"? "at risk"? "in-need"? "underserviced"? you decide) teenage girls in a rich suburb of Illinois.
I joined this non-for-profit organization, which I will call Organization X, as a "Volunteer Academic Success Coordinator." I would have written that in the blog title, rather than the crude "Unpaid ASC," but it didn't fit in the space. I don't blame the space... it's a pretty lofty title for a 22-year-old kid fresh out of college who now spends 75% of her time confiscating cell phones and driving teenagers to play practice.
After nearly a month of training everywhere from Nebraska to my own backyard, I started my first official week at Organization X last week.
I don't know about you, but Christmas carols get stuck in my head all. year. round. So I put together a little carol to summerize my first week at Organization X. I'll spare both of us the pain of typing the whole thing out and skip to the last verse:
On the 12th day as an ASC, my true love gave to me,
12 Illinois employees, 11+ hours of TCI*
10 dollars in my account**, 9 drafts of the schedule,
8 awesome scholars, 7 of them whining, 6 pieces of mail,
5 books on backorder! an occasional 4-day weekend,
3 envelope compliments***, 2 parking tickets****,
and a house meeting on my day off!
*TCI stands for Theraputic Crisis Intervention training. And man is it boring... except for the mildly entertaining, horrible acting in the videos.
**Ok ten dollars might be a little hyperbolic. I'm really worried about money, is my point. And yet I keep spending it...
***Each scholar and staff member has an envelope with her name on it and we give each other written compliments. I try to give at least one a day. It's a great pick-me up.
****Yes I have really gotten 2 parking tickets within a week of each other. Driving here has been a problem for me. Toto, we're not in Indianapolis anymore...
By the way, I didn't mean for this post to be completely sardonic. I of course have some frusturations with my job, but I'm glad I'm here. I love the scholars, and my co-workers are great. It feels like I'm supposed to be here.
--Rebecca
Answer: If you're me, you move in with 8 ("underpriveliged"? "at risk"? "in-need"? "underserviced"? you decide) teenage girls in a rich suburb of Illinois.
I joined this non-for-profit organization, which I will call Organization X, as a "Volunteer Academic Success Coordinator." I would have written that in the blog title, rather than the crude "Unpaid ASC," but it didn't fit in the space. I don't blame the space... it's a pretty lofty title for a 22-year-old kid fresh out of college who now spends 75% of her time confiscating cell phones and driving teenagers to play practice.
After nearly a month of training everywhere from Nebraska to my own backyard, I started my first official week at Organization X last week.
I don't know about you, but Christmas carols get stuck in my head all. year. round. So I put together a little carol to summerize my first week at Organization X. I'll spare both of us the pain of typing the whole thing out and skip to the last verse:
On the 12th day as an ASC, my true love gave to me,
12 Illinois employees, 11+ hours of TCI*
10 dollars in my account**, 9 drafts of the schedule,
8 awesome scholars, 7 of them whining, 6 pieces of mail,
5 books on backorder! an occasional 4-day weekend,
3 envelope compliments***, 2 parking tickets****,
and a house meeting on my day off!
*TCI stands for Theraputic Crisis Intervention training. And man is it boring... except for the mildly entertaining, horrible acting in the videos.
**Ok ten dollars might be a little hyperbolic. I'm really worried about money, is my point. And yet I keep spending it...
***Each scholar and staff member has an envelope with her name on it and we give each other written compliments. I try to give at least one a day. It's a great pick-me up.
****Yes I have really gotten 2 parking tickets within a week of each other. Driving here has been a problem for me. Toto, we're not in Indianapolis anymore...
By the way, I didn't mean for this post to be completely sardonic. I of course have some frusturations with my job, but I'm glad I'm here. I love the scholars, and my co-workers are great. It feels like I'm supposed to be here.
--Rebecca
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