Pictographic Representation of My Project
In-SYNC (Supporting Youth Needs in the Community). Developing a project with a local Anglican school to have their students involved with the work that we do with homeless or at risk of homeless young people in their community.
All projects start with one or two people wondering aimlessly through the vast open space of possibilities before them. Having that one person who is close that you can lean on makes it not so scary - no matter how young naive and wobbly we are on our new legs in the beginning.
Baby steps in the beginning phase of any project. The shamrocks are represtentive of my Irish ancestry. And I feel that some of the components of this projects is a return to promoting of systems that were present in past generations- young people involved and contributing to their community, community responsibility and community action.
Still feeling a reconnection to past values - after meeting with schools chapalins, their aim is to form linkages for their students between the school, teaching, Christian principles and actions within the community. A bring back the value of commitment to the community and reflection of the Christian principles
that inspire this action.
Linking together, not at the exclusion of including others, but the forming of a strong support group that despite any obstacles the bonds (arm links) are like stone and can not be broken easily.
After developing the project plan it was great to find out that young people who are involved with volunteering and community projects are more likely to continue to contribute throughout their lifetime to civic and politcial issues. This picture is what I want to achieve, a young person involved and keeping this commitment through out their life to social inclusion and social justice issues- no matter how old. Also the flow on effect of influencing and raising these issues with their friends and family networks.
I hope by the end of the project to have grown up and be in my high heels - as the project has grown up and is running independently and I am able to go and celebrate its successful intergration into
a project with a life that does not need me.
