Anna
Eglite
SOCI
2F60
Seminar
# 6
April
8, 2014
Contents
- Introduction………………………………………………………………..3
- Two revised OOCLO reflections…………………………………………..4-9
- Report of group interviews…………………………………………………10-13
- Conclusion…………………………………………………………………..14- 16
- Reference page……………………………………………………………….. 17
Anna
Eglite
SOCI
2F60
Seminar
# 6
April
8, 2014
My
name is Anna Eglite. I was born in Latvia. Been attending Brock University for
2 years. The time flies by: can’t believe I will be in my third year in
university at September. I take Applied
Linguistics to become and English Second Language teacher. I love my major. First,
because I enjoy helping people to succeed. Second, because I will be
interacting with people from all over the world. This way I can become more
knowledgeable about different cultures and their life styles. Third, because I
can relate to people I will be teaching. I came to a different country and did
not know English. I can put myself in their shoes.
My
academic advisor suggested me to take this class. After reading course
description, I decided to enroll in it.
The main reason I decided to enroll in it is because I read in the
course description that this class does community engagement. I love being part
of community and making a difference. I believe each one of us should
contributes some time to make our world better.
The
portfolio includes introduction page. Also it includes two revised OOCLO
reflections. In addition, it includes group interviews. Lastly, conclusion
which critically reflect on my overall learning in this course.
Anna
Eglite
Student
# 5207667
Seminar
# 6
April
8, 2014
Soup
kitchen
I
volunteered at a church at soup kitchen.
The church I volunteered at is located in Niagara Falls. I arrived at
the church an hour before the soup kitchen started. Most of things were done but I helped out
with last minute things that needed to be done.
Tablecloth were needed to be put on the table, cleaning was needed and
also preparing food. I was participating in the activities stated above. The time ran by fast. It was time to open the
soup kitchen. In first 10 minutes there were about 15 people arriving to the
soup kitchen.
Soup
kitchen was in a big size church dining room. Food was at the front. The people
took silverware, plates and were waiting their turn in the line to receive the
food. This indicates that soup kitchen is promoting justice to everyone
equally. No one could cut in line: first come first serve. Volunteers were giving free food to less
fortunate people. The less fortunate people had many options to pick from to
eat. Not only the church had soup and bread but also chicken pasta/vegetarian
pasta, brownies, beverages and other delicious food. The church shows acceptance through this to people who are
vegetarians or not. There are different kind of people in this world: not
everyone will eat meat. After the poorer people received the food and beverages
they could sit down. The table they were eating their meal on were nicely set
and decorated. This way the soup kitchen is making everyone feel welcomed. They
want everyone to feel like they are in a safe atmosphere like home.
I prepared and made food for people who are
less fortunate. Also, I served the food to the people. The church does soup
kitchen almost twice every month. The
soup kitchen is run by the congregation donations. Everyone is welcomed to stop by and have a
warm meal. The soup kitchen ran for 4 hours.
People came and went. There were about 125 people overall who came to
the soup kitchen.
Most
people who came to the soup kitchen looked really skinny and were really
hungry. From the clothes people were wearing one may tell that there were many
poor people in the room. The clothes, the hair and skin were dirty. As well,
their odor was hard to manage. It was hard to be around people who smell bad
but one may say the church volunteers were doing a great job by providing free
food to less fortunate people.
It
was a long time volunteering at the church but I observed and learned many new
things. I absorbed a pregnant lady walking in with her child who looked about 2
years old but the father of the children was not there. From her face
expression one may tell that she was happy to be in the soup kitchen. One other
person stranded out. One woman walked in. She is 20 years old. She started to
talk to me and telling me her life story. It was tragic to hear it. Her parents
abused her and raped her and she ran away. She is on a street alone with no
support. The women were tearing up while telling me the story. I only heard her
story but there were many people who came to soup kitchen. Everyone has their
own story.
The
church is doing a great job by providing free food to less fortunate people.
The church is helping out the community by making less people to starve. Soup
kitchens are beneficial to the community in many different ways. It is a community because hundred people come
together for a meal. Soup kitchens create opportunities for people to build
communities and sharing experiences. Also, it’s a great opportunity for people
to volunteer and enjoy cooking and serving for the less fortunate. This volunteering work relates to foundations
for community engagement class. In the class the teacher draw attention that
there are many poor people in Canada and this is justified by the soup kitchens
being active and never satisfying all poorer Canadians with food. Especially in
Niagara region there are high poor people rate. There is always someone who is
starving. It is hard to end hunger. Canada is in a middle of other countries in
poverty. One of the highest poverty rates are in United States. The church is contributing to community
because the soup kitchen is open to everyone no mater of the background or
color. I had a great time volunteering at the soup kitchen. It made my day to
help others.
Anna
Eglite
Student
#: 5207667
Seminar
#: 6
April
8, 2014
Positive
Space Workshop
Positive Space
workshop was held on October 30th in a small room at Brock
University. Anyone who wishes could attend. This indicates the justice they are
promoting by accepting everyone. This
workshop was started in 2005 by staff and students but the main leader was a
woman studying women and gender studies. This workshop is held almost every
month. This way they can spread the word to many people around the community
that it is okay to be who you are. Some
times more people come sometimes not. In the small room were about 11 people.
Age from 18 to 50s.
Amanda
and Marla were the leaders of it. Marla started off by saying “ this is LGBTQ
Community information workshop”. She gave basic overview of what we will be
doing in 2 hour workshop. We all participated in group and individual
activities. Everyone needed to ask respectful questions. Marla also added “
this room equals safer space, don’t share out side of the room the discussions.
One may say that from justice point of
view she is indeed providing a safe space for everyone in the workshop.
Positive Space workshop is like a cu munity. People come together and engage in
respectful manner and are free to express themselves. This indicates that she
wanted everyone to feel safe about what they share with each other. Feeling
safe is the theme of the workshop.
The
goal of the workshop was to have members from Brock familiarize with the
issues. Also to individually recognize
limits of there own knowledge and to find more information on their own. In
addition, to strategize information and prepare to offer proper support. Lastly
to celebrate diversity. We discussed that language can support, encourage, hurt
and heal communication. The language is evolutionary process and language is
reclamation. Many people use the words like fag and gay and do not know the
actual meaning behind it. There are many insult words that have been used. For
example, the word queer.
Myths about LGBTQ were talked about. Also, the
privileges straight people get and that they do not get. Brock has a policy
that allows men to use a female’s bathroom if they consider themselves a female
and vice versa. Brock wants everyone to feel safe expressing themselves. Brock
wants everyone to feel part of community. Justice center at Brock, Human Rights, Human
Resources, Brock pride, Student Justice center and counseling is available for
LGBTO students and everyone else. This workshop is making our community better
in the way that it provides information about LGBTQ and proves the point that
it is okay to be who you are.
At the end of the workshop people were
recommended to fill out an examination sheet about Positive Space workshop and
after it Marla and Amanda handed out flyers and pins for people who wanted it. This
way she is spreading the word. It is good that they gave examination sheets for
participants to fill out because that way the Positive Space workshop can
improve. The Positive Space workshop significance standpoint of social justice.
This workshop supports LGBTQ people. This is making our community better by
accepting everyone for who they are. Everyone felt safe in Positive Space
environment. It is not easy to have social justice everywhere but the Positive
Space workshop leads to it.
Before
I came to the Positive Space workshop, I did not know what to expect. I was
surprised not to see anyone there from LGBTQ category. Everyone seemed
straight. It is true that straight people are the ones who need to understand
this issue more so they can accept everyone for who they are. LGBTQ is a global
issue. There are countries that are indeed against it but there are countries
that are on the process to legalize homosexual marriage. For example, Canada
legalized it. Not to discriminate against black race took a long time and still
there are people who are racist. This indicates that social justice takes a
long time to put in place.
Anna
Eglite
Student
#: 5207667
Seminar
# 6
April,
8, 2014
Big
Brothers Big Sisters
Big
Brothers Big Sisters services are located all over Canada. The focus in this
paper will be on Big Brothers Big Sisters in Niagara region. In St Catharines
Big Brother Big Sister is located on 428 Niagara Street. They been serving for
77 years. Their vision is to have a mentor for every child who needs one. Their
mission is to empower youth trough mentorship. They focuses on risk youth in
community ages 7 to 17. Big Brothers Big Sisters help children to do better in
school by mentoring them. One mentor working with an individual child. To apply
for mentor a child/parent has to fill out a profile and then the profile is
matched to pick out a mentor. In addition, one may like the fact that applying
for Big Brother Big Sisters services is for free.
Big
Brothers Big Sisters addresses issues on a micro level and a macro level as
well. It is micro level because the mentors focus is to help each individual to
do better in school. It is macro level as well because the mentors are helping
out children in a long run by doing
better in school, getting a good job and be well of on their own. Big Brothers
Big Sisters are funded privately by donations and charity events. There is no
minimum amount of donations a person can donate. Big Brothers Big Sisters has
done many charity events. One of them is to raise money by paying 60dolars to
go bowling. I believe that 60 dollars is a lot of money to go bowling for and
many people would not want to contribute to this. In addition this bowling even
is the cheapest fund raiser the Big Brothers Big Sisters do.
There
are limits in services. There is 70 student waitlist for mentoring and many
programs has closed down because of lack of funding. Big Brother Big Sisters
has professional workers and volunteers. 68% of the donations go to staff and
32% go to the organization. One may say, that too much money from the donations
is going to pay for the workers.
The
group that did Big Brother Big Sister presentation analyzed their organization
in a positive spectrum. They believe that mentoring a child is an advantage for
the children in the long run. I agree with their analysis. It’s better to have
a mentor if needed then not to have one to be successful later on. They also
believe that the mentor is a role model for the children. Also, I agree with
this point of view because children look up to older people: especially to
people who are making a difference in their lives. There are many positive
aspects about Big Brother Big Sister organization. I would be interested in
volunteering for Big Brother Big Sister organization as a mentor because it
makes me happy to make a difference in people’s lives.
Anna
Eglite
Student
#: 5207667
Seminar
# 6
April,
8, 2014
Autism Ontario
The
focus of this paper is Autism Ontario in Niagara region. Autism is not a mental
illness. There are no known psychological factors that have been shown to Couse
autism. Also it is not a result of bad parenting. Autism is a complex developmental disability that usually becomes
apparent during the first three years of life. It is the result of a
neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain.
Autism Ontario in Niagara region been running
in Niagara for 31 years. It is run by small number of staff who are highly
skilled clinical professionals. Also, many people volunteer. For example there
are many volunteers from Child and Youth program. Autism Ontario mission is to provide
information, support and friendship to families and community members dealing
with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Niagara region. Also, to assist in educating
society about autism and the fact that it is a disability. In addition, to help
ensure that everyone with autism is given all the opportunities and resources
needed to achieve his or her full potential in Niagara community. Autism
Ontario provide social recreational programs and activities. Those programs are
specifically provided to meet the needs of kids challenged by Autism Spectrum
Disorders and their families. Autism Ontario is supported by Niagara Region
Chapter Leadership Council and by the government. Everyone who wish can donate
any amount.
The
organization addresses issues on micro and macro level. It addresses the issues
in micro level by providing support to people in Niagara region. Also, it
addresses the issues in macro level by providing services in all Ontario. There
are some limitations in services. Some of the limitations are because of lack
of funding and lack of volunteers. Due to the lack of funding and volunteers
one staff is working with three children.
The
group that did Autism Ontario presentation did analysis on their organization.
They believe that Autism Ontario is a helpful organization for children with
Autism Spectrum Disorders and their parents. I agree with their evolution
because an organization that is making a difference in someone’s life is indeed
helpful. There is a summer camp for 10 weeks for children who have Autism
Spectrum Disorders. To participate in it one has to pay three thousand dollars.
Only little amount is paid by people who donate. The group that did the
presentation on Autism Ontario did analysis on it and they believe that even
thou it’s a lot of money to pay for the camp that it is worth it. I do not
agree with their analysis. I believe
that it is too large amount to pay for the camp. I would be interested in
volunteering at Autism Ontario to gain experience and make a difference. I
would be willing to do help out with anything that is needed to.
Student
#: 5207667
Seminar
#: 6
April
8, 2014
There are many personal qualities I cultivated
through my OOCLO experiences. First, I acquired listening. One has to be a good
listener to take good notes, to know what is going on and what is asked of
him/her. This skill was used in every OOCLO experience. For example: one may
not write good reflections for his/her class if they are not a good listener. One may be hearing but not listening. One has
to be a good listener but also a good speaker as well. They are some of the most important skills to
acquire to be successful in life. Second, I cultivated speaking skills. One has
to know when it is the right time to speak and when it is time to listen. I learned
that usually the best time to ask questions is at the end of someone’s talk. Also, the way one may speak says a lot about them.
To be safe it is the best to speak in a polite manner and think before speaking.
Social
media is as a vehicle for raising awareness and activist mobilization. The media
plays an important role in today’s society. It increases public awareness;
collect the views, information and attitudes toward certain issues. Media is
the most powerful tool in this world. It is all around us. It is on TV,
magazines, books, newspapers, radio and walls. Media presents a responsible
role in our society. Without it people would be isolated from rest of the world
(Swinson 2011).
There are positive aspects about media and
negative ones. One negative aspect would be providing false information to the
public. For example: photoshopping people. Media uses airbrushing. Airbrushing can
add things that were not in the original photo and also can take it away. Media
air brushes people so they look flawless. In reality, no one is flawless. They airbrush
the image of models and celebrities in nonrealistic portrayals. The false information to the public eye is not
helping our society. Many people compare themselves with people they see on
media. They want to look as good as them. This contributes to unhealthy life
style: leading to eating disorders.
Many
people use social media to spread awareness about their organization. For example
Mainstream. They have a website to spread awareness about their organization so
people are more knowledgeable about it and also that people can donate money if
they wish. This is a positive way of using social media. Mainstream Services has two charitable non-profit
corporations. They operate as non-profit housing and an unsheltered workshop. They
provide residential and day support services for adults with developmental
disability. Their mission is to increase the quality of life for people with
developmental disability by providing a support environment and the necessary
skills they need to learn, grow and to strive to empowerment. Their goal is to
ensure that all individuals are able to develop for their full potential as
individuals with respect and dignity. Mainstream been serving adults with
developmental disability since 1984. Mainstream is using social media in a
positive way to help their cause.
I
have learned many new things from my OOCLO experiences, the human service and
activist organizations I learned about, social media experiences and the talks
given by the quest speakers throughout the course. I acquired more knowledge. I
did not know before taking this class that Niagara region is really poor. Many people leave Niagara region to find jobs
because it is almost imposable to find it here. Also, that America has one of
the highest ratings in poverty. I can
bring positive change through the things I learned and experiences. I could be
part of organization or create one that helps Niagara region getting out of
poverty. I learned as well that many percent of donations that organization receives
goes to pay the staff. My organization would be mostly volunteered based and
the staff would not be paid that much off donation money.
There are many new aspects I learned throughout
the course. I did not know that there
are so many organizations helping people in Niagara region. One may not know
about this because not a lot of awareness is raised about those organizations. My
organization that I would be part of or create would raise lot of awareness
about it by advertising it in local places, through events, website and celebrities.
If a celebrity supports my organization the awareness would spread out more
quickly and more and more people would be helping and donating.
I would
bring a positive change in the field by loving my job. Many people work because
they have to survive. They do not enjoy their job. If everyone enjoyed their
job then it would contribute to more energy to be put in the success. Doing work
you love is energizing. You do the work and it energizes you. Second, one may
feel more confident. Doing work you don’t enjoy is like trying to be who you
are not. One may be able to do it well but it does not come naturally to
him/her. One will feel more confident doing work if it comes naturally. Lastly, one will enjoy their life more by
doing what they love. Being frustrated
and unhappy with the work one does does not bring positive energy on himself as
well everyone else.
Reference page
Swinson , Jo . 2011 "False beauty
in advertising and the pressure to look 'good'." Cnn opinion
