Uplifting Stories

Below you will find an article that I wanted to share with you all. Before you begin reading this article, take a minute and read my opinions on this topic.

There are always discussions on children and families living in poverty and how "sad" and "poor" these families lives are. Well, what if it was told that a large percentage of these families were resourceful, hopeful and HAPPY. Wow, how can someone be HAPPY when their poor?.. NOTE: Not all families who are poor come from poverty in their childhood. We have ALL suffered in some form or fashion from the economic crisis, if we haven't suffered directly we know someone who has. What if during these critical times families have taken the time to bond and grow stronger as a family unit. How often do we go about our daily tasks and forget about the intangible things. We often become so absorbed in our work that our children are neglected, grandparents are lonely and we often forget how to enjoy life. It is in times of struggle, when people dig deep into their souls and encounter new discoveries. Families who live in poverty may be at a disadvantage from an economic stand point but its not the end of life and no hope should be lost. Faith is strengthened and that's prosperous in itself. I can think of a family who lives in poverty and the children are the happiest children I have ever met. The reason these children are happy is because the family is resourceful, they are encouraged and faithful!

 

Children of Hard Times

New Poor: The Barrett Family

By Marian Wright Edelman with Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Julia Cass reporting from New Orleans, Louisiana

The Barrett girls, Anjerrica, 15, Daryanna, 10, and Jaeda, 7, would go hungry without food stamps, free school lunches, and a local food pantry.

As the new year’s news cycles turn to presidential politics and primary contests, there is another story our leaders should be talking a lot about—and acting to alleviate. End-of-year news stories about holiday spending happily reported on the unexpectedly high totals many Americans spent—or put on credit—this year. But for millions of families there was another story: how to provide enough food and shelter and keep alive the spirit, wonder, and joy of the season for their children when resources are scarce? Darryl and Jeanna Barrett are both college graduates who together earned about $60,000 a year. Blessed with three beautiful daughters, they survived Hurricane Katrina and bought a home in New Orleans, eager to help rebuild their city. According to Darryl, they were “on the road to the American dream.” Then he became disabled and Jeanna lost her job. Their current income—Darryl’s Social Security disability and Jeanna’s unemployment insurance—places them just barely above the official poverty level for a family of five.
The family recently qualified for food stamps. The Barrett girls, Anjerrica, 15, Daryanna, 10, and Jaeda, 7, would go hungry without food stamps, free school lunches, and a local food pantry. Darryl has been going to the food pantry at the nearby Community Center of St. Bernard every week and can’t say enough about how “tremendous” the center has been for them. “I called last year our $36 Christmas. That’s how much money we had in the bank. The Center made sure we had a turkey. They got a sponsor who got the girls bikes. We went to their toy drive… if it hadn’t been for them, we wouldn’t have had any Christmas,” Darryl recently told Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Julia Cass, on assignment in New Orleans for the Children’s Defense Fund.
The economic rise and fall of the Barrett family mirrors what has happened to so many Americans who were moving up into the middle class but fell backwards in the past few years. The Barretts’ hard times resulted from the double whammy of disability and recession. Darryl graduated from Loyola University with a degree in computer systems. He worked for a casino company linking up statewide games in casinos around the state. But when he injured his back and a disc in his neck while moving a heavy piece of furniture, pressure from the disc injury severely damaged the nerves in his arms. Two years of physical therapy and a surgery failed to restore the use of his arms and he was approved for Social Security disability payments of $1550 per month.
Meanwhile, Jeanna graduated from Xavier University with a degree in chemistry. She worked as a pharmacy technician and science teacher in a Catholic school before going to work at a non-profit organization providing after-school and summer programs for low-income children in 2004. But she lost her job when the program lost state funding in 2010. In October 2011, Jeanna got what she calls a “part-time part-time” job—working at a cell phone company two days a week, three hours a day at $8 an hour. “Of all my applications, this was the only place that wanted to hire me,” she says. But the Barretts know this job is not even a short-term solution to their tough financial problems.
Sadly, the Barrett children were in the majority this year. In November, the Census Bureau released its first report using a new way of measuring poverty in America: the Supplemental Poverty Measure. This new measure won’t replace the official poverty measure but it’s an important tool to give us a more nuanced picture of poverty today.
The Supplemental Poverty Measure monitors common household expenses including food, clothing, shelter, and utilities and adjusts for regional differences. Income calculations include the value of federal nutrition programs, tax breaks like the Earned Income Tax Credit, and housing subsidies but subtract taxes paid, work and child care expenses, medical expenses, and child support payments. These more detailed calculations yielded some surprising results.
The majority of children in America—a stunning 56.7 percent—are either poor or low-income with these calculations compared to 43.9 percent using the official measure. While there is a substantial rise in the number of children considered low-income, the child poverty rate itself was actually lower using the new measure. This is important because it shows the effectiveness of key programs in lifting children out of poverty especially child and family nutrition programs, housing subsidies, and the Earned Income Tax Credit. These programs had the largest positive impact on children’s lives.
Now that we know the majority of children in America are at risk—including families like the Barretts—and need a lot of help right now to stay afloat, we must act. The details the Supplemental Poverty Measure captures give us a fuller picture of poverty’s reach during these perilous economic times and should serve as a road map to help our leaders and policymakers see what’s helping and what’s hurting. The proof of effectiveness of crucial safety net investments shows the wisdom of expanding refundable tax credits and nutrition programs to stave off widespread hunger. All of us must urge our legislators right now to make the right choices with our tax dollars and use them to benefit the majority of our children struggling to survive and thrive on too little rather than non-needy powerful special interests.

http://www.childrensdefense.org/policy-priorities/ending-child-poverty/children-of-hard-times-7.html

Getting to Know Your International Contacts- Part 3

I explored the UNESCO website. I noticed that their objectives are very similar to my goals in the early childhood field. The objectives that are similar to mine are as follows:

·         Attaining quality education for all and lifelong learning

·         Addressing emerging social and ethical challenges

·         Fostering cultural diversity, intercultural dialogue and a culture of peace

·         Building inclusive knowledge societies through information and communication (UNESCO).

My goals for the early childhood field are to help children and families live their best lives possible. I helping these families I want to teach children how to learn. Educate families on valuable resources that will beneficial to them. I want to help strengthen the family bond by promoting positive effective long lasting relationships. As I study early childhood education my goals become clearer and information strengthens my views on education.

With my goals in mind, I know they are not achievable without the help of continued professional developments. I believe networking is a key factor to having continued success. Joining organizations that have the same interest and missions as me will help me advance in this field. One day I hope to known as a leader and role model for other professional who share the same desire to work with children and families. I want to change the lives of children for the best!

http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/

Sharing Web Resources

I followed the British Association for Early Childhood Education- http://www.early-education.org.uk/.  This organization founded in 1923.  The British association for Early Childhood Education advocates quality education for children.  It develops and supports programs for families and children.

The section in the website on Projects and Grants: discussed a new initiative called “New Nursery Schools Now” which advocates the importance of nursery schools in England.  A grant is provided which will allow professionals to research and illustrate effective practices for nursery schools.

Over the past weeks I have been following the Harlem Children’s Zone.  The HCZ organization starts from early childhood to 12^th grade and further.  The organization provides equal opportunities to all children.  In studying the HCZ I realized that this is a large community with many dimensions. Once children have completed and early learning program they should be provided with resources to move on to the next level.  The HCZ follows its students throughout their educational experiences which is highly admired.

Getting to Know Your International Contacts: Part 2

I explored the alternative website in order to gain understanding on what other countries contribute to the early childhood field.  The Global Children’s Initiative collaborates with different countries to improve the well-being of young children and families.

In Brazil, the Global Initiative works with policyholders and leaders to implement effective policies with the goal to create and sustain good programs. This project uses the science of children’s health and development to help in helping families in Brazil communities. This project also looks to prepare leader grow in the field.

In Santiago, Chile the Global Initiative created a project called “Good Start.”  This initiative is created to help severe health issues in order to improve school attendance; this project looks to include families in education.  Professional development classes are order to help improve the quality of education. The project addresses severe health issues in order to improve school attendance.  

It’s good to see so many countries are creating services for families and children.  There are so many dimensions to early childhood that can go unnoticed.

 http://developingchild.harvard.edu/initiatives/global_initiative/

Sharing Web Resources

The Harlem Children's Zone is an organization that continues to fight to end the war of poverty in urban communities. In reading class resources and partaking in class discusses on poverty it helps me work with families in children more effectively.

"There are more than 13 million children living in poverty in the United States today. Harlem Children Zone believes that the country cannot just rely on programs that save dozens or even hundreds of these children. That is why we created comprehensive Harlem Children's Project- to address the needs of thousands of children"(HCZ). As I read this statement I realized how relevant poverty issues are in our nation. Creating programs for children isn't a simple solution. There are several issues that need to be addressed and there should be well-thought solution that will help families overcome the many obstacles they face.

President Obama addressed the issues families face in Harlem. He discussed how across the globe there are many families who are facing the same issues. Mr. Obama supports the HCZ project and mission; he also feels we need more detailed programs like the HCZ throughout several states. Obama's plan is to replicate the HCZ across the nation. It appears politicians are willing to "invest" in programs but they want to ensure programs are beneficial and provide the resources to service families before making huge investments.

There is so much involved when it comes to educating and assisting families. There is so much information to absorb and understanding the dynamics of the education system can be overwhelming. I admire how the Harlem Children's Zone services all age children and there are different programs outside of the classroom to help children.

http://www.hcz.org/issues

Issues and Trends: Sharing Resources

The Harlem Children’s Zone is known for its courageous endeavors to service children and families in Harlem, New York.  The HCZ works hard to help families and children overcome challenges of daily living.  I grew up in Bronx, New York; I know firsthand the struggles and challenges African American families face in urban areas in New York City. Last summer I had the pleasure in meeting with a principal at one of the HCZ academies.  The structure of the HCZ programs are very impressive. Geoffrey Canada is President and CEO of the HCZ.  Harlem Children’s Zone mission is strengthen families in underprivileged communities and empower parents to be a positive influence in their children’s lives. Mr. Canada founded The Baby College which provides workshops to help parents care for their children, The Harlem Gems which is a preschool program, Promise Academy which are charter schools that educate elementary, middle and high school children.  The HCZ doesn’t just educate children and families but the programs are enriched with tools to help families become better people within their communities.

One current trend that caught my attention is the fight to end poverty/crime. Geoffrey Canada is very description in telling his views on poverty in Harlem as it relates to education. The article below highlights all the major issues in urban communities and illustrates the lack of resources.

Reform the bureaucracy. The calcified bureaucracy that has grown around theEnd the public school monopoly. While the goals of the No Child Left BehindAttract and retain more great teachers. Teachers, who have one of the mostMake teaching and learning full-time jobs. It’s clear that we have to payCreate incentives for excellent teachers. Right now, a teacher who inspires

By Geoffrey Canada

President and CEO

Harlem Children’s Zone, Inc.

As someone who has seen promises and programs about ending poverty come and

go for decades, I still find it unbelievable that the United States of America still has more

than 13 million children living in poverty. Having worked in Harlem for over 20 years

with children who have been falling behind in school, it’s clear to me that there is one

sure way to win the long-lost war on poverty – to provide a high-quality education to all

children.

No one who is knowledgeable about the subject will dispute that our education

system has failed, is failing and -- unless dramatically overhauled -- will continue to fail –

particularly in regard to poor students of color.

While the tragic consequences of the abandoned war on poverty quietly mount up,

there is no national consensus about what we should do. I believe there are five steps that

we can readily take now that will make a difference in the years to come.

1)

country’s schools is getting in the way of student achievement. Managers of

schools and school systems can’t deploy their staff so they can best benefit

students. Often teachers can’t be moved from a successful school to a failing

one and lousy teachers or principals can’t be replaced in a timely way.

2)

law are admirable, in poor communities, there is essentially no choice for

parents whose children attend failing schools. The reality is that in areas such

as Harlem, giving parents the “freedom” to opt out of their child’s failing

school is akin to telling passengers on the Titanic that they can sit in any deck

chair of their choosing.

3)

important jobs in our country, receive significantly less money than peers in

other professions. The median starting salary for a teacher in the U.S. is

$29,564, while a recent MBA can start his or her career with a salary of

$75,000 or more.

4)

teachers more, while requiring them to work a full year. Perhaps having

schools closed for the entire summer worked fine when we had an agrarian

society. But today, in failing schools, we need to extend the school year and

the school day. That is the only way poor kids can catch up and eventually

have a shot at a job in our increasingly knowledge-based workplace. The

simple truth is that no one is going to turn around our failing schools without

making teaching in them a full-time job and compensating staff accordingly.

5)

students can look forward to the same pay raise as the teacher next door who

has mentally checked out and is just counting the days to retirement. In fact,

great teachers who want to earn more have to leave classrooms entirely for

jobs in administration. Our education system needs a structure that fairly

rewards great teachers and trains other teachers to improve their classroom

skills.

We need to resume the war on poverty with the vigor we would bring to any

enemy that threatens our country. Yes, we must win the war on terrorism, but the future

of our homeland will never be secure if we continue to lose the war on poverty. Today

the country spends, on average, more than $7,500 per pupil annually to educate our

children in public schools, while a top private school can cost more than twice that

amount. We do not need to match private schools dollar for dollar, but public schools

must do better and that means more money, spent wisely.

Certainly the need for improving education, particularly in low-income

communities, couldn’t be much plainer. We have 12 percent of African-American men in

jail on any given day; more than 90 percent of them did not graduate high school. The

Community Service Society reports that almost 50 percent of African-American men in

New York City are unemployed – clearly this is a direct result of their lack of education.

We can spend escalating amounts of money on jails, drug treatment and welfare --

or we can pay a fraction of that money up front and do the job of educating low-income

Americans right the first time.

The casualties and ghosts of the abandoned war on poverty sit in our classrooms,

walk our streets and waste away in our prisons. This is truly the American Nightmare:

impoverished, uneducated and unemployable amid a land of plenty. We can continue to

ignore them and pay the price or we can call up the national resolve to fight – and

through education, win – the country’s abandoned war on poverty. (Geoffrey Canada)

While I read the article I thought of some of the issues in the Early Childhood field and how they are directly related to what Mr. Canada speaks on. We have early childhood professionals who are underpaid, and the lower paid teachers mostly work in urban communities. It makes you think further about our society as an entity. Teaching children is an important job, it makes no sense as to why teachers are underpaid. We need more people who have the same will power as Mr. Canada exudes in order to change our education system and put an end to alarming trends.

http://www.hcz.org/images/stories/pdfs/legacy_op-ed.pdf

My Support

As I reflect on my growth and experiences, I realize I could have not accomplished it all without my support system.  I have support from my family (Mom, Dad, Brother, Aunts, Cousins and close Friends) these people are there simply when I need to vent or when I am overly anxious.  I am at a point where I am focused on my career.  I am fine tuning things and have a clear picture as to what I need to accomplish next.  I share my feelings and ideas with my support system and they in return give me construction criticism/advice. Each individual who supports me fully understand my journey.  Life is full of obstacles/challenges and without warning they do enter our lives.  Without a support system I don’t think I would be as successful as I am.  I have matured over the years and my support system has helped me see things in different perspectives.

I also have spiritual support from GOD.  I have faith and I am very determined.  Everything I have set my heart out to do, I have accomplished.  I only accomplished these things through my spiritual connection with GOD and the support from my family and friends.

I took a few minutes and imagined living in this world alone.  A world without   family and lacking spirituality is an empty world.  I must say it’s frightening to even think of.  I need a support system as much as I need air, water, and food.  It’s essential to life itself.  When troops fight in war they don’t do it alone they fight with an army.  When teachers teach they don’t just teach to one child they are teaching to a class/group.  We all need and require a support system whether its family, friends, teachers and/or coworkers.