For the past year, we've been working on a project. One that is new, exciting and to our knowledge, hasn't really been tried before.
It was the brain child of the youth - while talking with an e-media expert. The youth wanted to get their messages of not drinking out in a new way - using electronic media, versus the old print media. It has taken 11 months for us to put it together - with so much planning and many different phases - and finally we all are sitting on the edge of our seats, ready to hit play!
This summer, four of the yutes have taken on additional responsibilities to make sure the project gets done. And I have to say, just when I'm not sure what will happen - they always pull through.
Take Tuesday night, for example. I was starting to get a little worried - there is still so much to do, and so little time, comparatively. One of the youth picked up on my anxiety and said that I was the only one feeling worried, and that it was all going to be fine. He he, check, got the message!
Then, using a 30-day free trial, we tested our first message. As mobile phones started buzzing, and they all looked at their phones, it was like a burst of glee! Everyone got giddy, excited and bubbly! Even one youth who doesn't have a phone claimed to get the message through ESP. I hit pauze for a moment. And looked around. And watched. And took it all in. This was one of those moments when you realize that empowering youth is the greatest gift. That giving them the space to create, plan and implement a project from start to finish, is where it is at. Sure, we've made mistakes. Sure there have been missed deadlines. But really, they've taken those in and kept going. We've overcome numerous challenges, from funding to support. From internal to external.
But that's the point - THEY'VE overcome those. They've learned from them. And they've owned them.
Let's face it - they knew what would work and what wouldn't. They were happy to tell me how they thought things should go. And with a little help (especially from our e-media expert, whome they LOVE), they've really got a great project to launch.
Watching them grow. Watching them learn. But most of all, watching them succeed. It brings tears to my eyes. I hope they know how much I appreciate them, their work, and their dedication. They are such a great reminder of everything that is right with the world.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Being a teen - like being on a cycling team?!
A lot has happened in the last few months. Like a certain professional cycling team, the youth have been trying to find their leader. Some of the youth have brought in new team members (their friends), ultimately changing the make-up of the group, and its personality.
As with the cycling team, the personality of the Team that has been dominate for so long, is being changed by the newer members - it is a new order, a new way of working, a new way of thinking. The younger team has new ways of thinking, new ways of getting the work done and are refreshing, much like the younger personality in the cyling team.
But unlike the cycling team, the older personality and make-up of the Team, isn't complaining. They're figuring out how to work with the new group. Yes, they feel a little out of place at times, they struggle to keep up, they have to work harder when they're working. But they aren't put off, they aren't running their mouths.
Both personalities of our Team are taking the high road. They're doing what they can to work together. There are challenges, and once in a while, you get a snippy comment by one or the other, but they are committed to accept one another, to work together. Afterall, I've made it clear, I'm not taking sides - I'm hoping we'll be able to figure out who we are and stay together.
But, this also makes me think about how much being a teen is like being a part of a cylcing team. For one, you can't make it through your teen years on your own. You need to have friends around you, people to support you, to carry you when you need a little carrying, and to cheer you on when you win or when you need it most. But also, we need to be able to cheer our friends on, we need to be able to think not just of ourselves, but of all our friends. Often, we're defined by our friends as teens. We can often only be as strong as the rest of our team, our supports.
Yet, when you're a teen, you also have your own personality, and try to find your individuality, just like individual cyclists. Juxting for your own self-esteem, trying to figure out who you are... Your friends are important, but your own person is who you're looking to to promote, to develop.
So as our team works to figure out who we are, as we work to figure out who our own leader is, as we try to figure out what our priorities are, I play the role of supporter. Of confirmer. Of promoter. This amazing group of youth deserves nothing less. And time with each of them is precious.
Just for the record, however, I greatly admire the newer face on the cycling team. That face has held itself high, battled on the road and ultimately proved who is the best in the world. Bravo, AC. Bravo.
As with the cycling team, the personality of the Team that has been dominate for so long, is being changed by the newer members - it is a new order, a new way of working, a new way of thinking. The younger team has new ways of thinking, new ways of getting the work done and are refreshing, much like the younger personality in the cyling team.
But unlike the cycling team, the older personality and make-up of the Team, isn't complaining. They're figuring out how to work with the new group. Yes, they feel a little out of place at times, they struggle to keep up, they have to work harder when they're working. But they aren't put off, they aren't running their mouths.
Both personalities of our Team are taking the high road. They're doing what they can to work together. There are challenges, and once in a while, you get a snippy comment by one or the other, but they are committed to accept one another, to work together. Afterall, I've made it clear, I'm not taking sides - I'm hoping we'll be able to figure out who we are and stay together.
But, this also makes me think about how much being a teen is like being a part of a cylcing team. For one, you can't make it through your teen years on your own. You need to have friends around you, people to support you, to carry you when you need a little carrying, and to cheer you on when you win or when you need it most. But also, we need to be able to cheer our friends on, we need to be able to think not just of ourselves, but of all our friends. Often, we're defined by our friends as teens. We can often only be as strong as the rest of our team, our supports.
Yet, when you're a teen, you also have your own personality, and try to find your individuality, just like individual cyclists. Juxting for your own self-esteem, trying to figure out who you are... Your friends are important, but your own person is who you're looking to to promote, to develop.
So as our team works to figure out who we are, as we work to figure out who our own leader is, as we try to figure out what our priorities are, I play the role of supporter. Of confirmer. Of promoter. This amazing group of youth deserves nothing less. And time with each of them is precious.
Just for the record, however, I greatly admire the newer face on the cycling team. That face has held itself high, battled on the road and ultimately proved who is the best in the world. Bravo, AC. Bravo.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
