NYLC Blog
Reflecting on the impact of the 2012 conference
As I sit here in this park and reflect on the conference, emotions of happiness and inspiration seem to surface. I have headed to the park in order to emulate the conference’s constant business of workshops, booths, and plenaries, but also the little moments of peace and reflection. These were the moments that would make the most impact because of the growth that occurred within the conference attendees. Just being able to observe over that few days, I noticed small changes in everyone. It was re-assuring to know that not everyone just talks the talk, but there are people walking the walk. To kick off the conference I attended the World Forum as well as the reception the day before. I absolutely loved the diversity! The room was filled with new guests whose excitement at times seemed to out-shine my own. This was a pleasant thing to see knowing that NYLC, youthrive, and Peacejam, as well as all their youth boards, have worked so hard to make this gathering a success. Personally, I felt proud of this work and wanted to share it with everyone that attended. They came to celebrate Service-Learning but, in addition, they took hearts filled with empathy souls full of inspiration and minds set on change. This is what truly made this assembly of servant-leaders such a powerful message. We stand strong and despite opposition in the federal places, we will always find a way to speak for what we believe in and act on it. This philosophy I could accredit to Teens in Action, a club at my school. My mentor, Rosemary Pezzuto, has taught me this and I thank her for equipping me with the tools I needed to be the best servant and mentor during this time. My guidance from home is what made the event such an impactful one on me. As this may be the last time I am able to attend the conference, I wanted to enjoy every aspect I possibly could. Meeting not only the people in the conference buildings, but also interacting with the people we pledged to serve outside in the community. That is the most fulfilling. The 2012 National Service-Learning Conference has given me a motivated direction on my impending new journey that will take place next year in college.
Grateful,
Justice Walker
Justice Walker is a mentor on NYLC's Youth Advisory Council
Our World, Our Future Day 3: Shirin Ebadi
The final day of workshops began with a breakfast for alumni of NYLC's signature youth program, the National Youth Leadership Training. NYLC founder Jim Kielsmeier made opening remarks thanking the estimated 50 alumni in attendance for coming, including former NYLT program managers Sarah Ullmer, Barb Clark, and a mix of alumni from different generations. He also shared the story of the program's beginnings, which predates NYLC's inception.
NYLC CEO Kelita Svoboda Bak also spoke to the group, stating that NYLC will continue to invest in this important program. Having benefitted from youth development programs and having worked in youth development for more than 15 years, she has seen for herself the benefits these opportunities provide. In her closing, she offered to personally match up to $2,000 of donations received to go to this year's training. To make a donation visit our donate page.
The morning also featured a tree planting by NYLC at Theodore Park in Minneapolis in memory of Rahima Wade, educator, author, consultant, and pioneer in the area of service-learning; G. Bernard Gill, a beloved NYLC staff member who was passionate about urban service-learning; and Dr. Peter Benson, CEO of Search Institute. In the afternoon, Serena Muhammad was presented with the G. Bernard Gill Urban Service-Learning Leadership award for her work founding America SCORES St. Louis, a program that has introduced nearly 2,000 children to the power of poetry and service-learning. Muhammad facilitated a lively discussion on the importance of failure as a component of character development in service-learning projects.
The day came to a close with an inspiring afternoon plenary session. Singer and songwriter Heatherlyn performed songs inspired by peace, and Karli Wells, from Richland Northeast High School in South Carolina, gave a passionate speech about education disparity in her state and in the U.S. as a whole.
"The problem is the educated," declared Wells. "They don't see the affects of what they're cutting from the budget."
Youth emcees Aimee Vue and Nick Liemandt introduced Shirin Ebadi, Nobel Laureate, who spoke extensively about current U.S. political support for the people of Iran, international human rights, and the unequal treatment of women and youth in Iran. She also gave attendees a picture of some of the everyday realities for citizens in Iran.
"On average every day, two people are executed in Iran. Unfortunately, some of the executions are performed in public. A few months ago a 17 year old was executed in public."
Ebadi's words were translated to English from her native language of Farsi, but her message to young people was clear. "If a young girl goes out on the street without covering hair, she may be arrested and receive 80 lashes of flogging. A lot of students oppose the situation in Iran. Those of you who believe that university students belong in classes and not prison can sign the petition on your tables." The online version of the petition is available at peacejam.org.
Minneapolis-based singer Heatherlyn performed several songs of peace and social justice at Friday's plenary session. Heatherlyn regularly presents with Youthrive: LIVE, and was the 2011 winner of the Midwest “People’s Choice” of NPR’s Mountain Stage/NewSong Performance Contest.
NYLC CEO Kelita Bak closed the plenary session by announcing that the 2013 National Service-Learning Conference will be held in Denver, Colorado by arriving on stage in costume as Denver's trademark blue bear. Many thanks to our conference partner youthrive, all of the amazing participants, presenters, volunteers, and exhibitors, and our wonderful sponsors for making the 2012 conference so inspiring.
Photos: (top) Shirin Ebadi, Nobel Laureate and judge, addressed conference attendees during her plenary speech; (middle) Singer and songwriter Heatherlyn performed on the plenary stage; (bottom) youth emcees Aimee Vue and Vic Griffin and NYLC CEO Kelita Bak dressed as the Denver blue bear announced next year's National Service-Learning Conference site as Denver, Colorado.
Our World, Our Future Day 2: Geoffrey Canada
The second day of Our World, Our Future featured a plenary address from Geoffrey Canada, a full day of workshops, and two off-site service-learning projects.
The plenary address began with Jeron Meriani, a youthrive Board of Directors member, speaking about his experiences with bullying and how he found ways to cope by discovering healthy outlets. Youth emcees Hunter Mullis and Jill Farina introduced Geoffrey Canada, President and CEO of the Harlem Children's Zone, Inc. Canada, nationally recognized for his pioneering work helping children and a passionate advocate for education reform, spoke about his role models, meeting President Clinton shortly after the creation of AmeriCorps, and seizing the moment in your own life.
"Everybody gets their moment; you can't tell when you're moment will come," said Canada. "Will you be ready?" Canada concluded his remarks with a recitation of his poem, "Take A Stand."
Later in the afternoon, conference participants had the opportunity to attend one of two different off-site projects; EcoEducation's Toxic Tour, or Service-Learning in Saint Paul at the Open World Learning Community school. On the tour, participants visited toxic sites in the Twin Cities while exploring environmental racism, justice, land use, and how these issues affect youth. At the Open World Learning Community school, participants helped pack nutritious meals in the school's OWL Against Hunger project in conjunction with ImpactLives, a Minnesota-based nonprofit.
Shirin Ebadi, Nobel Peace Laureate, also led a Thought Leader session and will be featured at a public address tomorrow, Friday, April 13 at 4:30 p.m. at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Tickets to this address are open to the public for $10. Contact the Minneapolis Convention Center for more information.
Photos: (top) Geoffrey Canada addressed Our World, Our Future conference attendees during his plenary speech; (bottom) Conference attendees created food kits during an off-site service-learning project at the Open World Learning Community school in Saint Paul.
Our World, Our Future Begins
The first day of the 23rd Annual National Service-Learning Conference and youthrive PeaceJam Leadership Conference started off with a full day of preconference sessions and ended with a rousing celebration welcoming attendees to Minnesota.
The opening plenary began with an energizing performance by the High School for Recording Arts. Many of the speakers acknowledged the challenges of continuing service-learning in the classrooms because of the cuts from government funding to service-learning. Kelita Svoboda Bak, NYLC CEO, stated, "I remain optimistic about the future of the service-learning movement." Despite the lack of federal funding, U.S. Representative Betty McCollum called on attendees to "keep fighting together for what we know is right, service to our communities." She also encouraged all to share the work that is happening in service-learning. "Speak with your members of congress. Invite them to come see the results."
Other highlights of the evening included a press conference by Special Olympics, where they announced that the new Special Olympics Project Unify Ambassador is American Idol season 10 contestant Lauren Alaina. Alaina, who has volunteered for her local Special Olympics events since she was in sixth grade, gave a special performance of songs from her new album. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood also made a special appearance during the Welcome and Awards Celebration. He presented awards honoring Project Ignition National Leader School students for their effective teen driver safety campaigns.
Throughout the week, conference participants will have opportunities to hear from other inspiring leaders. Starting Thursday, they will be able to create their own conference experience by choosing from hundreds of workshop offerings.
To learn more about the conference, visit www.nylc.org/conference.
To learn more about Project Ignition, visit www.nylc.org/Project_Ignition.
Photos: (top) Kelita Svoboda Bak, NYLC CEO, addressed conference attendees during the plenary session; (middle) Project Ignition students watched U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood use a driving simulator; (bottom) Lauren Alaina, who is currently on a national tour, was announced as the new Special Olympics Project Unify Ambassador and performed on the plenary stage.
Countdown to Global Youth Service Day
This week, thousands of youth in Minnesota will be joining the millions around the world in kicking-off Global Youth Service Day April 14th! This week, thousands of youth in Minnesota will be joining the millions around the world in kicking-off Global Youth Service Day on Saturday, April 14th! Planning teams have been finishing up final details to support the largest service event in world. After attending the National Service-Learning Conference youthrive PeaceJam Leadership Conference in Minneapolis and serving in the Frogtown community in Saint Paul, it will be time to celebrate and kick-off Global Youth Service Day!
The Minnesota Alliance With Youth will be hosting the GYSD Celebration event at the Mall of America from 3-6:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 14th. As the culmination of the conference, “Serve and Celebrate” on Saturday will allow attendees from across the country to experience the lead agency’s Celebration event.
In addition, an exciting partnership with the Minnesota Alliance With Youth and Twin Cities Public Television (TPT), in collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Education, has supported the production of a “for youth, by youth” messaging campaign focused on the messages youth receive on staying in school and youth engagement. This initiative, “One Voice,” will be launched at GYSD. Throughout the event, the youth-created messaging campaign will be displayed in series of video messages.
Other highlights include: hip hop and spoken word performances, dance and step groups, Native Drumming, and more – you won’t want to miss this entertainment representing a global Minnesota! Off the stage, participants will support and engage in on-site service projects, supporting local organizations and highlighting issues of concern for youth.
To ensure this celebration event is a success, the Alliance depends on the support of dedicated local and national partners. Youth Service America and Delta Dental of Minnesota will again be serving as key partners this year. Delta Dental of Minnesota is the largest provider of dental benefits in the Upper Midwest with 3.4 million members nationwide. In support of Global Youth Service Day, Delta Dental of Minnesota has sponsored its 9th annual Serve A Smile mini-grants program, distributing more than $30,000 in mini-grants and in-kind supplies to support over 40 youth-led service projects in Minnesota. One recipient, the Northwest Youth and Family Services (NYFS) STEP program, will host a Healthy STEP Community Health & Wellness Fair. “Healthy STEP” is an annual community health and wellness fair which will be coordinated by students of the STEP program and community resources held on Saturday, April 21st, 2012 from 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. in the Discovery Center at Northwest Youth & Family Services. Healthy STEP will provide the communities of the Northern Suburbs the opportunity to interact with health professionals including dentists, nurses, and police officers regarding oral health, nutrition, exercise and the importance of staying off of drugs.
Community Connections to the Library
This is a series profiling Minnesota service-learning practitioners to celebrate the new announcement that April is now Service-Learning Month in Minnesota. Judy Lander is a teacher at Lake Nokomis School in Minneapolis, and a member of NYLC’s Generator School Network, a free online community for service-learning practitioners to connect and share resources, and plan cool projects like this one.
First graders at Lake Nokomis School in Minneapolis love libraries so much that they’ve built a tiny one of their own. Their teacher Judy Lander is using service-learning to provide her students a new view on the world of reading and books by looking at libraries from different points of view. Their Community Connection project has combined field trips to different local libraries with historical research and hands-on art projects to engage students with classroom curriculum in reading, writing, math, money skills, and art foundation.
As one of the art-related steps, the first-graders worked with students at Roosevelt High School to create and paint small clay libraries, and the visit was rewarding for both classes. “Both groups of students were a little nervous about working with a different age group but both want to do it again after the visit,” said Lander. “My kids have asked when we get to go back and visit again.”
The culminating piece of this year’s work is a Little Free Library planned and designed by the students. The Little Free Library is a small box with books, installed in a public place and operating on the “take a book, leave a book” honor system. Lander’s students created a paper 3D model of their library, and took a field trip to a local hardware store to choose materials and paint. A volunteer woodworker helped with the final construction, students are currently working on choosing the final location for the library and the initial book selection. Students are also working with a local radio station to help promote the new library once it is in service.
The Indigenous Service Forum: A brief history and future vision
2012 marks the 10th anniversary of the annual Indigenous Service Forum (ISF) within the National Service-Learning Conference. Both the conference and forum return to Mni’sota (the Dakota word for smoky or hazy water) in April of 2012. Like many endeavors that seek to address issues of social justice, equity and accessibility for people of color, primarily indigenous youth and communities, the vision and efforts needed to turn the ISF into an annual conference offering had its anticipated growing pains that were also tempered by success.
The ISF came about as a means by which to explore how service-learning could assist in creating a proper and respectful environment in which to more effectively utilize original indigenous thought and philosophy for the benefit of indigenous communities. Research, personal experience/knowledge and calculated projections inform us that a critical stage in how to effectively tackle educational challenges for indigenous peoples has been reached, but still awaits that vehicle of change.
It is therefore time that indigenous communities and the field of service-learning draw more than parallels around the basis of service as a virtue shared by both but often only in theory. However, as indigenous people can attest, there remains the very serious issue of improper appropriation and exploitation of sought after indigenous teachings. It is no secret that indigenous communities that have shared their respective lessons and protected information with non-members/organizations/universities, etc. often find that their presence and value diminish once knowledge or teachings were given out in the spirit of mutual benefit.
The ISF has always existed as a vehicle in which indigenous youth and educators who themselves are practitioners of service in their own right, are given proper power and presence in which to safely share their teachings in ways that are respectful to themselves and their communities. Ground rules and expectations can be set by the indigenous featured presenters to ensure that risk of exploitation is therefore minimized. Attendees may also learn proper etiquette and understand what improper appropriation looks like so that they can recognize those traits when choosing to work with indigenous communities or indigenous youth.
In this 10th anniversary year for the ISF we celebrate the powerful presence of so many indigenous service-learning educators that have graced the conference and forum with their insight. The tribal / indigenous nations represented have spanned the Plains of South Dakota with the Lakota, the northern woodlands of Mni’sota with the Ojibwe, to the southwest with our Navajo and Apache relatives. Indigenous is an encompassing title with more of our relatives from El Salvador to Puerto Rico and from east to west with our Chickasaw, Choctaw and Paiute making their presence known. Additionally our Dutch, German, Laplander and African brothers and sisters have also represented. The Native Hawaiian presence was a powerful sister. A powerful Chicano brother also came to us from the Rockies.
The participation of so many indigenous youth and educators over the years has given rise to the ISF and thus proving that it has not been sustained by any one person or their individual vision, but has matured and gathered strength from the collective visions and original teachings of the indigenous peoples who still remain physically and spiritually attached to their lands and whom chose to serve as featured presenters. It has been their non-political, lack of personal promotion, and indigenous spirit of service that has made the Indigenous Service Forum into the success that it remains to this day.
While there is much work and mutual respect to establish between those indigenous people who truly practice indigenous virtues of service, and those who wish to work with these same communities and people, these past 10 years represent a strong, positive step forward in the creation of mutual work across human created boundaries and obstacles. Most importantly, this decade of interaction and networking has laid the groundwork for the establishment of an Indigenous Service Network that will eventually represent the next step in the evolution of the Indigenous Service Forum.
Reflecting on Rahima
Rahima Carol Wade, 58, died peacefully, embraced by her family at home in Greenfield, on March 27, 2012 from metastatic breast cancer. Educator, author, consultant, and pioneer in the area of service-learning, Wade was also a soul mate to many of the people who loved her long and well.
Rahima used her creativity to be one of the leaders who moved service-learning into the mainstream of preservice teacher education. In 1997, she obtained a grant from the Corporation for National Service to launch the National Service-Learning in Teacher Education Partnership (NSLTEP), a national network of teacher educators who provided professional development to teacher educators to support their adoption of service-learning. In 2000, NSLTEP merged with a similar partnership managed by the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education to become AACTE NSLTEP. In 2003, this group of partners created the International Center for Service-Learning in Teacher Education, which is now housed at Duke University and sponsoring its third international conference.
As Marti Duckenfield, a member of NSLTEP commented, “None of this would have been possible without Rahima!” Don Hill, another member, stated, “I treasure Rahima for her leadership of the National Service-Learning Teacher Education Partnership… She was the heart, soul, and engine of our complex and often difficult collaboration. She was a terrific problem solver… Above all, she was a doer who inspired young and old to commit their energy and talent to the common good.” Jeffrey Anderson, another NSLTEP colleague, agreed, “Her drive and commitment resulted in great successes in research and professional development” in service-learning in teacher education.
In addition to establishing NSLTEP, Rahima wrote numerous books and articles in service-learning in teacher education that remain invaluable for the field. In her articles, she conveyed complex ideas in lucid, accessible terms. Her books, Community Service-Learning: A Guide to Including Service in the Public School Classroom and Social Studies for Social Justice: Teaching Strategies for the Elementary Classroom, are classic resources that not only ground teachers in the foundations of service-learning and social justice teaching, but are packed with creative, practical strategies.
Rahima was a supportive colleague and a true and energetic friend. Her belief in education for civic engagement and social justice and the purity and steadfastness of her purpose were a continuous inspiration to all who knew her. As Marti Duckenfield said, “What a legacy! For those carrying on her vision, the lives of teachers and their students continue to be better.” She will be sorely missed.
We have more information on Rahima's work in a related news article.
Witnessing Climate Change in Bangladesh
On December 17, 2011, I set upon a journey from the United States to study global climate change in Bangladesh for four weeks. Thirty students from across the nation were selected to participate in this cultural exchange to represent our country and build international bridges. Aside from just saying, “My trip was amazing!” I will highlight key events, which range from being on a boat in the Sundarban forest to visiting a school in the slums of Dhaka.
One of the first things that struck me on this trip was my visit to the Jaago Foundation. This trip’s main focus was on climate change, but we also were in Bangladesh to learn about social issues as well. The Jaago Foundation started out as a student from Dhaka, named Korvi, noticing the lack of education in the slums surrounding Dhaka.
He gathered students from the slum and started teaching them simple ABC’s in a carpeted room with a white board. Korvi was 19 when he started this. By the age of 22, he established the Jaago Foundation.
This story of the Jaago Foundation inspires me of how young people are making a positive impact in their community. The school is now a staple contributor to the slum community and has provided many helpful tools for the children to succeed. Just this past year in 2011, the Jaago Foundation helped create Volunteer for Bangladesh. Bangladesh is a young country and there isn’t much of an activist culture yet. But not to fear, there is a strong forefront of youth rising to take on this challenge to make the world a better place.
For most of the second week right after Christmas, the American students boarded a boat. We traveled through Bangladesh’s intertwining river delta to the Bay of Bengal. On this beautiful boat ride, we learned about the stark reality of climate change.
With the rising sea levels, saline water line is slowly intruding into the fresh water areas and obstructing the mangrove forest. We also saw firsthand the destruction done by the recent cyclones, Aila and Sidr. In Bangladesh, cyclones are happening more frequently and with more strength. The Sundarbans act as a fortress for Bangladesh, but it has recently taken much beating from the cyclones and may not be able to save the people of Bangladesh next time. Climate change might not be so prevalent in the U.S. but it is a reality in Bangladesh. The people are forced to deal with it every day. Also, the U.S. is a more affluent country that has more resources to use to deal with climate change whereas Bangladesh is a developing country with limited resources. In the Sundarbans was where I first realized the actuality of climate change.
The third week, I spent most of my time at a service project in Khulna. Some PhD students were doing a survey of the village people asking them about their water supply. The aim of the study was to investigate how saline water was affecting maternal health.
Our service was a different type of service. It wasn’t to the people we were surveying. Over the long term it is for them, but what we were doing at the time was conducting more surveys for the research that the PhD students were doing. One of the most powerful days for me was when we went to a village that was considered a climate change refugee camp. Cyclone Aila hit Bangladesh in 2009 and people still have not recovered from the natural disaster.
We asked one of the village men, “What will you do if another cyclone hits? Will you leave?” He responded passionately, “We will never leave. Me and my children will stay here and die on this land together.” It was so fascinating to hear how connected the Bangladeshi people were to their land. No matter what happens with climate change and its effects on the Bangladeshi people, they will stay and adapt to the situation.
During the fourth week, much of our discussions revolved around the ideas of social business and social action projects. As a part of this trip, the youth participants are required to create a social action project that addresses climate change. To help us with this idea of social business, we visited the Yunus Center.
The Yunus Center is where the creator of micro credit and the Grameen Bank now works, Mohammad Yunus. Grameen Bank and Mohammad Yunus won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for their work in fighting poverty. The concept of a social business is seeing a social issue and creating a business that addresses that issue, much like the Jaago Foundation. For our social action projects, we kept this in mind. My social action project is to create a t-shirt campaign to bring awareness of climate change issues.
Before the trip, I did a survey to see what people knew about climate change and I found out that people didn’t have much knowledge or know much background about climate change. After being in Bangladesh and seeing up close how climate change is affecting people, I wanted to create something that shows that climate change is a reality. I have partnered up with a fellow American student named Megumi and we are collaborating with local artists to design t-shirts that will send a message about climate change.
I would have never guessed that I would travel to a country roughly the size of Iowa. I did not expect to ever wear a salwar kamis. The trip to Bangladesh truly opened my eyes to how interconnected we all are around the world. My actions here in Minnesota are truly affecting those halfway around the world. Climate change is a reality and we must act now to save the future. Bangladesh was amazing, and an eye-opening experience.
I had a wonderful experiential learning opportunity. I would recommend this trip to anyone reading this post. You get to travel to a country that one would not usually go to and learn about climate change with such a distinct perspective. To apply for next year's cohort, visit http://worldsavvy.org/youth-engagement/bangladesh-exchange/apply/
Pajnucci Vue is a student at Highland Park Senior High School in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and a member of NYLC's Board of Directors.
School Engagement: a Key Piece of the Saint Paul Education Plan
Feeling that your work is beneficial and creating change is something that many people seek when they join AmeriCorps. After meeting with Mayor Chris Coleman of the City of Saint Paul this past week, I was able to see another connection to the work I do and how it benefits so many youth not only nationally, but also here in Saint Paul. I met with Mayor Coleman, whose office oversees the City of Saint Paul VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) cohort, along with four other members of my cohort and learned more about Mayor Coleman’s dedication to improving education in Saint Paul.
Through his career as a public defender, he saw many youth who had dropped out of school due to disengagement and feeling like they weren’t “school material.” Coleman sought to promote education and school involvement as a way to reduce the amount of juvenile offenders. When he asked about the work we do with AmeriCorps and at our service sites, I quickly jumped in that NYLC advocates service-learning as a tried and true method to increase test scores and involvement among youth.
As an AmeriCorps VISTA, I do not serve directly with the youth or communities that my work benefits, so when talking with Mayor Coleman, I was able to see another layer of the work that I do. My work at NYLC not only benefits youth nationwide, but also is a key piece in the puzzle for Mayor Coleman’s education plan for Saint Paul. Through service-learning, young people find ways to be invested in their schools and tailor their education in a way that keeps them involved and interested.
I think back to my own experience in middle and high school and how there were times when school seems so pointless, but I remained invested because of my involvement. I am glad to know that the work I do, while indirect, fits in with Mayor Coleman’s education objectives for Saint Paul and benefits the community that I now call home.
