What is youth work?

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As I read the text I began to reflect on my experience as a youth in community-based programs. I remember being a youth participant of free community programs or after school programs. I felt fortunate that these free programs existed for someone like me (low-income). I knew that if I wanted to join a dance class or take part of art, or additional academic prep I had to hope someone in my community was offering it for free. Or hope that my school had the staff to offer after school programs beyond just education focused. Of course at the time I didn't recognize the effort and sacrifice that the community-led programs required. Again, I felt fortunate. However, as the article mentioned I did note a lack of professionalization in the programs, with many youth workers without uniformed ways to carry out the work. Still, they served positively for the gap in extracurricular activities in my youth due to income.

What I found interesting in reading the second text, as youth organizations like the YMCA and Scouts of America are mentioned. It reminded me of my experience with the Boys and Girls Club. Contrary to the text where it mentions some of the intention of these youth organizations were to explore primitive culture and the natural world - free from restriction. That is actually the thing I didn't enjoy from my experience at the Boys and Girls Club. At least the one I went to back in the 2000's. I found the "laid-back", "explore as you like" to be intimidating and I struggled to feel comfortable with the "options" of activities to do. It truly felt like a way to pass time because my mom was at work (as the first text referenced). It lacked "youth development" because I wasn't inspired or led to cultivate what I may have "needed" or could of benefit from being encouraged to explore as a youth. Clearly this approach didn't work for the youth I was at the time.

Comments

  1. Victoria RestlerSeptember 19, 2024 at 9:55 AM

    Thanks for sharing your reflections, Steph. I wonder if your experiences at the Boys & Girls club echoed some of Johnston-Goodstar's references in her article about turning indigenous practices into games and play?

    ReplyDelete

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