For my service learning project, I have decided I want to focus on at risk youth. I have always had an interest in this topic and as I a Political Science and Criminal Justice double major I feel that it will be of value to both my majors though the focus is for this course. I am still waiting to get a few more names of centers around Ventura county that to look into volunteering at, as I am not really sure where to begin, but I should have a place within the next week or so.
One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed
a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.
Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?”
The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean.
The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”
“Son,” the man said, “don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish?
You can’t make a difference!”
After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish,
and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said…”
I made a difference for that one.”
So while some of us may feel like we aren't learning anything, or doing much to help, you never really have any idea. I think working with at risk you is the best example of that, yes they will be put off by my help, my mentoring, or my friendship...but in the end it will make a difference to them. It may not be significant, but it could be as well. Even if I only make a difference to just one, then world is better off just a little bit more than it was before, and I think that it was citizenship and civic engagement is all about.
Ashley good start and good cause but you need to use the weekly reflections to think about how the readings for the week apply to the issue you're working on this semester.