Last year I planned on attending college this year but ended up seeing something outside of myself. I saw the need to serve with a National Movement. After this foresight I deferred my acceptance to Purdue University and accepted the honor bestowed upon me to be a CYGP Corps Member. There is a City Year Washington DC but I decided to do Philadelphia because I wanted the experience of a new place, as I would get in college and Philly is a great city with great needs.
My team and I have permanent schedules based on our subject interests and/or presence requests by teachers. I help four teachers daily in their classrooms. I do small group tutoring, floating, and have one on one-mediation meetings with students. Although it is only my fourth week at Overbrook I know that I have a huge impact on the students. They expect me to teach, love, and respect them in and outside of the classroom. One student was asked, “Who is your hero?” on an application and answered Ms. Brittany because she helps me and she is so cool. This is one of many things that will motivate me all year to participate in powerful service.
This year of service is extremely meaningful to me because I aspire to be a teacher. But I want to be the best teacher that I can be. This year has improved my skills and given me new ones. Next year I plan to go to college at Old Dominion so that I can get the degree I need to do what I love.
Brittany, 18, corps member, Villa team serving at Overbrook High School
Friday, June 5, 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
CY 101: Spirit Break
At the end of any City Year meeting, event or circle, an inspirational word or phrase is chosen and everyone puts their hand in the center. Those who cannot reach the center of the huddle can put a hand on the shoulder of the person in front of him or her. The person whose hand is on top of the huddle chooses the word or phrase.
Everyone bounces their hand in a countdown of 1-2-3 or C-Y-G-P and the phrase chosen. This power tool was borrowed from team sports as a way to powerfully bring together all the participants in the meeting, circle or event for one final moment of unity before we close.
If there are guests in the meeting, the Spirit Break should be explained, with the rhythm of the break demonstrated before the actual break. If it is garbled or disjointed, have the group re-do the Spirit Break. It is well worth it to repeat so that you can end on the right note.
Everyone bounces their hand in a countdown of 1-2-3 or C-Y-G-P and the phrase chosen. This power tool was borrowed from team sports as a way to powerfully bring together all the participants in the meeting, circle or event for one final moment of unity before we close.
If there are guests in the meeting, the Spirit Break should be explained, with the rhythm of the break demonstrated before the actual break. If it is garbled or disjointed, have the group re-do the Spirit Break. It is well worth it to repeat so that you can end on the right note.
Take an Art Class for Free
The Samuel S. Fleisher Art Memorial is guided by the spirit of its founder, who first extended an invitation in 1898 for "the world to come and learn art." Samuel Fleisher's singular vision of high-quality, tuition-free art instruction continues uninterrupted at the Memorial.
Here, children from all economic and cultural backgrounds share in the commonality of the creative experience and the cultural diversity of the city. Adult artists of all levels of experience study with a distinguished faculty of working artists in diverse fine-arts mediums such as painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, photography, and ceramics.
Fleisher's Romanesque-revival sanctuary provides an evocative, expanded musical and performance context for the understanding of time-based arts and the many meanings of culture.
The Challenge exhibition series, established in 1978, presents some of the region's best artists in a highly selective and widely respected competition.
Fleisher Art Memorial - 719 Catharine St. Philadelphia, PA 19147 * 215-922-3456 * www.fleisher.org
Here, children from all economic and cultural backgrounds share in the commonality of the creative experience and the cultural diversity of the city. Adult artists of all levels of experience study with a distinguished faculty of working artists in diverse fine-arts mediums such as painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, photography, and ceramics.
Fleisher's Romanesque-revival sanctuary provides an evocative, expanded musical and performance context for the understanding of time-based arts and the many meanings of culture.
The Challenge exhibition series, established in 1978, presents some of the region's best artists in a highly selective and widely respected competition.
Fleisher Art Memorial - 719 Catharine St. Philadelphia, PA 19147 * 215-922-3456 * www.fleisher.org
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Corps Member's tricks to living on a stipend
Living on the stipend can be tricky some times. There are many bills you will have to pay from rent and utilities to groceries and internet. The first thing I suggest to you is to apply for food stamps as soon as you can. I unfortunately did not apply for food stamps before I started working and I have not had time to get them. If you do get food stamps it will really help you because it is basically like getting an extra paycheck every month.
One of the hardest points in the year to get through financially is the winter time. What I recommend is to keep your thermostat as low as you can without your pipes freezing. My house keeps ours at about 55 or 57. All you have to do is get a space heater for your bedroom and an electric blanket for your bed and you will be good to go. Don’t be afraid to put on a few extra layers. Also, it is probably a good idea to keep an extra space heater in the bathroom for after you get out of the shower. I have heard stories about some groups having $700+ bills for heat and electric, so I advise you to be very careful at least for the first month or two of winter. Our house has never had a bill over $130.
As far as food goes I recommend going on a big shopping trip for frozen foods and dinners about once a month and stock up. If you plan it out this way then all you need to buy weekly are things like milk, bread, or anything else you need/want. I also suggest you pack your lunch everyday. Buying lunch can add up very quickly. It is much easier to pack a lunch with a sandwich and a few snacks. I hope that my advice can help you survive on the stipend.
Joe, 18, corps member, Berwind team at Hopkinson
One of the hardest points in the year to get through financially is the winter time. What I recommend is to keep your thermostat as low as you can without your pipes freezing. My house keeps ours at about 55 or 57. All you have to do is get a space heater for your bedroom and an electric blanket for your bed and you will be good to go. Don’t be afraid to put on a few extra layers. Also, it is probably a good idea to keep an extra space heater in the bathroom for after you get out of the shower. I have heard stories about some groups having $700+ bills for heat and electric, so I advise you to be very careful at least for the first month or two of winter. Our house has never had a bill over $130.
As far as food goes I recommend going on a big shopping trip for frozen foods and dinners about once a month and stock up. If you plan it out this way then all you need to buy weekly are things like milk, bread, or anything else you need/want. I also suggest you pack your lunch everyday. Buying lunch can add up very quickly. It is much easier to pack a lunch with a sandwich and a few snacks. I hope that my advice can help you survive on the stipend.
Joe, 18, corps member, Berwind team at Hopkinson
CY 101: Skit (“Getting Skittish”)
One of the best ways to communicate or instruct about a topic or idea is to act out the story that you’re trying to get across. This is a great power tool for communication, as well as using creativity, critical thinking, and teamwork.
Skits can be incorporated into trainings, meetings, after school programs, etc. They can be the warm up, a team builder, an inclusivity training, to emphasize the story being told or the subject at hand.
The writing and practice of the skit makes the participants think clearly about the information they’re presenting to the audience and how best to communicate their point to the viewers. The best skits are both creative and informative.
The Idealist Handbook’s 8 Elements to Successful Skits:
1. Keep it Simple: Brainstorm just one theme and stick with it, rather than being overly complex.
2. Give ‘em a hook!: Grab and hold the audience’s attention with a key line or repetitive action that will drive home your skit’s theme.
3. Don’t be a facts machine: Only incorporate the most important info. Leave out the unnecessary stats.
4. Keep your head in the crowds: Know your audience and tailor the performance to the needs of group.
5. Act simple: Overacting can drain the attention away from the skit’s story, lessening its impact on the audience.
6. May I see your dramatic license, please?: Get creative with the simple elements you have available to you: gestures and props can set the scene for the audience.
7. Glean for lean scenes: Once you get the basics of your skit down, keep them basic. Cut what you don’t need and the audience will appreciate the brevity.
8. It takes a village…to write a skit: Skits are as much about teamwork as teaching a lesson, so make sure everyone’s input is heard.
Skits can be incorporated into trainings, meetings, after school programs, etc. They can be the warm up, a team builder, an inclusivity training, to emphasize the story being told or the subject at hand.
The writing and practice of the skit makes the participants think clearly about the information they’re presenting to the audience and how best to communicate their point to the viewers. The best skits are both creative and informative.
The Idealist Handbook’s 8 Elements to Successful Skits:
1. Keep it Simple: Brainstorm just one theme and stick with it, rather than being overly complex.
2. Give ‘em a hook!: Grab and hold the audience’s attention with a key line or repetitive action that will drive home your skit’s theme.
3. Don’t be a facts machine: Only incorporate the most important info. Leave out the unnecessary stats.
4. Keep your head in the crowds: Know your audience and tailor the performance to the needs of group.
5. Act simple: Overacting can drain the attention away from the skit’s story, lessening its impact on the audience.
6. May I see your dramatic license, please?: Get creative with the simple elements you have available to you: gestures and props can set the scene for the audience.
7. Glean for lean scenes: Once you get the basics of your skit down, keep them basic. Cut what you don’t need and the audience will appreciate the brevity.
8. It takes a village…to write a skit: Skits are as much about teamwork as teaching a lesson, so make sure everyone’s input is heard.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Starfish Corps Graduation
Yesterday, I had the privilege of going to West Philadelphia High School to help the FirsTrust team there with their Starfish Corps graduation.
The West Philly team ran Starfish Corps, a mini-City Year for 3rd- through 5th grade students, at Lea Elementary this year. To cap off the students' year of service and lessons, the team led the students through a scavenger hunt around the neighborhood.
Starfish visited the library, the YMCA, Malcolm X Park, Barkan Park, and a Water Ice vendor, learning things about their neighborhood and city as they went.
The team that finished first received refurbished trophies courtesy Laura (who collected Irish dancing trophies earlier this year to give out to students) on the Shaw team (which makes up the other half of the FirsTrust West-Shaw Team).
Seeing the kids with the corps members they look up to, having friendly competition, and playing games to celebrate all they've done this year was one of the best afternoons I've had this year, which is saying a lot.
West is just one of many teams wrapping up Starfish Corps this and last week, so thanks for all your hard work, and congratulations to our Starfish!
Mega, 24, recruitment senior corps member
The West Philly team ran Starfish Corps, a mini-City Year for 3rd- through 5th grade students, at Lea Elementary this year. To cap off the students' year of service and lessons, the team led the students through a scavenger hunt around the neighborhood.
Starfish visited the library, the YMCA, Malcolm X Park, Barkan Park, and a Water Ice vendor, learning things about their neighborhood and city as they went.
The team that finished first received refurbished trophies courtesy Laura (who collected Irish dancing trophies earlier this year to give out to students) on the Shaw team (which makes up the other half of the FirsTrust West-Shaw Team).
Seeing the kids with the corps members they look up to, having friendly competition, and playing games to celebrate all they've done this year was one of the best afternoons I've had this year, which is saying a lot.
West is just one of many teams wrapping up Starfish Corps this and last week, so thanks for all your hard work, and congratulations to our Starfish!
Mega, 24, recruitment senior corps member
Civil War and Underground Railroad Museum and Lecture Series
Although the museum’s collection is not currently available for public viewing as they move to a new location—having outgrown their old digs at 18th and Pine, the Civil War and Underground Railroad Museum continues to educate about and commemorate the participants in the Civil War and Underground Railroad through lecture series.
These once a month events are on a wide variety of topics and take place at many locations throughout the city and suburbs.
For more information, visit the museum's web site.
These once a month events are on a wide variety of topics and take place at many locations throughout the city and suburbs.
For more information, visit the museum's web site.
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