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Youth PeaceMakers Explore Their World
The MCS Summer Youth Peace Makers program combines a number of unique program elements. It has always had a primary focus on community service and engagement. Led by trained staff in the areas of conflict resolution and mediation, MCS Youth Peace Makers choose a community service project to implement in their community. In the past, these projects have included an anti-smoking awareness campaign targeting youth and the cleanup of the Girard Street playground. At the same time, MCS implements a number of additional program elements that help youth succeed in school including introduction to entrepreneurship and job readiness, field trips, and tours of, successful Washington, DC businesses.
During this past summer of 2009, the Youth Peace Makers focused their community service on "going green". Over 30 youth ages 14-21 learned from community experts the importance of water and energy conservation, recycling, and respecting the environment by keeping it clean. Capitol Letters, a local community organization, worked with the Peace Makers to create marketing adds, envision "environmental" super heroes, design and illustrate the ideal "green" home, school, and community. The youth also planted flowers to help better oxygenate their homes.
MCS engaged the Youth Peace Makers in entrepreneurial and job readiness activities that included preparation of their resumes, simulated job interviews, how to dress for a job interview session, and how to write "thank you" follow-up notes. Youth participated in a job readiness workshop focused on identifying career goals and conducted by Year Up.
The youth further explored their career goals by attending the summer College Fair held by the Latin American Youth Center. They had the opportunity to speak with various college representatives and learned about the DC Cap Program. Follow-up visits were made to Howard University and Catholic University. These goals were further explored through the creation of dream boxes and career collages.
The youth researched the structure of the US government and DC local government. They had the opportunity to meet Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, visit the Capitol and witness a congressional session, and tour the White House. The youth researched DC's local wards, identified each ward's council member, and sat in on a hearing of the Youth Forum held by Chairman Gray on teen pregnancy. This topic plus others were explored with select movies that were watched as part of daily activities. focused on various themes including community giving, the process of keeping a daily journal, the power of words. the many layers of meaning involved in communication beyond the use of words, the formation of racial identities and experience of group exclusivity.
Genesis Life Coaching conducted a one-day seminar with the youth focused on exploring one's strengths and potential and identifying common obstacles. Experts in the area of mental health addressed the loss of family and friends and discussed coping techniques. These techniques were explored through art activities - photography, pottery, drawing, mural design and painting - hosted by the Sitar Arts Center. The youth participated in a health fair and explored nutrition, importance of physical activity. They participated in a yoga class and observed learned basic CPR techniques.
The youth learned about the DC's city history through various fieldtrips that included a city tour by DC Ducks along the Potomac River, a visit to Mary McLeod Bethune's home, and the African American Civil War Museum. Unique local businesses were visited such as Cake Love, Sticky Fingers, and Rita's Italian Ice. The difference between a credit union and a commercial bank were explored as youth were guided through the check deposit process. Each participating youth was registered with the DC Deparment of Employment Services.
While the youth initially resisted the ice breakers which initiated the program's every day activities, by the end of the summer, they were designing their own ice breakers and exercising team building values. The youth bonded, learned together, and sought adventure in their everyday. The summer program was ended with a trip to the Cameron Run Water Park!