Saturday, December 3, 2016

Lauren D., Week 13

We Are Eager….
We are eager to challenge stigmas and bridge the gap of social inclusion.
We wonder how our world can be consumed with hate, based on culture, skin color and differences.
We hear the energized voices of the younger generation and suddenly our souls are filled with hope.
We see how cruel this world can be others and no longer be silent bystanders of this nastiness.
We are eager to challenge stigmas and bridge the gap of social inclusion.
We feel courageous and empowered, bringing community awareness to obstacles that genuinely exist for minorities.
We touch each other’s hearts by engaging in uncomfortable conversations that need to heard and listened to in order to create change.
We worry that even with global efforts and determination for equality, obstacles will always be put in place.
We cry witnessing the injustices of human beings.
We are eager to challenge stigmas and bridge the gap of social inclusion.
We understand that even though we cannot change the actions of others, we can speak up and not be muzzled.
We say THINK love, SPEAK love, BE loved.
We dream of a safe community, where individuals are not forced to hide themselves to be accepted.
We try to be courageous in challenging superficial fears of those amerced in prejudices.
We hope to never feel defeated in bringing social reform to educators, law enforcement, politicians and others in society.

We are eager to challenge stigmas and bridge the gap of social inclusion.

Monday, November 21, 2016

Lauren D., Week 12



When we think about a bridge, we often think about a solid structure that allows us to cross from one point to another.  The structure is often created to aid in crossing water or other dangerous grounds.  To think of where we are today as a nation, the foundation of accepting diversity and culture most surely is unstable and in need of aid.

Over the last couple of weeks, I have witnessed amazing youth and young adults utilizing their passion to create change by working together in raising community awareness on cultural competency.  Reflecting back to first couple of weeks our group met, I was beyond inspired by the insight participant’s vocalized, the visions they saw and the knowledge they possessed. 

This groups’ creativity has now come to life in their own construction of a bridge to close the gaps of social inclusion.  From taking everyday materials and working together to form the bridge outline, to painting the flags of each of their countries, the process has been incredible to witness.  It brings so much excitement and hope within my heart and soul to think of revealing this art piece and the process which occurred to make it all happen.

I have learned through my MSW journey that there are not magic wands or superhero capes.  For if there were, one of my greatest wishes would be for this world to be more accepting of others; for diversity to embraced not feared.  Through this project, I have had the opportunity to connect with a group who is not afraid to talk about the genuine gaps that create obstacles on a daily basis for minorities in regards to social inclusion.  It is these conversations that need to exist and need to be heard.


So it is now to time get the word out about our exciting reveal…..to politicians, to law enforcement, to educators and school administrators, to anyone who is willing to partake in this incredible journey to creating a stronger and safer community! 

Bridging the Gaps for Social Inclusion
December 13, 2016
6:30 p.m.
WCHP Classroom @ UNE


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Designing the bridge

The group worked hard on painting and creating their own styles and ideas to complete this bridge.



As you can see this is not the finished product.

Please join us on December 13th at 6:30pm on the University of  New England  Portland campus, Blewett building to see the finish product. 


Most importantly, come to show support for our youth and young adults. By coming together, we can help bridge cultural gaps  for our youth. 

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The bridge has been paper mache














Priming the bridge for the group to add their design styles

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This week our time was limited. We worked together to build the ends of the bridge and to start to develop the training program for teachers.






The group came up with 3  components  for the training:
Slide show fro teachers on cultural competency and looking at the dynamics within a classroom setting for both teachers and students.
Present a survey for teachers pre and post os the training program to document growth of cultural competency.
Offer focus groups led by students and Kesho Wazzo at the beginning and end of the training. 
The first focus group would consist of having a dialog about the cultural dynamic of the a classroom. What do teachers know and do not know about cultural competency and Identify issues in the calls room setting and in the educational system as a whole.

The 2nd focus group would be at the end of the training to come up with ways to bridge the gaps between students and teachers.

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 This week we started to build the bridge. It took a lot of thought and figuring out how to design it.  The young adults from Kasha Wazzo were very creative in building the structure. 

Materials used were all recycled materials: foam poster board, paper mache spiders (left over from halloween) to form the arch. cardboard boxes, sticks of wood , foam tubing and lots and lots of duck tape! 

This week was a short meeting time.  The Kesho Wazzo group had an event they were part of.


Lisa D. Blog 8

This week the group of young teens and UNE students looked at the commonalities of information form the focus groups. What was found was a focus on communication and language as well as teachers and the dynamics in a class room.

We decided to develop a training program for teachers, school counselors, principles and office staff. First initial ideas are to develop a survey to see what educational staff know about cultural gaps within the class room and how they are a part of bridging these gaps. Another thought was to develop a training program that focuses on informing about cultural competency. 



The group also started a rough draft designed of the bridge for the art component of this project. The middle will be arched with tall square ends. There will be a middle sculpture piece that represents the training program.