If there is one
thing I have learned from going to service at the Guilford School it is that
the boys have what it takes, the power, to create the future they want. I work
with a specific group of 3 boys and in the three hours I sit with them every
Monday, I learn so much about each of them. I learn about their likes/dislikes,
hear about their hopes and dreams and most important, I see their potential. Acts 4 youth teaches these
young boys about teamwork, self-discipline, respect and responsibility. These traits
are used to reinforce the importance of good decision making and overcoming
peer pressure and succumbing to things that will interfere with their future
and success. In relation to the readings for this week, Acts 4 youth emphasizes
seizing opportunities that come your way and taking charge of your own life.
Not
only does Richard Hague’s poem, “Directions for Resisting the SAT”, give tips
on how to do poorly on the SAT’s, “do not observe thru les of gravity, commons,
history,” but rather it challenges the reader to take charge. Why should we
spend our lives following grammatical rules and memorizing facts about life of
George Washington? The speaker tells the reader to “listen to no one.” Now,
when it comes to the Guilford school, I do not urge the students to disobey the
teacher and ignore the rules of the classroom. I do think the students should think outside the box and work hard
for what they desire. I can understand and empathize with their frustration of
school work throughout the day. The boys are forced to learn subjects that do
not apply to them and they are not aware of when all of it will “come into
play.” Most know that the school day is filled with busy work of things they
“have” to learn, but why do they have
to know this? How does this pertain to them and their direct future? Hague ends
the poem saying “make your marks on everything.” If you’re going to do
something, do it big. As they say, “go big, or go home.” I can honestly say
that if the students at Guilford put as much energy in their future as they do
joking around in the classroom, they would be successful and happy. The truth
of the matter is that they won’t put in the same amount of energy or effort
because that do not see the point. I feel as though the boys get discouraged when
they don’t understand a certain subject or assignment, but as made clear in the
poem, one test, or assignment, should not determine their future and should not
discourage them from potential success.
“First
Practice”, a poem by Gary Gildner, has a much different feel. The coach comes
off as very strict and demanding, but inspiring in a sense. He allows an
opportunity for the boys to leave, but no one does. The boys made the
commitment to the team and are determined to win. At any moment, the boys at
the Guilford can just get up and storm out. In the weeks I have been there, I have never witnessed this. I
have seen boys get frustrated, complain, give up on the work in the moment, but
with just a little bit of encouragement and a reminder of why we are all
there…they keep going. I feel as though I am a cheerleader on the sidelines for
the boys at the school. I keep them on track, but stay on their side. I tell
them that I understand that the work may seem too hard, or too easy, just not
right. In the poem, the coach makes it clear that practice will be hard, but
that they all have their eyes on the same thing: to win. If the boys at
Guilford keep their mind on the endless possibilities of their future, the
hardships right now won’t will just act as minor setbacks.
“Serving Hope” by Stephanie Shapiro tells the story of the Simpson’s who
have made a program to help individuals who have had drug problems or were
convicts. Galen Simpson is a chef who started a free culinary program by
getting a grant from the Baltimore Community Fellowship program. His wife
started her “own society fellowship to bring a literacy program to incarcerated
mothers and their children”. Brock and Lewis who are the main two individuals
talked about in the story were found from a local recovery program. The two now
work at Simpson’s restaurant. Brock says she “feels valued” at the restaurant
and is treated well. Despite any past decisions, Brock and Lewis are able to
start fresh and feel important. The boys at school are well aware of their
surroundings and some feel as though there is no point in putting hard work
into their studies. This story is a success story. It is inspiring. At anytime
the kids can change their fate and decide their future. There are no excuses;
it is their choice, their responsibility, their opportunity.
Bharati
Mukherjee displays the harm that occurs when decision making is taken away in the short story “A Father”. Babli is
pregnant and Mr. Bhowmick is concerned that the baby will be born out of
wedlock but is also excited at the thought of a grandson running around. Babli
finally admits that her baby does not have a father, rather “a bottle and
syringe.” Mr. Bhowmick lets her explain her opinion but does not take a second
to think about his actions. He hits her stomach with a rolling pin. This rash
decision changes everything in the family. It is vital for, not only the boys
at Guilford, but everyone to think before they act. Decisions made can not only
change their lives but the people around them. It was stated in a meeting with
Acts4Youth that the students that Guilford is filled with three groups: for
lack of better terms, the high, medium, and low students. The “high” students
will be accepted into private schools, the “medium” students will go to Votech,
get a simple job, and some may go to college. It is the “low” students that
everyone must worry about. The leader explained to our group that a small
amount of these will go to school and that the rest have to potential to turn
in the wrong direction. It’s terrible to think about this. I find it hard to
imagine the young, sweet, and social boys I’ve gotten the opportunity to know
will go down the wrong path. What’s even worse is the thought that their
decisions won’t only influence their life, but everyone around them, including
me, you, the students that live in homeland, or the students who need to walk
to CVS on a Thursday night. It is the brash decisions, for whatever reason,
that can that ability to impact more than just one person. It is these
decisions that deserve a second thought.
People reinforce the thought that hard work, determination, and faith
can get you anywhere you want to go. It is more than that, it is the decision to work hard, be determined,
and have faith that can change a future.
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