"Field Trip" #3

During my meeting with my sponsor earlier today, Mrs. Hilinski and I discussed my presentation and my thesis statement for my research paper. Mrs. Hilinski thought that it would be a good idea to get the audience involved by allowing them to do an activity that would make them feel comfortable while I present. She also suggested that I use the concept of the Garden Project as some what a metaphor for the growth of the women that are involved in the program. We talked about using the Garden Project as the meat and potatoes of my paper and finding other things that would contribute to the completion of my presentation and my research paper. During our meeting, Mrs. Hilinski and I also discussed other ideas that will remain a surprise until the day of my presentation. I am looking forward to beginning my paper so that I can use it to help come up with more ideas for my presentation. I hope that my presentation will be all that I dream of it being and much much more.

Mingling With Moreland #3

During this weeks meeting with my mentor, we discussed the basics for my project. Mr. Moreland and I pretty much talked about the topic for my research paper and how I could incorporate my visits to the Garden Project into my thesis statement and my paper. We came up with a couple of well known people that contributed to the production of social work. For example, Dorothea Dix played a major role in the establishment of social work along with Ralph Waldo Emerson and other people in history. We then discussed my meetings with my sponsor and how she is helping with my project and my presentation. Mr. Moreland suggested that I use all of the different ideas that I receive from the Garden Project and anywhere else that inspires me to write a descent research paper. Our meeting ended after we talked about the next date for my visit to the Garden Project and any needs or questions that I had regarding my presentation.

We All Need a Little Dirt

While listening to my I-Pod on the bus ride to school this morning, I realized that I was listening to a song that pertains to my project. The song is called “Dirt” and it is by the gospel artists named Mary Mary. I found it ironic that song started off talking about a garden and how my field trips with my sponsor are to the Garden Project. The song then goes into how we all need a little dirt to grow and how underneath a garden there are a number of unpleasant things that make up this beautiful garden. I began to see how this song could be encouraging to the women at the Garden Project and how it actually relates to the many things that they’ve been through on their journey of life. To be quite honest, this song has helped me get over some problems that I’ve endured this past year. I believe that this song could actually help me come up with some ideas for my project and hopefully you’ll find it as encouraging and inspirational as I have.

Enjoy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eg4JCVaKPE8

Roger That!!!

Sunday, February 20, 2011, a friend of mine was falsely arrested for a crime that he did not commit. Sunday night Rashad, a friend of the family, was seen walking with one of his relatives to the store. Earlier that day someone that supposedly “resembled” Rashad committed a crime. I find it sad how a man that rarely ever goes out the house is automatically accused of a crime the moment he is seen in public. Yet, I am not surprised that the police can be so shallow & assault a man because they assumed he was the right guy. After all of the commotion they caused the police ended up letting him go free after saying “Oh sorry, you’re the wrong guy”. I’m shocked that they apologized but, I’m upset at the fact that it took them so long to realize that they were wrong. This incident proves to me how stereotypical and unkind the police officers can be not only in Camden but, all over New Jersey. I believe that these officers should be ashamed of themselves because they should have been certain before they decided to arrest anyone. When Rashad got home later that night pictures of the cuts and bruises that were inflicted on him from a broken pair of hand cuffs were taken. Due to the ignorance of these officers a lawsuit is about to take place. It turns out that justice will be served after all.  

Social Butterfly

On Monday, Valentines Day, my mother gave me a heart shaped box full of chocolates that reminded me of my project. The name that was written on the box said “Social Butterfly”, how ironic. I found it very cute how on Valentines Day, one of the most dreaded days of the year for some, my mother found a way to incorporate my project. I thanked my mother and demolished the chocolate treats third period in school. Of course, like many women do, I bit into every last piece of candy until I found a piece that I enjoyed. Needless to say, I ate about two pieces of candy out of the entire box and gave the rest to my friend who enjoys the exotic flavors that they put inside of the chocolate in the spirit of Valentines Day.  

The box of chocolate meant much more to me then a day that I received a “token of love” from my mother but, it meant that my mom acknowledges what I do and believe in when it comes to social work. I believe that the box of candy was the highlight of my day due to the fact that any other second I was disgusted by all the bear and hug giving of every other person in the school. Some may say that I was the “Scrooge” of Valentines Day but, I believe that you shouldn’t pick one day out of the year to express your love to someone. I think that if you really cared let alone loved for that significant other you should take a little time out of everyday to prove it.  

Naleah LUE (granny's namesake)

A person that has been very influential in my life would have to be Sandra Lue Alvis, my grandmother. If you haven’t noticed, I have a quote that my grandmother once said to me at the very top of my blog. Clearly, my granny is a very wise woman that has been through many life changing experiences based on the quote that’s above. Since I was a child, my grandmother has always told me that I can be whatever I want to be and come hell or high water she would always be there for me. She not only demonstrates what it is to be a virtuous woman, but she renders what it is to be a wonderful mother and an even better grandmother to all of us. My grandmother is the type of person that is a fighter and will be completely honest with you no matter what.

Another famous Sandra Lue quote, “Don’t mess with my kids, my man, or my money…” depicts just how feisty she can be at times if she feels as if her niceness is being mistaken for weakness.  With this being said, she never gives advice that she doesn’t believe in or wouldn’t dare try herself. Although she isn’t perfect, she tries her best and that’s all that really matters to me. My grandmother has taught me so much in the past seventeen years that will never be forgotten. To be quite honest, I am who I am because my grandmother has truly been a major factor in my life. My “grandma Lue” will always have a place in my heart that no one will ever be able to take. I’m sure that the lessons that I’ve learned thus far are only a sneak peak of the many teachings to come. The lessons that I’ve been taught are ones that I will instill in my children, if I ever have any, my grandchildren and all of the other generations to come.  

Field Trip #2

During my “Field Trip” with my sponsor, Mrs. Hilinski, we discussed our visit to the Garden Project and the emotions that we experienced while we were there. The women there were all very friendly and if I didn’t know that they once committed a crime, which I’m sure we all did once or twice in our lives, I would have thought that they were all everyday women that I would see on a regular basis. This visit to the Garden Project enabled me to see the different personalities that were in the room and how the women expressed themselves in a number of ways. For example, some women were really open and willing to express their ideas and feelings about the program and how it is giving them an opportunity to feel like an actual human being. While, other people were quiet and expressed their feelings through a simple head nod or a modest smile. But, the most intriguing part of my experience at the Garden Program was the fact that at the Garret House, a halfway house in Camden, the people that run program and the people that live there don’t treat the women as if they are actual living breathing individuals. I found it unfortunate that the people who work at the halfway house believe that their version of “tough love” is best for the women that live in the Garret House. While, I believe that treating other human beings like dirt just to “treat them a lesson” is a blow below the belt. Terrible treatment doesn’t make people want to do better but it dehumanizes them causing them to shut down and not want to better the world or themselves for that matter. 

As my sponsor and I sat and listened to the women speak at the meeting we could tell that they were genuinely grateful for the treatment that they receive when they come to the Garden Project. And to be quite honest, my heart began to warm and in awe I sat and nearly cried listening to the different things that the women had to say to the people that run the Garden Project. I felt a sense of pride for Ms. Pricilla, the founder of the Garden Project, simply because she started something that other people wouldn’t have the courage to begin let alone keep going for five years strong. I have so much respect for Ms. Pricilla because she makes these women that I’m sure have gone through so much feel like they matter. If the truth be told that’s all everyone in this life wants today. People want to feel as if they are needed or at least thought of by someone else. Its one thing to just baby someone for doing something wrong, but it’s something completely different to show respect towards someone that committed a wrong and is doing everything in their power to right their wrongs. In the end, in order to build your character you must first help someone else build theirs. I believe that the Garden Project will enable me to help others and gain a sense of self-satisfaction, something that is much more valuable when you work for it.

"Missing Moreland" :(

I was going to title my meeting with my sponsor “Mingling with Moreland” but, unfortunately my mentor was absent today. Instead of becoming discouraged, I decided to write about the mini powwow sessions that we’ve had during the week. For example, while in my A.P. History class Mr. Moreland and I discussed my meetings with my sponsor and my field trip to the Garden Project this weekend. With this being said, we’ve come up with a couple of ideas that will help make my project a complete success. We both agree that my presentation should be something that involves the audience as much as possible so they don’t begin to feel as if my presentation is something mandatory. I believe that once the audience is involved in my presentation, they will be more comfortable and willing to listen to what I have to say while I present. I’m sure that when Mr. Moreland comes back on Monday we will have many more things to talk about due to the fact that I’m going to the Garden Project this weekend. Until then, I’m “Missing Moreland”.

Moving Up In The World!!!

Earlier this week, I was turned onto a new song by a singer named Miguel. The title of it is “Sure Thing” and the song reminds me of something that the music industry, in my opinion, has lacked for a very long time. Meaning. I believe Miguel brings something unique to the table. He isn’t your typical artist; the songs that I have heard from him so far actually have feeling and make you think you’re undergoing the emotions that he experiences when he sings. The “typical artist” such as Trey Songz (wants people to think he invented sex), Chris Brown (doesn’t want females to be on that “bs”), Ciara (wants men to like the way she rides it), Rhianna (wants men to say her name) and etc. generally sing about sex, they don’t sing about their true feelings that fans can relate to. I feel that music should be more than just the lick me, touch me, feel me crap and more about TRUE love and real problems that go on in the world. I’ve always thought that music was supposed to have meaning and make you have somewhat a one on one experience with the artist, Miguel did just that. This song made me feel like we had some type of connection and I’ve never met him a day in my life. Well done Miguel, you really are moving up in the world!!!     

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRM_AFfTkkk

My Very First "Ah-hah!!" Moment

After being let out from bible study last night, my mother came across a young women and her child walking to the transportation center in the freezing cold. Being the caring individual that she is, my mother decided to give them a ride to the transportation center. Once they got in the van, we began to have a number of conversations and there was one topic that came up that just so happened to pertain to my research paper. The young lady told us how she had a rough childhood and how before she got pregnant with her first child she was in the foster care system until she turned 18. With this being said, I became very interested in her story and to be quite honest I got a little teary-eyed simply because I can only imagine the sleepless nights and other obstacles that this women had to endure. Clearly, something had to go wrong in her foster care experience because she was a young woman with two children walking the streets of Camden at night. There were so many questions that I wanted to ask her but at the same time I didn’t want to get too personal with a complete stranger and I can only imagine how uncomfortable she may have been last night. Last night was definitely one to remember simply because it taught me that there are people in the world that still care and want to help others. That encounter allowed me to realize where I get my compassionate heart from and gives me a little bit more hope for the people in this world.  

Field Trip #1

Monday afternoon, I was given the opportunity to have my first official meeting with my sponsor. During our little powwow, we began to discuss the different aspects of my project that I am going to present at the end of the year. With this being said, we also touched base on the field trip that we will have this Saturday to the Garden Project in Camden, NJ. I’ve been to the Garden Project one time since I was given some information about the “halfway house” and the different activities that they do there for the women that were either once incarcerated or still incarcerated today. The Garden Project is a great opportunity for me to obtain information about my research paper use to the fact that it is about, “the system” and the treatment that they give people that were not dealt a good hand by life. I believe that my research paper will enlighten myself and others simply because it is going to obtain information that pertains to everyday life. I look forward to embarking on this topic and hopefully I will have a successful presentation. 

What Do I Think??!!!

I believe that our Kickoff Event was definitely a success. Although, I was very nervous while doing my presentation, I think that it helped prepare me for my project at the end of the year. While I talked about the different aspects of my project, I believe that the audience felt that I was a little out of my element but, I think that they could tell that I had a passion for helping people that are less fortunate than I am. I believe that I would have been happier with my presentation if I wasn’t so nervous about speaking in front of an unfamiliar crowd. It seems like every time I have to present something, I have all of the right words to say but, I freeze up when it is actually my time to speak. Once I master the art of public speaking, I believe that I will become much more successful while trying to sell my point to an audience. Aside from the fact that I was anxious, I believe that I communicated very well with the audience. I feel that I projected while speaking and kept very good eye contact. The Kickoff Event was a little sneak peek of our project presentation at the end of the year. With this being said, now that I realize what I need to work on I can prepare myself for my presentation at the end of the year and hopefully everything will run smoothly.   

Kick Off Event!!!

Hello, my name is Naleah Johnson and welcome to my blog!!! Before I briefly speak about my Senior Project topic, I would like to introduce you to my mother, Emily Johnson. Mr. Moreland, my mentor, and the best history teacher ever (lol). And last but not least my sponsor, Mrs. Jen Hilinski, who is a student assistant counselor here at LHS. Mrs. Hilinski use to work in a psychiatric hospital but, she now does a lot of other work with students inside and outside of our school. 

The major that I decided to embark on for my project is social work. I find this topic to be something that not only benefits me but people all over the world. I believe that once I get out of high school and graduate from college, I will want to do something that will help make a world a better place to live. Although this may sound very cliché, I honestly feel that if there were more people in the world that thought less about their paycheck at the end of the week and more about the wellbeing of others the world as we know it could truly be changed.

During our project we have to incorporate a research paper in to our presentation. I’ve been brain storming about my thesis statement for my paper and I feel that the best fit topic for my presentation would be the treatment that people receive from “the system”. Although, I still have a great deal of tweaking to do, I believe that I am off to a good start and I can’t wait to get more into my project. Thank you!!!