Community Systems Photo Essay

1. Community Systems Photo Essay byRhonda Winters HSP 404 Winter 2014

2. Learning outcome one Learning outcome one: Analyze community systems and structures and design and evaluate processes to initiate change through specific strategies, tactics, activities and social policy advocacy

3. Learning outcome one: Analyze community systems and structures and design and evaluate processes to initiate change through specific strategies, tactics, activities and social policy advocacy • Wheatley& Frieze (2008) said Jobert Park may seem an unlikely setting for one of Africa’s most progressive green initiatives, but against all expectations, The GreenHouse Project proudly sprawls across the northwest corner of the park (p. 87). This garden has been in Joubert Park since 2002 and the director, Dorah Lebelo has been there since the beginning. Their goal is to empower people so they can realize that they already have the knowledge to move forward with this project.

4. Learning outcome one: Analyze community systems and structures and design and evaluate processes to initiate change through specific strategies, tactics, activities and social policy advocacy • According to Homan (2011), planning is a process, and a series of steps to take to gather information and make decisions to determine your plan (p. 180). We need to know what we want to achieve, what we have to work with, actions to take, specific tasks, assign responsibility, analyze outcome, and modify the plan. As human service workers we need to know that change is good and to keep these steps in place so that we can get that positive impact we will be working so hard to get.

5. Learning outcome one: Analyze community systems and structures and design and evaluate processes to initiate change through specific strategies, tactics, activities and social policy advocacy • Be a good neighbor and help build good neighborhoods. • Have a block party • organize a facelift committee as suggested by Homan (2011), neighborhood cleanup, minor housing rehabilitation or beautification, tree planting and other landscaping; community gardens, and beatifying commercial corridors. This would be quite a project, but if enough neighbors got involved it could work!

6. Learning outcome one: Analyze community systems and structures and design and evaluate processes to initiate change through specific strategies, tactics, activities and social policy advocacy • I think we as human service professionals need to be the biggest advocate for the people that seek our help. We need to show that we care and that when we can we will raise awareness about hunger, homelessness, health care, mental illnesses, addictions and other issues that most are not aware of and how damaging any one of these issues can be. And how they change a person’s life forever.

7. Learning outcome two Summarize the historical roots of community development and organizing, advocacy, and social movements

8. Learning outcome two: Summarize the historical roots of community development and organizing, advocacy, and social movements • Families and individuals who are struggling to provide for their families and themselves should have avenues available to prevent them from being thrown into the street. The loss of a job is all it would take for a family to suddenly find themselves homeless. Hunger and Homeless Awareness week has been established to bring schools, communities and cities together to bring a greater awareness of the problems of hunger and homelessness. This event takes place one week before Thanksgiving each year.

9. Learning outcome two: Summarize the historical roots of community development and organizing, advocacy, and social movements • On March 23,2010, President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into a law to reform the health care industry and it was upheld by the supreme court on June 28, 2012. The goal is to give more Americans access to affordable, quality health insurance. It will also help reduce the growth in care spending in the United States. Is this enough? I do want to see health care for Americans, maybe we need to move to socialized medicine, where all Americans get the health care they need.

10. Learning outcome two: Summarize the historical roots of community development and organizing, advocacy, and social movements • Jane Adams created the first settlement house in the United States. Because of the efforts of her and partner Ellen Starr, they housed women, and the house included night school for adults, art gallery, girls clubs, drama group, library and a coffee house. She was a powerful voice in the women’s rights movement and in social work.

11. Learning outcome two: Summarize the historical roots of community development and organizing, advocacy, and social movements • “ I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” Martin Luther King, Jr. • Because of his work in the African-American civil rights movement, fighting for all people to be equal, his dream has come alive.

12. Learning outcome three Record, assess and reflect on experiences with community and the influence of human services values, attitudes, and ethic in relationship to community.

13. Learning outcome three: Record, assess and reflect on experiences with community and the influence of human services values, attitudes, and ethic in relationship to community. We should assess and reflect why it is important to take care of ourselves, so that way we can have better relationships in the community. According to Homan (2011), there are many useful strategies to help you maintain your sense of purpose and renew your spirit. Here are some to consider: • Develop, recognize and be able to rely on a strong value base • Develop skills to address the situations you face • Get a life apart from your job • Make mistakes • Don’t own others’ mistakes I like to know that end of the day I have something to look forward, it might just be a silly program in TV, relaxing with friends and a glass of wine, or just snuggling and reading a book.

14. Learning outcome three: Record, assess and reflect on experiences with community and the influence of human services values, attitudes, and ethic in relationship to community. • This is just another fine example of what we as professionals and a community can do for our children. I know if we all take some time and let children know just how important they are, they will believe it themselves. I do this on a daily basis with the children I work with, I encourage not only their achievements, but I always ask how they think they made those achievements. • Photo courtesy of Hidden Creek Elementary and Mrs. C.

15. Learning outcome three: Record, assess and reflect on experiences with community and the influence of human services values, attitudes, and ethic in relationship to community. • CEO of Mid-Ohio Food bank Matt Hasbash wanted to change things up a bit. Matt was introduced to World Café in 2005 by his friend Phil Case, the CEO of Columbus Medical Association and Foundation. According to (Wheatley, Feieze 2011), World Café is a process designed to create intimate conversations, even in large groups. I feel because of this type of environment people will be apt to come up with ideas on how to better serve the community

16. Learning outcome three: Record, assess and reflect on experiences with community and the influence of human services values, attitudes, and ethic in relationship to community • These beautiful words are what children, parents, teachers and anyone who walks through the doors of this school read. I found this so profound and meaningful, and to top it off our tour guide was a student that read it to us. She said they live by those words everyday. I see a great future for these kids! • Photo courtesy of Hidden Creek Elementary

17. Learning Outcome four Analyze the systematic issues related to culture diversity, and social class in the context of community systems.

18. Learning Outcome four: Analyze the systematic issues related to culture diversity, and social class in the context of community systems. • We are all different people traveling this earth, and as take this journey, I just hope that I meet as many people as possible. I want to learn about their way life, what the believe in, and who they share it with. I want to find their strengths if they are seeking my help, and to let them know that I believe in them and that they can achieve good things in life.

19. Learning Outcome four: Analyze the systematic issues related to culture diversity, and social class in the context of community systems. • Public attitudes have evolved dramatically in the past 150 years. Today we have a greater appreciation for human diversity and greater respect for every person’s need to achieve his or her highest potential in work and life” (Cameron, 2000). I have seen a lot through my internship and have developed a better understanding for human diversity, we are all human and everyone has a dream…

20. Learning Outcome four: Analyze the systematic issues related to culture diversity, and social class in the context of community systems. • When we don’t see systems we fall out of the possibility of partnership with one another (Oshrey, 2007). This can then lead to misunderstandings and prejudices about one anther. We need to remember to keep awareness of each others faiths, culture and diversities. Human service professionals will bring diversity to the forefront and enjoy all populations. And to understand those differences will make us stronger and able to serve better.

21. Learning Outcome four: Analyze the systematic issues related to culture diversity, and social class in the context of community systems Some of my favorite quotes to live by… • We have the ability to achieve, if we master the necessary goodwill, a common global society blessed with a shared culture of peace that is nourished by the ethnic, national and local diversities that enrich our lives-Mahnaz Afkhami • We are of course a nation of differences. Those differences don’t make us weak. They’re the source of our strength-Jimmy Carter

22. Reflection: • I feel I have grasped the concepts of community systems, structures, and design. I know now how to initiate change through activities, tactics and social policy advocacy. I have a firm grasp on cultural diversity and social class in the community system. I have learned from social movements of the past and will advocate for what I believe in. I have learned great leadership skills through my internship that I will take with me on my journey as a human service professional.

23. References: Homan, M.S. (1999). Promoting community change: making it happen in the real world (2nded). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole Publishers Googleimages. (2014). Retrieved form googleomages.com Oshry, B. (2007). Seeing Systems: Unlocking the mysteries of organizational life (2nd Ed.) San Francisco, CA. Berrett-Koehler. Wheatly, M. J., & Frieze, D. (2011). Walk out walk on a learning journey into communities daring to live the future now. San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler Publishers