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  • Home
    • About
    • Video Gallery
    • The OJJDP Model
  • Blog
  • Community Mobilization
    • SCTF Steering Committee
  • Social Intervention
  • Opportunities
  • Organizational Change
    • SCTF Executive Committee
  • Suppression
  • Contact
  • Resources
    • Resources for Community Members
    • Resources for Parents
    • Resources for Youth

Safe Communities Blog

Youth Voice, as Described by Youth

6/13/2018

1 Comment

 
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Hello there,

I hope your week is greeting you with joy!

I have the honor of supporting multiple programs working towards a brighter future and happier youth, similar to the Safe Communities Task Force. One is the STASHA Peer Education program of Clark County.

One STASHA member described the program as, “We are a group of nonjudgmental youth ages 12-19 from all over Clark County. We work to prevent alcohol and other drug abuse amongst our peers in our communities. We educate ourselves so we can educate our peers. We use our unique strengths to help youth make healthy decisions and teach healthy lifestyles.”

During a recent meeting with STASHA I listened as they described how they define youth voice. For the benefit of all, they gave me permission to share their thoughts with the community so we can all aim to do better at involving young people as partners.

What does youth voice look or sound like?
  • Saying things like, “How is this going for you?”
  • Asking, “What are your thoughts?” without contradicting them or telling why our ideas aren’t good
  • Not providing limitations or rules when brainstorming ideas
  • Avoid saying, “That won’t work though.”
  • Asking what we need to be successful
  • Finding out what our goals are and how you can support us to achieve them
  • Asking, “Hey, can you help me with this?” instead of just telling us what to do
  • We like when people ask, “Tell me more.”
  • “I believe in you.”

What does youth voice feel like?
  • Equal
  • Joy
  • Moving energy around as a facilitator instead of holding it to yourself
  • Dividing power
  • Giving up control
  • Lifting people up​

What are some indicators that youth voice is effectively being honored?
  • There is a process for everything: making decisions, informing us on issues, checking in with each other, reporting out and more
  • Sharing the work
  • Everyone has resources to be effective
  • There is a shared platform
  • Youth talk 80% of the time and adults only talk 20% of the time
  • Talk with us not at us
  • People look confident and appear open and safe
  • Everyone is asked to and wants to participate
  • People are respected and seen as important
  • People’s hearts are full
  • Safe and kind disagreement can happen
  • Roles that are meaningful and valuable, not just doing small easy things (tokenism doesn’t happen)​​​

STASHA is currently recruiting 13 new members from all walks of life and all areas of Clark County. Members ages 12-19 participate in various youth development projects including empowerment, voice, peer education, substance and drug abuse prevention, leadership skills, cultural competency and more. STASHA attends multiple conferences and field trips throughout the year and members commit to one-year terms while being allowed to serve until they age out. Meetings happen every first and third Monday from 6-8pm with additional optional sub-committee meetings as needed.

To learn more email Alaina.green@clark.wa.gov or visit the website for an application. Applications are due ASAP (listed as June 15th) https://www.clark.wa.gov/community-services/stasha-peer-education-program. 
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​How about you reader? What are your thoughts on youth voice or more generally involving the voices of commonly disenfranchised populations? How can it be meaningful and what are the best ways to do it?

Above you’ll find a bonus graphic I put together from the Fall Training back in September. STASHA members were asked to share other ways of coping instead of using drugs or alcohol. Feel free to share with your networks!

Sending my best,
Christopher Belisle at SCTF
1 Comment

Challenge: Let Go

5/9/2018

6 Comments

 
Hello there,
 
Thanks for visiting! Your audience is a gift to this blog and you are a gift to this world.
 
Per reader request, I’m continuing mixing things up with challenges- shorter articles for you to enjoy still offering value. These challenges are things you can do at home, work, on the bus and more. 
​As the title suggests, today’s challenge is letting go. There are lots of resources for letting go like this one about letting go of stories you’ve written for yourself, this Tedx video about letting go of unhealthy people or this article about freeing yourself of personal possessions.
 
Holding on to things or assigning them power tethers us to the past. When we host anger, betrayal, heartbreak or loss we are unable to move forward physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually. 
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"Holding on to things or assigning them power tethers us to the past. When we host anger, betrayal, heartbreak or loss we are unable to move forward physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually." 
Below is a brainstorm of experiences I challenge you to let go of. Pick one or come up with your own and work towards moving forward this next month. These types of things can hold you back, obscure your vision or otherwise stop you from living to your most full potential.    
  • When someone has hurt you and you’re unable to forgive them
  • When you’ve lost an irreplaceable possession
  • When you have far too much on your plate, are unable to admit/recognize it and continue shoveling it down. I’m speaking metaphorically but I’m also keeping this in mind for when I eat freshly baked thin crust pizza
  • When someone made you angry and you weren’t able or allowed to express it
  • When you’ve made a mistake and let the experience convince you that you are the mistake
  • When you’ve acquired a decade’s worth of computer files consuming coveted hard drive space
  • When you’ve acquired a decade’s worth of paper files consuming coveted cabinet space
  • When you’ve acquired a decade’s worth of storage boxes consuming coveted attic space aka prime spider web real estate
  • When someone meaningful left you behind: breakup, moved on/away, death
  • When you’ve written scripts and stories for yourself justifying your way of life or actions
  • When someone else has written these scripts or stories for you without your consent
  • When someone said something foul towards you and you took it personally
  • When someone said something foul about you behind your back
  • When you’ve adopted a belief or perspective limiting you from success
  • When you can’t bring yourself to:
    • Delete those pictures of you and your ex on that one backpacking trip where you encountered a deer in the forest and your hair looked flawless even though you hadn’t showered in two days
    • Recycle that Danish cookie tin that “could one day serve a greater purpose,” greater than cutely housing old Crayola markers whose ink has dried up
    • Donate the collection of “Staff” t-shirts you got for volunteering years ago and would never wear around the fashion police, or real police for that matter
    • Unsubscribe from that email distribution list that was supposed to be weekly but is actually daily, hoping one day they’ll send coupons
  • When you have that one friend you adore yet negatively impacts your wellbeing
  • When people have written hurtful words or labels on your heart
  • When your safety net, second choice love interest keeps texting you with hope; hope you’re spoon feeding them, let’s be real
  • When your desire for perfection prohibits you from experiencing joy, love or contentment
  • When you want so badly to have a movie star, sculpted body and you sacrifice body kindness for control
  • When you accidentally signed up to volunteer with two different organizations and keep ignoring your calendar reminder that truly is looking out for you when it says you can’t be in two places at once
  • When you assumed you weren’t smart enough, strong enough, brave enough, qualified enough, charismatic enough, tall enough, toned enough, powerful enough, masculine enough, feminine enough, resourceful enough or any other version of ENOUGH
  • When you heard someone snicker while you shared your story and decided not to share anymore
  • When you believed things would never change; you would never change
  • When you’ve been writing a blog for your company website and struggle with it never being as engaging/thoughtful/resourceful/encouraging/hub-of-all-things-awesome as you want it to be. I’ll admit this one’s really for me!
  • When you read this list and believed all these examples were too difficult for you. Pro tip: nothing is beyond your reach!
I understand letting go is challenging, frustrating and painful. I can sit here and tell you to surrender to the forces of the universe or provide support but ultimately you’re the only person who can decide you can do it.
 
Letting go is a process and skill, one you can learn. Start small, ease your way into it, practice letting go and finally step up to the plate and hit a home run. No worries if you hit the ball over the fence! At this point you’ve already learned to let go of earthly possessions.
 
Thank you for reading. I wish you luck in your endeavors.
 
Sending my best,
Christopher Belisle at SCTF
 
P.S. I couldn’t help myself from posting this video. Forgive me…

Bonus Content: 

6 Comments

Challenge: Spread Light

4/17/2018

2 Comments

 
Hello there,
 
I hope you’re experiencing moments of peace on this day.
 
I have another community challenge for you. If you missed our last challenges you can click the “challenges” button on the side of the screen or visit the links below.

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Challenge 1: Explore
Challenge 2: Create a Personal Brand
 
Your mission is simple: Spread light.
 
I ask you to try your best in becoming agents of light.
 
A few weeks ago someone asked me, “What stops you from saying something that might bless someone?” My answer was fear. I can be a very fearful person and what I’m learning is fear doesn’t have to hold power over me (replace fear with any emotion you’re experiencing and the same message applies).
 
I challenge you to consider what stops you from spreading light.
 
A lot of people are in darkness right now.
  • The people you run into at your favorite coffee shop
  • The person checking out your groceries at the store
  • The driver in the car next to you
  • Most importantly, young people in our community who may not be empowered with tools or knowledge to pull themselves back into the light
 
There are many ways to spread light and you needn’t be afraid of trying.
 
Spread whatever light you have in the darkness surrounding us all. When you light one candle using the wick of another you get two candles. It doesn’t take away; it only builds brighter. 
 
Thank you all for the many ways you contribute to the safety of our community.
 
Sending my best,
Christopher Belisle at SCTF

2 Comments
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