Pulling it all together: Civil Engagement in your Social Sphere – part 1 In this discussion you should respond to the following prompts: First, share your previous experiences of civic engagement, or volunteering. Describe the identity groups and community, that were supported by your efforts. How were they served? If you worked with a specific organization, be sure to mention them and give them some recognition. What types of experiences did you engage in? What did you get out of it? Do you recommend the experience to others? Second, in preparation for the final project complete the following: Choose a social issue from the list provided that is experienced in your community: Youth Engagement [Teens] – Urban Farms, Night-time Basketball clubs, Mentoring, Elder visits, Care-givers, LGBTQI Runaways/Homeless Youth Engagement [Children] – Hunger and Meals, After School, Tutoring, Arts & Music Elder Engagement – Grandma and Grandpa mentoring to youth, Tutoring, School-related Elder Care – Hunger, Meals, Self-care, Errands, Transport, Visits, Veterans, Care-givers General Community – Arts & Music, Food Deserts, Urban Food/Nutrition, Urban Farms, Environmental issues (fracking, drought, environmental racism, ‘not in my back yard’), Homelessness Animals – Rescue, Elder support while ill, Senior animals Programs to support unique groups: Victims of Domestic Violence, Disabled Veterans, Veterans Families, Care Support for spouses of Disabled Veterans, Bullying, Race or Religion-related, LGBTQI- related, Single-parents Build a defense of why this is an important social issue in your community that needs addressing by completing the following steps: Perform a Google search of the internet to find what Government and local data is available on the issue or the group of people it affects. Does it affect a subgroup of people more than others? [For example: youth, elders, different races, cultures or genders?]. Take note of the data you find. Perform a Google search of the internet of community and political groups [Republican, Democrat, Green Party, etc…] which address this issue in their platform. What do they have to say? What are their perspectives? Find 4 scholarly articles from the University of Arizona Global Campus Library in which the social issue is generally discussed. Report this data fully in your paper/proposal. Some of the information you gather may be in data form. Here are some examples of how data can be presented in your paper/proposal: A table of all the variables you found (if you select this option, please do not copy and paste tables from the website. Rather, create your own table with all of your variables). [Choose – Insert/Table in MS Word; add as many columns and rows as you like]: Location: [examples] San Diego, Kern County, etc… Percentage Number (n=) Population (male): 45% 45,000 Population (female) 55% 55,000 Median Income $40,000 % of Population with College Degree 30% 30,000 Or you can avoid a table and prepare a bullet point list of all the variables you found… Location: Population: Male – 45% (n=45,000) Female – 55% (n=55,000)…etc. Your initial post should be at least 500 words in length. Support your claims with examples from required material(s) and/or other scholarly resources, and properly cite any references.
ANSWER SUMMARY
One of my previous experiences with civic engagement was volunteering at a local homeless shelter. The community that was supported by my efforts were individuals experiencing homelessness, particularly those who were struggling with mental illness and addiction. The organization I worked with was called the Downtown Mission, and they provided a range of services including meals, temporary housing, and access to healthcare and mental health resources.
As a volunteer, I assisted with serving meals, organizing donations, and leading activities such as art therapy and group discussions. I also had the opportunity to engage with the individuals staying at the shelter and listen to their stories, which helped me to better understand the challenges and barriers they faced.
One of the things I gained from this experience was a greater appreciation for the complexity of homelessness and the various factors that can contribute to someone becoming homeless. I also gained a sense of fulfillment from knowing that I was able to make a small difference in the lives of these individuals, even if it was just by providing a warm meal or a listening ear.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this experience to others. Volunteering at a homeless shelter allowed me to make a positive impact in my community and learn more about an important social issue. It also provided me with the opportunity to connect with others and engage in meaningful work.
In preparation for the final project, I have chosen to focus on youth engagement as a social issue in my community. According to government data, the percentage of youth in my community who are considered to be “disconnected” (not enrolled in school or employed) is significantly higher than the state average. This is a problem because these young people are at risk of falling behind in their education and experiencing long-term economic and social disadvantages.
In my Google search of government and local data, I also found that there are higher rates of poverty, crime, and substance abuse in neighborhoods with a high concentration of disconnected youth. Additionally, data from the Census Bureau shows that certain subgroups of youth, such as those who are racial or ethnic minorities, are more likely to be disconnected than others.
When I searched for community and political groups that address youth engagement in their platform, I found that both Republicans and Democrats have recognized the importance of addressing this issue. For example, the Democratic Party’s platform states that they “will work to ensure that all young people have the support they need to succeed,” while the Republican Party’s platform emphasizes the importance of “helping young people stay in school and graduate, encouraging responsible fatherhood and motherhood, and teaching the virtues of hard work and self-reliance.”
In terms of scholarly articles, I found several that discuss the importance of youth engagement and the various strategies that can be used to support young people. One article, titled “Supporting Youth Engagement in Community Development” (Holland, 2019), highlights the benefits of involving young people in community decision-making processes and the role that adults can play in supporting youth leadership. Another article, “Youth Engagement as a Catalyst for Social Change” (Barger & Jenkins, 2016), discusses the potential for youth-led initiatives to address social problems and promote positive change in their communities.
Overall, the data and research I have found indicate that youth engagement is an important social issue in my community that needs addressing. By supporting young people and helping them to become active, engaged members of their communities, we can improve their chances of success and create a more positive and vibrant society for all.
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