Sunday, October 5, 2008
Thinking out loud about the Mentor Coffee talk
We liked what we heard on Thursday about your intitial impressions of the experience so far. We'd like to hear more -- and we know that you are each other's best audience. So use the blog this week to talk about what you might talk about and to offer feedback to one another. You can post and then receive comments from others, or you can write your thoughts in the comments section to this post. Whatever works for you. Remember, we want 3 minutes max with a clear point and a memorable example. Professors Stein, Waterston and I will be reading, too, so feel free to ask questions.
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Today we come together with a number of different agencies to thank our mentors for giving us the guidance, and the personal experience in the line of work we each desire to persue. I have been interning with C.E.O since the beginning of September. I would like to start off be commending this agency for their commitment to their work as well as the positive impact on their clients. Attending classes held for their clients such as Life Skills, The Fatherhood Program, The Youth Program, and being able to work one on one with the clients has been the greatest experience. These type of classes that are offered play a crucial impact on preparing the clients to becoming productive citizens within our society. The staff works with the clients doing activities such as mock interviews, mock applications in preparation of how to addresse their past convictions. They also most importantly work on discontinuing the behavior that previosly led to their incarceration, Their core values of compassion and dedication has aided to alter their client's lives, and give a sense of hope that society tends to shun on these type of individuals. (After I read this I look up to give the personal experience which played a major impact on me) The greatest experience in this internship is assesing the clients every friday. When I sit in the room while they go around and tell a little about themselves you could see who has the initiative to change their lives. You could tell by what they say and if they give eachother respect while they are each talking. When I get to sit with them I get to evaluate who needs extra help and who is job start ready. For example, there was one man who told his story of robbing an elderly couple, and he was completely unremorseful. Their stories are personal experiences, and ways for the staff to see if they are remorseful for their actions. Its a complete different way of understanding their experiences then reading it in text books. I've learned there is a different door to the criminal justice field, other than incarcerating them. With my help, as well as the staff it is a stepping stone to eliminate the rise of recidivism rates.
I have been withholding my comments until other students write in -- I think seeing what the rest of you are thinking would be the most helpful advice. But what I would say here to provide incentive: what are Elizabeth's most effective lines/points? Would they be better delivered in a more-or-less written piece (what you have here) or given in a seemingly impromptu manner? What works/doesn't work in what she says?
What are you all thinking about in terms of particular points/examples and what kinds of feedback are you looking for?
Comment away!
Good morning. My name is Octavia Otetea and I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for taking the time to join us here today.
When I first signed up to be part of this fellowship I didn’t expect more than getting a good reference and a little bit of experience. I guess for the first time I set my expectation to low. I have the great opportunity to be a CASES Intern (which stands) for…., and more than I have the great opportunity to participate in a weakly seminar taught by 3 great professors to only 9 students. The seminar is a great way to hear other people’s experience at an agency that spin off Vera. It is a great place to learn practical things and begin new friendships. That doesn’t happen too often at John Jay…
We, the students, came here form so many backgrounds united by one interest, our love for justice. And it’s also good to see that we are not alone in this fight. If you believe that people do deserve second chances in life then Cases is the right place to be. And I do believe so. Cases offers alternatives to incarceration that are safe, affordable and consistent with public safety. I got really impressed by the work of these people. For me they are miracle workers. After transgressing the law people get very limited options. To change someone’s path in life and make him/her a better person is a miracle. One of the CEP participants (CEP is one of the programs offered by Cases, serving jail bounded youth 16-18 years old. ) said ”your life will change in ways you never thought it could possibly change. To most kids here, this is their last chance at a better life”.
For young offenders this is incredible, because in these programs they receive services, opportunities, education and in most cases employment. If these same youths would be sentenced to prison, they would come back in society without any resources and more likely to recidivate.
Cases give me a better understanding of the criminal justice system.
I believe in the necessity of these programs and in their efforts to transform great ideas into great services for our community.
Elizabeth and Octavia: I found both your talks very moving.
Elizabeth, I was especially interested in the part about your Friday assessment opportunity and would love to hear more about your own very human reactions to the variety of clients with whom you have interfaced. Some things to think about: What would remorse look like? Why is it important? Are we able to know what is in someone's head through their "performance" in front of agency personnel? How do you feel when the client does or doesn't give you what you are hoping for?
Octavia, the talk is very well-written but I'd push the envelope a bit: Is it really a "miracle" or is there a very earthly premise on which your agency bases its work? How have you and your peers deconstructed miracles into their "good works" components?
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