We all [in some way] want to leave our mark on the world before our time is up. Or at least that’s what I wanted to do when I started interning at the Center for Alternative Sentencing and Employment Services (CASES). After reading, “A Kind of Genius,” it was nice to believe that all obstacles to justice could be resolved. Of course, I wasn’t sure how I was going to resolve anything or make a difference, but I knew that Sturz’s remarkable dedication for improvement and innovation influenced me to want to create my own difference…
I didn’t realize it till now that I utilized Sturz’s direct client contact model to empower my clients to develop positive decision-making skills, so that they can welcome change into their lives. I remember sitting in Open Art Studio, a classroom where clients used therapeutic art techniques to overcome emotional distress, and having such a difficult time understanding the reasons behind my clients’ continual offenses against the law. After several art therapy sessions, I learned from my clients that when prisoners serve their sentences, they learn to adapt to the prison lifestyle and forgot how to function outside prison walls. As a result, they put themselves in situations that they are comfortable and familiar with, even if it’s not the best choice. My clients felt that change is an individual process, it cannot be forced, nor should it be mandated as a release requirement. I couldn’t agree with them more. For me the idea was so simple, but our justice system didn’t understand it. I felt disappointed that I didn’t have the power to change the system, but yet a bit optimistic because I had the power to help my clients practice consequential thinking, which in turn would keep them out of trouble and welcome changes.
During my time with my clients, I reminded them that they were capable of change, the positive and lasting kind of change. I reminded them that they couldn’t change their pasts but they can work on positive decision-making, so that their futures can be parole free. I reminded them that they were humans and will make mistakes. Sometimes they will learn from their mistakes, and other times they will continue making the same mistakes until they have learned their lesson. I reminded them that sometimes they needed to trip and fall into the crack in order to learn to walkover it next time. And the next time, they learned to walk over it, I reminded them not to focus too much on the cracks, for if they did, they might miss the rose growing from concrete.
My persistent reminders inspired my clients to stay away from trouble, get their General Education Diploma (GED), and find jobs. My accomplishment wasn’t as remarkable as Sturz’s but I felt that I was contributing to the legacy in my own way.
Now my question(s) to you is:
How has Sturz inspired you to make a difference and how will you contribute to the legacy in your own way?
18 comments:
Thanks for sharing your experiences, Popy; I enjoyed reading that. It’s awesome that you were able to form one-on-one connections and see tangible change right in front of you.
I suppose, throughout our internship experiences, we’ll all have to find our own personal ways of contributing to the advancement of social justice.
For me, after reading about Sturz’s life and achievements, my passion to pursue social justice has been solidified. Yes, like you said, after seeing Sturz’s numerous accomplishments, it seems a little daunting to live up to that standard. But we don’t have to. It's likely we won’t be able to make immediate systemic and structural societal changes. Going into my internship, though, I have two main questions for myself. First: What can I learn? Second: What can I contribute?
I am going into my internship at the Vera Institute with an open mind—I anticipate it being a great learning process and experience.
If I took anything away from "A Kind of Genius," it would be Sturz’s inductive approach to society’s problems. Yes, I have a general idea of what I would like to accomplish at the Substance Use and Mental Health program (SUMH)—i.e. conduct research, do field work, try to improve public policy and societal understanding. However, I also look forward to deeply immersing myself in the inner workings of the Institute, asking many questions and speaking to experts, and seeing how the experience shapes my view of justice and society.
I have some ideas and opinions on how I want to approach justice through research, but I most look forward to the discussion and interaction I will have with experienced individuals in the field. Like Sturz, I possess a drive to learn and understand, and I hope to carry that over to my internship. My hope is that I can use the knowledge I gain to contribute in some way to social change. Exactly how? I’m not so sure just yet.
Hello Popy,
In a way, I believe that in addition to Sturz's commitment to refine the shortcomings of the Criminal Justice System, your optimistic and persistent attitude also served as an essential source of inspiration for you to remain engaged to issues of social justices. In other words, you inspired yourself to inspire.
In response to your question, after reading "A Kind of Genius," I was most amazed by Sturz's practical mindset in that in order to avoid the misapprehension of social issues and their corresponding approaches, he relied on a significant amount of research and analysis to scheme the blueprint of any given program. In a sense, this systematic approach not only allows him to be innovative and at the same time eliminate many impractical elements in his blueprint. This is the kind of the approaches that I value the most, and therefore, my internship at the Center for Employment Opportunity (CEO) will be focusing on researches that examine the quality and efficiency of CEO’s business model.
I also greatly appreciate Sturz’s persistent involvement in the refinement of social justice. As the world around us continues to evolve and transform, this constant progression engenders many new social issues on a regular basis. Thus, as dedicated social justice advocates, or, as Sturz puts it, social entrepreneurs, individuals like us should be prepared for diving into a long term, if not lifelong, commitment of battling infinite number of newly emerged social problems. Sturz has taken the lead and devoted a significant portion of his life to fulfill his aspiration of being a social entrepreneur, and in turn, he inspires us to inherent and carry on his legacy.
On a different note, thank you very much for sharing your experiences with us. You have just proven to me that you are perfectly capable of being a role model to me in terms of the exceptional quality of your service at the Center for Alternative Sentencing Employment Services (CASES). Therefore, I would like to ask for your opinion on a hypothetical issue: what should one do in a circumstance where the mentor is not available or did not assign any specific task? More specifically, what should one do in such situation to avoid being idle and unproductive? I believe your advice will be very helpful to me if such circumstance ever occurs in the future while I am interning at CEO. Thank you very much for your time, Popy.
Sylvie
As a lifelong New Yorker, I am always amazed that, until becoming involved with the JJ-Vera Fellows Program, I had never heard of Herb Sturz, much less that he had pioneered so many things that I took for granted in my city, like the opportunity to be released on one’s own recognizance pending trial or access to victim’s services in situations of sexual assault or domestic violence. Many of Sturz’s social justice initiatives were revolutionary in their time and now are used nationally as models of efficient delivery of services to underserved populations. As Popy attests, they make real change in individual people’s lives. Who would argue that a dropout going back to school, or offering shelter to a frightened, battered woman, is antithetical to the goals of social justice?
However, every time I think about Vera’s accomplishments, I have to work double time not to just go all weak kneed and hero worshippy and throw my critical faculties out the window. On the one hand, it is definitely a good thing to fix problems locally, where they hurt. On the other hand, there is always the risk of being paternalistic when you come from the outside to “fix” people’s lives; because of this, some say that only grassroots movements have lasting value. Moreover, part of the project of social justice may have to do with dismantling the very systems that Vera works to make more efficient; for example, social protest movements and civil disobedience models urge non-participation with institutions that contribute to oppression, like the criminal justice system. The suitability and justification for all these methods can be persuasively argued. Each also has unintended consequences and does collateral damage. We will constantly be pushing you to hold all of these ideas in tension as we look back and move forward.
Whaaat??? You can help people and oppress them simultaneously? You can fix local problems while virtually ensuring that the structural causes of those problems will never be fixed? Herb Sturz, my head is exploding. It’s a malady I hope to pass on to all you Fellows. (I am sure that Popy can testify to having many more migraines since she came into fold.) So, my question for Popy is “in your work at CASES with kids ensnared in the juvenile justice system, what kinds of broader, more systemic problems did you see that contributed to their “local” situations?”
Popy, it seems that Sturtz instilled a sense of responsibility onto all of us to help others. In the book Sturtz help dozens of others obtain the same feeling of establishing connections between clients and workers throughout his organization. These associations will last forever and I hope to establish such connections myself with the organization I’m working for Esperanza. These same connections last forever and we can use such connections to help others.
When I read a kind of Genius it made me look back upon my life and realize how individuals can truly make a difference on others. I know that I don’t even come close to the number that Sturtz did. Sturtz has done numerous accomplishments that most people can’t even hope to accomplish however that doesn’t mean we can’t try. A small difference is better than none.
To answer your question in how I’m planning to contribute to the legacy by embracing the teachings of my organization and share it with others as well so I can use it in the future to help others.
One of the themes that I noticed from the book that can be applied to my situation with working my organization is bureaucracy. Both Stutz and Esperanza are limited in what they can do in helping based on what the state allows. I which to learn how to approach social justice through the lens of a nonprofit observing how a nonprofit overcome such bureaucratic limitations set by the state.
Thanks for sharing Popy. Your time at Cases appears to have been an extraordinary one, filled with revelation and growth. The work of your agency is an admirable one, and I believe that through such work we can move toward having a better society. Something that resonated with me was when you expressed your frustration with being unable to change the system but optimistic by the work you were doing. I feel the same way when it comes to the criminal justice system, having worked with youth in the South Bronx; I too was angered at my inability to make positive change in a way I felt would be significant and have a larger impact than just the youth I worked with.
But, in reference to your questions, I’m not sure how to answer. When thinking about Sturz, over the summer and now, I wondered how it is he has inspired me, if at all. Over the summer, I was one the other side of the fence when it came to how he dealt with social issues. While Sturz did tackle the issue by finding immediate solutions, and very successful ones, I felt he did not strive to fundamentally change the system. I find this important because, as we know, there is evidence that suggests the way the criminal justice system works is part of the problem. So I wondered, how has Sturz inspired me?
I recognize the great contribution Sturz has made to our society, especially with the birth of Vera and the advancements we have had. But, as I previously mentioned, I am one the fence about the methodology of Sturz. So, in a sense, Sturz has inspired me a great deal to not take his approach, while evidently extremely successful, but to take the other road. And, perhaps not to say that I will look at how he dealt with issues and ignore it, but look at what was missing, see what can be changed, and know what to keep. As they say, if its not broken, don’t try to fix it, but I would add, it doesn’t hurt to try and make it work better.
My experiences at Common Justice, I am sure will be similar to yours, in that I will have a growth and a greater understanding of how the agency deals with social justice issues. While my work deals with a local community, I am sure that my experience will act as a stepping-stone toward the direction I want to take. So, in a way, my legacy will be one inspired by that of Sturz. I don’t know what my contribution to society will be yet, but that’s what I’m getting ready for, through the Vera fellowship and all my other experiences combined.
Popy:
Reading about your experience at CASES (the very agency I will be working it), was extremely inspiring. I'm glad that you were able to make your unique mark on the world, all the while utilizing Sturz's pragmatic techniques. Furthermore, reading about your experience partly alleviates my own anxiety about working towards social justice.
While I’m excited to, as Joseph so nicely put it, have my own “personal [way] of contributing to the advancement of social justice,” at the same time, I’m scared. I’ve never done anything like this before. I’ve never sat before disadvantaged clients—clients who are oppressed by the very system we seek to fix. I feel like I was the person that Sturz adamantly refused to be: the ideologue. I am the person who deals mainly with ideas, who sits in an “ivory tower” moralizing and philosophizing about what should be done, instead of actually doing anything.
The Vera Program (& CASES) has now put me in a position that’s both uncomfortable, yet deeply intriguing. Instead of comfortably sitting on the sidelines, stewing in my own privilege, mulling over progressivism and Dewey’s theories on pragmatism, I will be out on the field, actually doing things that make a real difference. As I mentioned in my Sturz paper, I’ll have to choose “doing” over “dogma”; like Sturz, I will be faced with immersing myself into areas of injustice, and acting pragmatically to solve them. At CASES, I hope to use my talents to fight social injustice through fine art, to bring art education to city youth, and I hope to learn more about what you specifically worked with—art therapy for ex-convicts and offenders. So, in response to your question, this is how Herb Sturz has influenced me.
Before I joined Vera, I felt the same as Popy—I wanted to make a lasting change on the world, but I wasn’t sure how I would be able to do it. I knew it would include art in some way, but I imagined myself being in galleries, showing off Adonis-like sculptures, and getting some kind of international fame (hah). I was really living in Lala-land. But now I see myself making my mark in a different way, in using art to fight injustice, whether it be for ex-offenders, or underprivileged youth. I’ll save my “world-shaking” changes for another day, and focus on the little things I can do to change the reality around me, and around others.
Lastly, I want to pose one question, partly in response to Professor Stein’s thought provoking statements: in advancing social justice, which approach is more useful? Grassroots movements (organizing rallies, protests, etc.), or working through the “system”? I’ve witnessed the power of grassroots organization firsthand (during the 2008 Presidential elections—e.g. voter registration), and this topic was overlooked in Sturz’s biography. Can large, sweeping institutional change be created from within, or are grassroots movements more useful in advancing social justice?
Thanks Popy, it sounds like you had an incredible experience at CASES.
Sturz has inspired me to maintain an open mind and to never accept defeat. If something is not working right tweak it until it does. I plan to bring that mindset into my internship at Center for Employment Opportunity (CEO). With an open mind I will be able to help those who have been recently convicted of a crime gain and, I think more importantly, keep employment. During our first seminar there was some discussion about short term solutions versus actually addressing the true cause of the inequalities. I feel that in order to make positive changes that are needed, both research and hands on client work are required. Since CEO wants me to work in multiple divisions, I hope to bridge that gap between client and research to discover the true roots of the problem, and find their possible solutions while providing short term aid.
I have found that Sturz’s extensive list of accomplishments and advancements in the field of social justice reinforce my personal life goals. A Kind of Genius opens your eyes to not only the problems we face, but to their achievable solutions as well. I want to keep this in my mind as I continue through my final year at John Jay and eventually law school. Since deciding on this career path, I’ve wanted to help the general public and address social issues around us. Although I don’t know what legacy I want to have, or the specific issues in law I want to tackle just yet, I do know that I want to help the community I live in promote equality. Knowing that one man can have such an influence in so many diverse groups of people and in that many projects is in itself inspiring. It is nice to know we are not limited to a single goal in life, and that through collaboration and hard work one can make a lasting impact.
Your experience at CASES has definitely been one that should change your perspective on finding solutions to worldly issues. You have truly taken the first step towards seeing your goals come to life and making a difference, cliche as it may sound.
In relation to my internship, I am definitely looking forward to working with Housing and Services. I told my cohort last thursday that my mentor and I have been actively discussing methods of incorporating the performing arts into our quest for change. We have discussed everything ranging from teaching older people how to type and use the internet to teaching line dances for fun and enjoyment. I hope to make a lasting impression on the people we serve, as the many of them unfortunately suffer great deals of hardship. I look forward to being the reason why they can crack a smile even though they may not have much to smile for. If I can share my energy with these people maybe it just might fill some hole in them...they will feel cared for and know that they are not alone in their struggles. Maybe that can be the lasting change that I am looking for, changing the world one person at a time.
On a broader spectrum, I myself want to open a not for profit organization that aims to steer troubled youth in the right direction. Dance has built discipline within me and also helps me keep a positive attitude through my many downfalls and troubles. I do not have a clear method of implementation for the future but I know that I must find a way to posit this feeling into others. Dance for me is not only for the sake of entertainment and laughter. It has implications for my personal development and overall growth. When I discovered Lindy Hop, I was in need of some guidance. It helped me see the brighter side of things and made me understand that I had potential to be good and make a lasting impact. It rocked my world and now I look forward to every dance in order to recruit as well as improve my skills. I never would have thought that I could become preoccupied with a dance initiative but it now defines me. I will not cease to spread my breathe of knowledge and I will simply take it one day at a time.
We both want to start our outreach at the grassroots level and it will take patience, virtue and time. It truly amazes me how Sturz was able to use his knowledge of government to create such a large scale change. He approached issues with a very nuance methodology and found ways to use the system and make a lasting impact. He had many novel ideas and found ways to bring them to life. However, my mission is also novel and I am sure that you will agree that you have many bright ideas about changing the future. I once again admit that my future goals are still very much clouded but I can guarantee that they will come to life.
Thank you Popy for inspiring this post. I appreciate it. Happy Labor Day everyone!
Happy Labor Day Everyone,
Popy, thank you for sharing some of your experiences and providing us with some methods that worked for you during your internship with Center for Alternative Sentencing and Employment Services (CASES). Based on the brief description involving some of your work, would you say that your clients’ attitudes were one of the major obstacles for your clients?
After reading “A Kind of Genius,” I was forced me to reevaluate some of my previous positions regarding the role of the private sector versus the public sector. On the one hand, working “within the system” provides a number of benefits, such as quick transitions for systematic change through policy and agenda-setting goals to shape the public discourse. However, on the other hand, often times the very systems that need to be reformed—as Professor Stein points out—are the sources for social justice concerns. With all of this in mind, I was drawn to Sturz’s apolitical approach and his ability to manage many different partnerships. Moreover, having an open mind to work with any potential ally during social justice movement is a necessity. Therefore, I am beginning to see that the success of many current movements depends on both the private and public sector.
Separating my political views from my work at Safe Horizon’s Anti-Trafficking Program may be a little difficult because I am very political charged. I am not suggesting that my political views clout my judgment to evaluate effective programs or work with certain individuals; however, I grow very frustrated when I see politicians stigmatize sex-trafficked victims or support sole policy measures to deal with issues involving human trafficking. That being said, during times where I need to look to guidance, I will be asking myself how Sturz would handle a given situation. His example throughout the book demonstrated the type of credibility and influence one can command by staying dedicated and open-minded.
Although I look forward to contributing to Sturz’s legacy, I am little bit nervous to start my internship at Safe Horizon. Many social issues—drug dependence, poverty, and gender and race inequality—I’ve explored during courses at John Jay, and I’ve been able discuss these very issues with individuals directly affected. Moreover, in addition to my own struggles, many of my friends and family members suffer from certain social problems. As a result, during my work with social justice movements, I’ve been able to connect with individuals very quickly and understand certain issues they are facing. However, I am not sure how well I will connect with human trafficking victims. This particular issue is often shielded from the major social problems, and this problem involves an interconnected global approach. I am hopefully that my research and discussions with professionals in the field will prepare me well enough so I can contribute to the work of the agency from the beginning.
More than anything else, I look forward to our discussions and the realization that many of the social justice issue we are working to fix are interconnected. Sharing stories and the best approaches to dealing with situations will expand our perspectives and enable us to view approaches through multiple lens, which, for me, was a key ingredient to Sturz’s success.
Sally
Happy Labor Day.
Hi Popy.
I must say that the reason why I wanted to be a part of the Vera Fellowship Program,is precisely because I wanted, just like you,to find a way to leave my mark in this world. I agree with you whole heartedly, that it would be nice to believe that all the obstacles to justice could be resolved, however the big issue is figuring out what to do and how to go about making a difference.
I have to say that in reading A Kind of Genius I was more inspired by Sturz's ability to see the needs and wants of everyone, while at the same time,paying attention to law and order.I hope that in my internship with Urban Resource Institute, I can find a way to listen to my clients in a way that will let me see through their story and into their needs and wants. I want most of all to help motivate people to want to change their lives for the better.
I,(same as you)believe that one has to want and desire to change in order to achieve it. No one can force anyone else to change or turn their life around or even get out of a bad situation, unless that person wants to. My goal and desire is to help at least one person see within his or her self, what they want and inspire them to achieve it or change it, if it is not right.
I wish I could help out many peole in many different ways, just as Sturz did, however I will be very happy if I can make a difference injust one person's life. If I can inspire one person or help one person achieve his or her goals, I believe that I would have made a difference and an impact in the world.
Thanks,
Minerva
Hello Popy,
Wow, that was really amazing.. and very inspirational to hear about the connection that you have made with the clients. It sounds like you have had a powerful influence with the clients and that is truly rewarding.
I definitely agree with what you said about Herb Sturz' influence in "A Kind of Genius." After the reading the book, I was so inspired to make a difference in our Criminal Justice system and impact the lives of individuals within the system. However, I knew I wasnt able to make as big of a difference as he did. Nevertheless, Sturz has inspired me to do the best I can to help. I have always had a passion for social justice and helping improve the criminal justice system. Sturz has shown me that in every situation, I need to look at the reality of the situation and build from that, in order to achieve the goals of bringing about social justice. He has also inspired me that with a positive goal in mind, anything is possible as long as I go in with an open mind and use good communication with all the parties involved. There is a lot of corruption in our system and a lot of questionable practices. Sturz has shown me that when I truly explore what happens within the practices, that will inspires goals and ideas of how to improve them and justify such practices.
In regards to your second question, I hope to contribute to the Vera legacy by using communication and forming connections with the parties involved. I hope to leave as much of an impact on the clients lives as possible, inspiring them to lead better lives and reintegrate successfully. As you have touched upon in your original post, the clients are always being forced to do whatever. However, more people need to realize that change cannot be forced. With positive communication and creating connections with these clients, they see that they have support and that in fact, steers them and motivates them to change (for the better) for themselves. This year, I will be interning at FedCap. The legacy that I hope to leave is to create positive thinking for all clients that I come in contact with and provide them with the support they need to turn their lives around and start better, with a lifestyle without criminal acts. Additionally, I hope to help the transition of FedCap and make it as successful as possible, gaining a broader clientele.
I am truly excited to get started on all the work at FedCap and I am 100% ready for what the Vera Fellowship has to offer.
My beloved Victorians were reformers, not revolutionaries (indeed, they had their ideas about revolution formed by watching events across the Channel -- the French Revolution -- take a bloody turn). And there was tremendous social change across the 19th century as people worked within institutions to critique and change them. Alongside those reformers, of course, were folks who were noisier, taking risks, willing to get arrested or worse. In other words, it was (and is?) a loose affiliation between folks working inside and outside that produced the social changes that took us into modernity. I look forward to the readings/discussion in the next couple of weeks that ask us to think about points of overlap between different "sides" or perspectives and other visions for social change. Thanks, Popy, and thanks to all of you for an intelligent start to the blog!
Thank you Popy and the new Verons who have posted such thoughtful and thought-provoking comments. It is so rewarding to hear how Popy’s internship experience was transformative on various levels, and the ways in which it has helped clarify her interests and passions. It is so good to hear the new Verons wondering about how the year will unfold and to start tackling the tensions and contradictions that come with the kind of work represented by the Vera agencies.
I’m just a little worried about how certain words and ideas are being used as if we’re all on the same page with them. It’s almost as if there is an assumption that we just “know” what we each mean by the terms we’re using and the ideas we are throwing out there.
For example, we have all been employing the terms “non-ideological,” “ideological,” and “ideologue.” Sam Roberts, author of the biography, asserts that Sturz’s approach is “non-ideological,” and Sturz is not an “ideologue” (same with “political/apolitical”). But what does that actually mean? Does it mean “not having an agenda,” as Joseph suggested in class? But didn’t Sturz have an agenda as he engaged in his social justice work? What’s wrong with having an agenda?
We often hear calls for the value of objectivity, of staying neutral, of not taking a stand. But aren’t we always taking a stand or position on something whether or not we make explicit what it is? If we think this might be so, then what is Sturz “ideological” about? Also, isn’t claiming a “non-ideological” stance itself “taking a stand”? Isn’t claiming to be “apolitical” a political stance? And if we think these statements are true, why does author Sam Roberts go to great pains to depict Sturz as “non-ideological” and “apolitical”? What does Roberts depict as “ideological” and what does he depict as “non-ideological,” as “political” and “apolitical”? What gets erased by means of these narrative devices? What do we forget to talk about?
I don’t expect you to go back to the book and look for the answers there. By these questions, I hope we can open the dialogue further and unpack some of our assumptions as we move along in the coming weeks.
Here’s another worry I have. As I read the remarkable story of Herb Sturz and his awesome accomplishments (whatever their limitations may be, I think they are awesome accomplishments), I can’t help but wonder if all parties in all the programs described really did benefit, as is depicted in the book. For example, in what ways did the “Bowery Bums” actually benefit from the program and in what ways did they not benefit, if any (and how do we know?)? As compared to the real estate developers on the Bowery, who benefitted most among the named stakeholders? What about those who are not named stakeholders? Were there any unintended consequences for folks not mentioned in the book? For example, as the Bowery became gentrified, did the working class, working poor, and poor people of the old neighborhood get displaced because of skyrocketing rents that came as developers moved into the neighborhood?? I’m not saying they did. I’m just saying that those issues were not addressed in the narrative that Sturz’s biographer constructed.
Two quick notes on Sally’s post: 1) I get the sense that when you write about the private sector (as compared to the public sector), you really mean the “voluntary sector.” The private sector generally refers to profit-making ventures or businesses. The voluntary sector generally refers to non-profit, private entities like the Vera agencies; and 2) I think you are spot on when you write about the interconnections among the issues that we’re dealing with here. Our job is in part to identify those interconnections. I think Sturz would agree. After all, he loves that epigraph from E.M. Forster’s “Howard’s End,” a quote I also love: “Only connect.”
Joseph, thank you! When I started interning at CASES, I had no clue what I was going to do. I just went in and absorbed everything like a sponge. I think my experience was rewarding because I just “went with the flow”. I think going in with an open-mind allows you to find your way around the internship. From my experience, I didn’t notice my growth or contribution until the journey was over.
Sylvie, thank you for the sweet post! As for your excellent questions, I have answers! I think being eager helps a lot in situations like you’ve described. After completing tasks, ask your mentor if there’s another task that needs to be taken care of. This will eliminate your concern with “being idle or unproductive”. Also, have ongoing conversations with your mentor. My mentor and I would speak briefly before and after the internship. It was our way to stay on top of things.
Professor Stein, I think it’s great that you brought up the idea of, “help[ing] people and oppress[ing] them simultaneously”. It was very frustrating for me to realize that the same teenagers I was helping to move forward would have limited opportunities because of their criminal records. It was even more frustrating to see clients want to give-up because they had already internalized failure. A majority of my clients were either African-American or Hispanic, and to me it seemed as if that’s all our system hunted for. The clients seemed to always remind me about our unfair justice system and how it targeted the “minority” population. Funding was definitely another issue. Clients were given a brief 6 months to “change” and stay out of trouble, and if they didn’t, CASES lost funding. Now, not only did we have less funding to serve clients but also unemployment. There’s a cluster of systematic issues that I’m sure each Veron will notice as the internships progress.
David, you are absolutely right! A small difference is better than none at all. I’m so glad you have that attitude. As I mentioned earlier to Joseph, you probably won’t realize your contribution or growth until the journey is over.
Niko, I agree with you on the grounds that Sturz found conditional solutions for societal issues but wasn’t necessarily successful in tackling the system as a whole. If he did, we wouldn’t be sitting here posting about issues of social justice and how we are going to bring change. I think it’s more important to realize where others haven’t been successful, which will allow us to create our own change, or attempt to make change.
Amara, I think it’s normal to feel anxious about this experience. It’s out of your comfort zone and I definitely see this opportunity as a great growing experience for you. It’ll all be fine. As I mentioned to the other fellows: be curious and stay patient. Ask questions and get involved. CASES is a very welcoming atmosphere, but don’t wait to be spoon fed.
Aaron, you’re very welcome. I’m glad Sturz has inspired you to maintain an open mind. It’s definitely a great attitude to have and I’m sure you’ll do great things at CEO.
Andre, that’s great that you are discussing all these ideas with your mentor. I think having discussions of that sort will help you and your mentor figure out what you can bring to the table. It will also open up much greater opportunities for you. I think I had such a rich experience at CASES because I always had ongoing conversations with my mentor and before I knew it, I was doing a little bit of everything. You’re off to a great start! Good luck!
Sally, thank you! I would say that there were other factors that served as obstacles in addition to their attitudes. A lot of clients lived in hostile environments where violence was deeply rooted. Sometimes I felt that my clients’ living situation at home was more of an obstacle. I thought my clients had great attitudes about their future.
Minerva, thank you! I think it’s great that you want to sit and listen to your clients, so you can find a way to help them. My advice to you is, sometimes you’ll just have to sit back and listen. Your clients will tell you things that will make you feel all kinds of emotions. There will also be times where you will be speechless and won’t have advice to give. Just know that it’s perfectly fine.
Michelle, thank you! Communication is key for making connections! As we both know, positive thinking eliminates cognitive distortions. I’ve worked with you before and I know that you will be fabulous at FedCap. Good luck!
Professor Reitz, you’re very welcome! Thank you again for allowing me to start the blog.
Professor Waterston, thank you for your comments.
Sally, thank you! I would say that there were other factors that served as obstacles in addition to their attitudes. A lot of clients lived in hostile environments where violence was deeply rooted. Sometimes I felt that my clients’ living situation at home was more of an obstacle. I thought my clients had great attitudes about their future.
Minerva, thank you! I think it’s great that you want to sit and listen to your clients, so you can find a way to help them. My advice to you is, sometimes you’ll just have to sit back and listen. Your clients will tell you things that will make you feel all kinds of emotions. There will also be times where you will be speechless and won’t have advice to give. Just know that it’s perfectly fine.
Michelle, thank you! Communication is key for making connections! As we both know, positive thinking eliminates cognitive distortions. I’ve worked with you before and I know that you will be fabulous at FedCap. Good luck!
Professor Reitz, you’re very welcome! Thank you again for allowing me to start the blog.
Professor Waterston, thank you for your comments.
Thank you, Popy, for the quick and helpful response. I will be sure to keep your advice in mind. Take care.
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