Profile of a Volunteer

The person I have elected to describe as a volunteer is a close relative, my Aunt.  She works as a Sunday School teacher and Girl Scouts leader.  She has a good spirit and good heart.  She works tirelessly to teach young children how to respect themselves and their community.  The African proverb, "it takes a village to raise a child", is what she practices.  The families in her church community needs assistance and resources to care for the members in their families.  The concerns families have in this community forces families have in this community forces families to work more than one job which do not allow them the opportunity to do activities with their children.  Many families need the Girl Scouts and Sunday School as a resource.  Sunday School and the Girl Scouts provides financial assistance for families and their children.  The Girl Scouts take trips and Sunday School has various activities where the volunteers celebrate with children including their families.  The volunteers like my Aunt make it possible for children to participate in a safe activities in their community which helps families know their child is safe in their absence.

 

The message I "take away" from volunteer's efforts is that their work is tireless and endless.  In a volunteer position, we need to support each other and celebrate each accomplishment.  Volunteers also have the potential to become burnt out since they work tirelessly to help families and young children. 

 

 

 

Celebrate!   Celebrate!    Celebrate!

 

 

Celebration will help the volunteers feel important and that their role is meaningful to the cause.



"It takes a village to raise a child." -African Proverb-

 

 

Using Social Media to Get Connected!

 

I use social media to keep my family abreast of what my children are doing.  I send pictures, videos and statements about their achievements including activities.  It give my family the opportunity to view them at their earliest convenience an respond.  They can save the pertinent information.

 

 

 

Facebook and MySpace are the social networks I have used.  Now, I can add blogs to my repertoire.  I could post pictures of family gathering where my family could tag a picture or comment which was posted.  I am able to keep up with the most current events posted. 

 

www.hfrp.org/evaluation/the-evaluation-exchange

 

There were several social media tools which were given that I could use.  I can subscribe to newsletters of non-profit organizations that can help my cause.  I can create a Twitter account to follow organizations and stay current.  YouTube is a great resource for me to discover additional organizations which believe in my cause.  I will continue to use blogs as an addition to find up-to-date results for my cause.

www.eadvocate.wordpress.com/

 

Social media can be used to see how the community feels about the issue I am advocating.  I can provide links informing the community about the issue.  Videos about how young children with disabilities have confidence and build friendships when they have the proper supports in the classroom.  My blog can be used to show the progress my son has made form starting with the infants and toddlers program to his current station in school, third grade.  My experience can help the issue become more real and I hope other parents will feel free to share their experiences also.

 

 

Are there any other resources with social media I can use to help the community and policymakers understand the need for additional training to meet the diverse needs of young children with disabilities?

 

"It takes a village to raise a child." -African Proverb-

Advocacy Messages

I found this advertisement very inspiring because families do not want to hear something is wrong with their young child.  From personal experience, I was in denial at first when the doctor discovered developmental issues with my son.  I believed that when he began to walk, he would be okay or no longer need special education.  The fact of the matter was that my son needed the accommodations special education had to offer in order to reach his full potential.  I was happy I did not wait.  A part of my responsibility is to let parents know that they do not need to worry, though the early they get the help they need for their young child to reach their full potential the better.

 

Bright Futures for Every Child, Every Nation

 

This advertisement was very inspiring because it reinforces reaching out to other countries and learning more about their culture including their educational system.  As early childhood educators, we have a mutual responsibility to educate our young children and their families.  Other countries would be interested in collaborating with one another to find solutions for the issues plaguing our countries.

 

This advertisement is inspiring to help parents and society understand the importance of all experiences children have starting from birth.  

 

 

"It takes a village to raise a child." -African Proverb-