Profile of a Volunteer

We have to do what we can to help wherever and whenever it is possible for us to help – Jackie Chan

       Although the above quote was well said by Jackie Chan, those words are well demonstrated by my co-worker; Susan (pseudonym for privacy purposes). Susan is the office manager at the early childhood center where I work.  She started her work there as a parent volunteer; assisting teachers within the classroom and supervising children outside. Even early mornings, she would assist other parents in getting their children out of the car so that they could have a wonderful start of the day. Parents who were in need of anything, Susan somehow found out and either offered supportive resources or gave them the information they needed to get help. Her volunteer efforts were not only at school, but I will say, they were at home. The children that she called her own were foster children. She took care of them, fell in love with them, and adopted them, giving them the wonderful home they deserve. Beyond home and school, Susan founded and is currently operating her own foundation. She is positively impacting the lives of young children and their families within the city she lives by affording at risk children/youth educational support and teaching them skills to navigate life successfully.

            Susan has certainly had  and is currently having a positive impact on the lives of children and their families. Through her support, she has helped them to feel good about themselves. She has made her community stronger. Most importantly she has strengthened the family unit. Individuals have personally testified to the fact that she has been their biggest cheerleader and they would support her if she decided to run for political office. Children who are now adults have shared that her love and kindness have kept them from ruining their lives. Now that is POSITIVE…..

            A vital take-away message related to my work in early childhood education in terms of volunteer efforts and advocacy work in fostering the well-being of children and families is clear and succinct.  I will do what I can…. EVERYDAY.... for all children in a SPECIAL WAY…. For Dr. Seuss has encouraged this work greatly by saying, “A person’s a person, no matter how small”.

Using Social Media to Get Connected

When I first heard of MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter, I thought it was a platform that teenagers used to express themselves; so I did not find a need to secure an account and indulge. However in 2010, a colleague shared with me her experience of having a Facebook account.  She found friends from her past and shared how it was fun to get in touch and to keep in touch with them. She also shared how she enjoyed sharing goals that she had set for herself and how in doing so, others who were among her friend list encouraged her and shared resources to support her efforts. I was inspired by how fun Facebook appeared to be that I asked her to help me to create my account and page.  I must say; it was love at first post!!!! I love Facebook! I have been able to find friends, make friends, receive local and distant news coverage, Bible scriptures for the day and what I love the most, I receive resources for self help. I am a member of health organizations and just recently; grief counseling organizations. The grief counseling organizations such as Motherless Daughters and In Memory of Our Angels In Heaven, have been my source of comfort and are currently helping me as I am dealing with the recent loss of my Mother. I can honestly say, I am on Facebook every single day.

Social media tools certainly lend themselves to effective advocacy. Through Facebook, businesses and organizations can create a business page to promote their business or foundation. You can give and receive information regarding initiatives, implementations, and or plans regarding issues such as advocacy. There are also advocacy sites. What is truly amazing is that millions of people can search and learn. On Facebook you can even invite others to search and learn; giving information and receiving information. This is certainly a powerful tool for advocacy.

I can definitely use these social media tools to educate and inspire others in my advocacy work. My advocacy objective is to promote increasing efforts for early childhood caregivers/providers/educators to be afforded ongoing and relevant professional development. Social media can enhance these efforts because I can reach more people in a quick way. I can even target a certain audience of people to promote my advocacy efforts. I can gain friends who share the same interest to join in coalition with me.

I spoke with a colleague and asked them for suggestions as to how I could use social media to promote my advocacy efforts. I was strongly encouraged to get a Twitter Account. This will enable me to communicate quickly and effectively using an additional platform. I can share information with as many as one person to a million people.

 

Advocacy Messages

Inspiring Campaign Messages

Campaign: College Access

Message: Get Schooled

This message is effective in creating action because it invites all high school students to attend college; positively sharing that college is accessible.

Campaign: Caregiver Assistance (African-American Market)

Message: Support for Your Strength

This message is effective in creating action because it shares information regarding the caregiver role within the African-American community and how many within that community are caregivers. Caregivers are supporting others and they need support as well, emotionally and physically. 

Campaign: Reducing Food Waste

Message: Save the Food

This message is effective in creating action because food is fuel. It is needed. It is wanted. So much of it is wasted. The waste must stop. Everyone can advocate for this.

My Own Capacity

                                                                                                                                                        

Which issues impacting young children and their families and/or the field of early

      childhood fuel your passion?

Doing what is best for children is always at the helm of what I do as an early childhood educator. I am a mother; and I always think about the services that my children receive. When it comes down to their education, I want them to have the highest of quality educational experiences. Being highly qualified is not a one shot deal. It is continuous and relevant learning for the early childhood educator or caregiver. For a lot of America’s very young people, professional development offerings for the caregiver’s or educator’s is minimum if at all. With that said, the issue that is impacting young children and their families and the field of early childhood that fuels my passion id ongoing and relevant professional development opportunities for early childhood caregivers and educators. I am going to work to ensure that my colleagues everywhere has access to professional learning opportunities so that they can afford every child and their family high quality services.

 What knowledge, skills, dispositions, and/or talents do you possess that will contribute to your advocacy work?

I possess the following knowledge, skills, dispositions, and talents that will contribute to my advocacy work: 

Assertiveness

Integrity and Respect for Others

Knowledge of Early Childhood Education

Persistence and Patience

Problem Solving

 In what ways do you hope to grow in order to be a more effective advocate?

I have learned that as an effective advocate, you can not be scared to disagree or challenge someone. Although I am assertive, I shy away from private and or public disagreements. I want to grow in this area to be more effective as an advocate. I want to be able to challenge others privately and or publicly when the other person is wrong or have incorrect information.

My Role as an ADVOCATE...

What motivated you to start advocating for very young children?

I began my work in early childhood education 10 years ago; working as an early childhood educator (pre-kindergarten teacher). Working with the children, I learned that every child is different and their family is different; however they all deserve an equal opportunity in receiving a high quality education as well as an equal opportunity in life. That is the time when I began my work as an advocate. I began speaking up for children; making certain that their rights ere respected. Every child should be heard; so I truly began listening to them; but not with my ears, but with my eyes and heart.

 Why is it essential to acknowledge and foster advocacy efforts at the

 micro as well as the macro level?

For many years, I had the wrong impression of advocacy. I thought that advocacy was for politicians to handle. However, I was wrong and I believe that it is essential for advocacy efforts are essential for every individual (micro) to foster as well as organizations (macro). As an early childhood educator, I see children and know their need first hand. My observation, knowledge, and voice can make a difference at the local level and at the national level.

What does it take to be a community leader on early childhood issues?

A community leader on early childhood issues must have knowledge of what is best for children and will to actually speak and work on the behalf of children. The community leader must initiate and coordinate activities to support children and their families. The community leader on early childhood issues must be trusted in their community.

What resources does it take to be a state leader on early childhood issues?

In order to be a state leader on early childhood issues, the individual needs an early childhood vision and they need to speak audaciously about their vision. They must set the tone for agencies and they work with everyone to build high quality early childhood systems. Knowledge of early childhood and networking abilities are pivotal.

What tactics or strategies do you use to mobilize others?

To mobilize others, I always tell them my leadership story and how I aim to make change to support children and their families. I also lead by example. When people see me doing something positive, I notice that others follow my practice.

What advice would you give to someone who was interested in taking a leadership role in advocating for young children and their families?

In an effort to advise someone who is interested in taking a leadership role in advocating for young children and their families, I would encourage them to do the following:

Begin working with children, even if you have to volunteer at a youth center.

Educate yourself; get a degree or certification in early childhood education.

Gather resources to help children and families.

Personal Advocacy Reflection

As I reflect on a personal act of advocacy, I think about a member of my church who literally took another church member by the hand and showed her how to become self-sufficient. Tammy is a mother of four children who had her first child at the age of 14.  Helen was a divorced mother of one son. When Tammy became a member of our church, Helen saw how tattered Tammy’s children looked in terms of their dress. Tammy also shared Helen, that she was living in a garage. Helen took Tammy under her wings and began to help her get a grip on life. Instead of giving her money, food, or shelter, she showed her how to manage and use the money that she received as income wisely. She also helped her to enroll in nursing school. It has been 7 years since Tammy entered our church doors, and now Tammy is a certified nurse and her children are excelling academically in school. Helen didn’t just give Tammy a fish, she showed her how to fish. Helen gave Tammy a BIG Helping Hand.......

Advocacy Action...

I am ready to help and be the the change that I want to see!

I am ready for action!

SPEAK OUT FOR CHILDREN 
Come let us gather together.
Come let us speak now as one.
Speak for the rights of the children.
Speak out the needs to be done.

Speak for the hearts that are hungry.
Speak for the hearts that are sad.
Speak for each child a beginning
That futures a heart ever glad.

Speak for a world where the children
Come first in each thought and each plan.
Speak for a world where the children
Have rights – no matter the land.

Come, let us ring out our voices,
Come, stand together and say
Each child has the right to a future!
Each voice can help light the way!
                        Jean Warren  © Warren Publishing House