Week 5: Community Mapping

This week, students worked hard on creating a mission statement for our group to help give us direction. Students also had the chance to revisit a team building challenge that they did not conquer in the first week of club: the Human Knot. The students this time used a lot of patience, turn taking and listening skills to complete the task in about 7 minutes. I was very proud to see what even in such a short time, the students are learning how to work better as a team.

Students also started a process called Community Mapping. Students started to look at the assets in their own community (like the firedepartment, the PTCA, etc) and also started to look at the Deficits, or Needs. From this list, the students will choose one to focus on for their Global Youth Service Day Project. Here is the list:

1. Lack of community service involvement in their community

2. Vandalism

3. Lack of outlets for artistic expression for youth

4. Car pollution

5. Litter

6. Homeless animals

7. Negative school climate

8. Crime

9. Drug use

Students will be voting and debating about which one they thing they can chance in a positive way over the course of the year.

Also -- very exciting news! Trees Atlanta will be teaming up with Everyday Leaders to help lead environmental service-learning labs, sessions, and projects two times per month. The other times we will be working on our youth-led project (something that addresses one of the issues above) for Global Youth Service Day. Students will be expects in this areas so that they can create a more lasting and effective project.

Have a great week!

Peace,

Laura