1. Reflective Presentation Emily Homel

2. Boys Hope Girls Hope This organization provides at risk middle and high school students with around the clock care. Students live in a house with a counselor and other boys and girls in similar situations. There is one girls house and one boys house located near Regis Jesuit High School. The organization takes care of the students medical, emotional, social, and academic needs. Students live in the houses together and attend Regis Jesuit until acceptance to college. 3. My Experience 4. Discussion with the Learner Me: What did you know about Boys Hope Girls Hope before you joined the program? Learner: I didnt know about it. Me: What has helped you be successful here? What skills do you have from before you started that have helped you now that youre here? Learner: My counselor really helped me feel at home. It takes me a while to feel comfortable with people, and she really pushed me to open up and talk about what was going on in my head. I used to spend so much time alone that I was just used to keeping it to myself. Now I know I have a safe place to talk and everyone here will support me and help me. 5. Discussion with the Learner Me: What has Boys Hope Girls Hope helped you the most with? Learner: I get good grades now. I never did my homework before, and now I have to. They study with me and we all work together. Some of us kind of compete against each other a little with grades. Me: How do you see yourself interacting with Boys Hope Girls Hope in the future? Learner: I definitely want to keep in contact with them so I can get the college scholarship. But I also wouldnt mind helping other kids like me. Its like were family. This is my new family. 6. Due to sensitivity of the families, I was unable to ask the students family members questions. However, I interviewed one of the volunteer coordinators and one of the live in counselors. 7. Discussion with a Counselor Me: How did you find out about this program? Counselor: A friend of a friend told me about it. Ive always had a passion for working with this age group and I just really want to give these boys the support they need to make it in this world.Me: What has helped you understand the impact you make on these boys lives? Counselor: My relationships with all of them. Its always hard at first. The transition is difficult and really emotional. The boys tend to have a hard time trusting me, and its just tough. Once theyve been here for a while and know I am here for them, we start to click and they start to improve academically and socially. Its just really rewarding to see them mature and realize they have all these opportunities at their fingertips. 8. Discussion with a Counselor Me: What do you think your learner has learned the most since joining Boys Hope Girls Hope? Counselor: Responsibility and accountability. He has realized that we are going to follow through and make sure his work is being completed and he is following the right path. Its given him more confidence to know that we are here every step of the way. Me: Where do you think he learned this? Counselor: He learned it through our discussions and meetings. Both our individual one-on-one sessions, but during our groups sessions as well where he sees the other boys being held to the same standard. 9. Discussion with a Counselor Me: What else do you think I should know about this program? Counselor: It really makes a difference in these kids lives. We take them from places where their chances are slim and they are facing major obstacles. We give them opportunities and then expect them to rise to our standards. And they do. 10. Discussion with a Volunteer Coordinator Me: What kinds of things do you consider when designing the learning experiences? Volunteer Coordinator: The students background knowledge is the biggest factor. Some of these kids do not have the language skills necessary to be truly successful. Nor do they have the experiences more fortunate kids are provided. We try our best to catch them up and expose them to all that we can. We want to prepare them for the future and give them the tools necessary to succeed. 11. Discussion with a Volunteer Coordinator Me: How do these learning experiences incorporate strengths that the learner brings with them? Volunteer Coordinator: We have group sessions where all the kids talk about their experiences and share what they can. We want to incorporate every childs background. Just like you share your experiences with cousins or your spouse, we share our experiences. Many of these students have experienced similar situations, and sharing their pasts and current experiences helps them bond and form a family here. 12. Discussion with a Volunteer Coordinator Me: How does the background knowledge of the students' relate to the mission and vision of the organization? Volunteer Coordinator: Boys Hope Girls Hope helps at risk children to meet their full potential. Our vision is that they become women and men for others. We support them through family-like homes, a variety of opportunities, and a quality education from middle school through college. In order for them to be successful, the kids need to feel that they are valued and important. Their individual backgrounds are so important. We value their backgrounds, their families, and their experiences. We stay in contact with their families and support them through visits and different opportunities to grow and become all they can be. 13. Discussion with a Volunteer Coordinator Me: What are some of the ways that you think that the learning experience of the children might be enhanced with deliberate planning from an asset perspective? Volunteer Coordinator: Everything we do is planned deliberately. From the counselors, to the meals, we plan to help these kids the best we can. We want them to be successful and to feel our care and support. The students learn and grow academically, however, they grow emotionally as well. We focus on the emotional side just as much as we focus on the educational side. 14. My Reflection When I first heard about this program, I was shocked. I attended Regis Jesuit High school and had no idea that my high school supported such an amazing program. Because of my high school experience, I am well versed in all that Regis Jesuit High School has to offer both academically and socially. Outside of academics, Regis is like a family. It is an experience that these students would otherwise not be fortunate enough to enjoy. Boys Hope Girls Hope allows students privileges that would be unattainable due to their familys status.Throughout this course, I have mentioned how many students are not allotted opportunities comparable to their privileged peers experiences. This program gives students the ability to succeed. The learners are provided a safe and comfortable place to live where their basic needs are met. They receive support from middle school through college, both emotionally and financially, and are consistently encouraged to reach their fullest potential. I wish that more students in our country were provided such opportunities. Boys Hope Girls Hope is making our communities and country a better place by helping young people in need.