B-READY After-School Program Archive

To this new address:  www.ssypbready.wordpress.com.  See you there!

Last week, during April vacation week, members of the Youth Leadership Corps (YLC) took part in an amazing overnight hosted by the Church of the Messiah in Woods Hole, Massachusetts.

The students spent their time visiting the Woods Hole Aquarium and participating in hands on activities at the Marine Biological Laboratory and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute. Students were able to touch a variety of marine species such as Horseshoe Crabs, Blue Lobster, Skates, and many others which are used for medical research. Read the rest of this entry »

The college professors I keep in contact with are always surprised by my decision to give up art history and museum education pursuits in order to volunteer with children and youth for a year.  Right after graduation, I was offered an opportunity to work as a Lead Counselor and Technology Coordinator for St. Stephen’s Youth Programs through TechMission Corps.   TechMission is an AmeriCorp program wherein members commit to one year of direct service.  As a staff member of the B-READY after-school program at St. Stephen’s, I worked with Kindergarten to 2nd grade the first two trimesters, and now I am enjoying my afternoons with the older elementary (3rd through 5th grade) students.

The first month, I was overwhelmed. I doubted myself and questioned my decisions. There were a lot of “I could have…” statements lingering in my mind.  I was surrounded by so much energy from the children that sometimes I could not keep up.  But then I realized I am here to support them in every way so if that means I have to run and chase them when playing tag, I would.  If that means dancing to cloying Justin Bieber’s Baby, I would join them in chorus!  Read the rest of this entry »

On St. Patrick’s Day, St. Stephen’s Youth Programs and St. Stephen’s Church had a wonderful ski trip to Pat’s Peak.  You can read all about it here.

Over the last trimester, the Youth Leadership Corps (the YLC, our middle school program) has been reaping the benefits of our growing relationships with partner organizations. It has been a personal goal, to connect my students with new and exciting opportunities in the area, in order to broaden their skill set and their options for future endeavors. This year, through networking with Squashbusters Inc. at Northeastern University, Kidding Around Drama from Emerson College, Kids Can Cook, and YES (Youth Enrichment Services), the YLC was able to take part in a myriad of unique field trips and workshops.

Our relationship with Squashbusters, Inc.  has blossomed over the last year.  Jenn Lillis, Academic and Community Coordinator at Squashbusters, was so impressed with the maturity and level of participation of our youth,  that we were asked to return to take part in a Nutrition and Squash Workshop a few short weeks ago. Students were shown snacks and beverages they eat daily and ask to compare nutrition labels on each. Read the rest of this entry »

Michael with three of his LEARN students on their student service day!

Hello, everyone! My name is Michael Lavelle, and I’m the Academic Coordinator for the B-READY after-school program. I’m here to reflect a little on my experience of being a second year Jesuit Volunteer. As some of you may know, the Jesuit Volunteer Corps consists of a one-year commitment to service.  However, due to my immensely positive experience last year at St. Stephen’s last year, I elected to extend my service for an additional year. It was a difficult period of discernment for me as I decided about doing an additional year.  Read the rest of this entry »

Contributed by Franceska, teen member of the St. Stephen’s Place of Opportunity for Teens (The S²POT)

Note:  You can view the photographs of all of our teens here: 
CfC Bullying Photography – Landscape
and here: CfC Bullying Photography – Portrait.

About Culture for Change (from their website):  “The Culture for Change Project (CfC) is an initiative of the Barr Foundation in partnership with Health Resources in Action (formerly The Medical Foundation) that aims to support an ongoing collaboration between artists, youth workers, and young people.  At its core, it values self-empowerment for young people and enhanced creative skills for all.  CfC endorses authentic inquiry and youth voice as critical components of youth programs working for social change.  It uses the arts to explore social issues, and hopes to encourage leadership, self-expression, and self-discovery for children and teens of all races and ethnicities in Boston neighborhoods.”   You can learn more on the CfC website: http://cfc.barrexternal.org/about/.

Our teens at a November Culture for Change gathering with members of other participating youth programs.

As a first year social work intern with the B-READY after-school program assigned Youth Leadership Corps (our middle school program, also known as the YLC) and teens, I’ve learned a lot since September!  Meeting students and staff members, helping with homework, participating in groups, and going on field trips are just a few of the many wonderful activities I’ve participated in. 

However, one of the best experiences I’ve had is being part of the Culture for Change project, an intensive, social justice-based art program (read more information about the project below).  Read the rest of this entry »

The memorial labyrinth at Boston College

When I began working in the B-READY after-school program in September, I was warmly welcomed into a family.  I have spent my time getting to know the staff and establishing relationships with the children in the LEARN (elementary school) program.  As a MSW student at Wheelock College, I have been taught to focus on the strengths of the individual.  The children in the B-READY program are some of the strongest, most spirited children I have ever known!  They are always quick with a smile, have a real passion to learn and are never afraid to voice their opinions.  They continue to teach me everyday while I develop my style of social work practice.

We have found at times that the children can seem stressed, have problems identifying their feelings or have difficulty calming down.  During a staff training in December revolving around relaxation techniques, handling stress, and personal wellness, the staff of St. Stephen’s Youth Programs learned several breathing, relaxation, and visual techniques.  We hope to not only utilize these skills for our own personal wellness, but also for the well being of the children.

One particular technique we focused on during this training is the use of a walking labyrinth.  Labyrinth walking is a form of meditation.  Read the rest of this entry »

BEFORE: One of the new additions to the Blackstone Elementary School greenhouse is a "Salad Bar"!

On the morning of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, I was elated to discover that work on the production of the Blackstone greenhouse had already been underway when I arrived.  Immediately, I availed myself of an opportunity to help and — along with other members of the St. Stephen’s community organizing program, as well as a few volunteers from The Food Project –began to transport soil and make arrangements for our pre-meditated planting process.   In addition to the planting of various forms of vegetables and flowers, along with the rearrangement of the greenhouse, my eyes beheld a mural drawn by other members of our volunteer force, depicting the water cycle.  All of this, I knew was for the further advancement of the science curriculum at the Blackstone Elementary School.  I couldn’t help but be proud of the work done by my teenage peers and others, and be proud of the work that would be done in the children, who would gaze in awe of all that was done in the greenhouse and be inspired to learn.

AFTER: The Salad Bar is already in full bloom by the time of the Blackstone library opening.

Contributed by Alex, teen member of the St. Stephen’s Place of Opportunity for Teens (The S²POT)

About about the teen community organizing project:  The Stephen’s Place of Opportunity for Teens (The S²POT)  offers an annual community organizing program where teens learn about leadership, select and research a key area of concern, and mobilize their peers to take action on this issue.  This year, as part of St. Stephen’s renewed partnership with the Blackstone Elementary School, our teens decided to join together to help restore the Blackstone’s greenhouse.  As part of their education and with the help of  The Food Project, our teens also learned about growing food, food distribution systems, and issues of food justice.