Community Support and Networking

Experiences from this semester have taught me how valuable having a good network is. My plans to facilitate ( or aid in a present organization) that promotes social development of underprivileged youth lead me to search for the processes and trainings required to efficiently establish and maintain such an organization. My volunteer experiences have taught me the chain of commands, boards, councils, and community support that all combine to financially, and effectively run a program. Content from classes have expressed how involved religious groups are in supporting the disadvantaged and how network through churches has historically sustained the welfare of many communities. The following articles discuss the advantages of networking between legislators, social workers, and community activists and ways community support helps in the accomplishment of ameliorating the state of social welfare.
Article 1
http://www.swnebr.net/newspaper/cgi-bin/articles/articlearchiver.pl?153459

Article 2
http://gidedicated.com/stories/12302007/fea_youtnotes30.shtml

Article 3
http://bulletin.aarp.org/yourworld/politics/articles/obama_signs_service_bill_that_expands_volunteer_programs.html

Article 4
http://www.news-record.com/content/2008/10/30/article/nonprofit_provides_free_legal_advice

Article 5 (*)
http://www.uncg.edu/hes/alldocs/sweethome.html

Article 6
http://www.4029tv.com/news/19783177/detail.html

Article 7 ( how reforming econonomy supports community socially and environmentally)
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/world/china-pours-billions-into-social-policy/2008/03/05/1204402555954.html

Article 8
http://hamptonroads.com/2008/10/new-substance-abuse-facility-rural-nc-fill-urgent-need

Education System

One of my career goals consist of the plan to develop a recreational program that aims to aid youth ( with a focus on underprivileged communities) by providing the educational, emotional, pshycological, and ethical support needed to thrive in today's society regardless of economic background. The school system plays an important role in the lives of our youth due to the variety of influences that it exposes them to. I feel that by combining the recreational interest of the youth, the educational and influential opportunities offered ( or required) through schools,with the expertise that social workers posses to connect communities with the resources to thrive, constitutes a recipe for progression. In the following articles, I aim to expose both the negative and the positive effects of our school systems and the role that technology plays in the development of our youth. I also share the roles that social workers can have to make future educational experience a better one for tomorrow's youth.

Article 1
http://www.ncrecovery.gov/news/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?newsItemID=62

Article 2
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/09/04/future.library.technology/index.html?iref=newssearch

Article 3
http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20090907-NEWS-909070332

Article 4
http://www.tuttlesvc.org/2009/06/social-work-school-reform.html

Article 5
http://asunews.asu.edu/20090806_conexiones

Article 6
http://www.startribune.com/local/east/41068207.html?elr=KArks:DCiUBcy7hUiacyKUHDYaGEP7eyckcUs
Article 7
http://www.lelandtribune.com/default.asp?dismode=article&artid=1827
Article 8
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/fashion/03sexed.html?hp

Poverty

In my opinion, poverty continues to be a large social problem in America due to negative stigmas attached to the disposition and the government’s inefficiency to handle the cyclic occurrences associated with poverty that make it a struggle for most individuals or families to work their way out. Poverty has been associated a lack of effort to work, a statistical outcome of lesser developed environments, lack of personal responsibility, etc. Since the early 1600’s, the poor have been considered a nuisance to society. I believe that that view travels into the minds of the public and professionals (doctors, conservatives) and aids in the establishment of a caste system that makes the poor out to be individuals undeserving of compassion and assistance from those in more advantaged situations. Having experienced homelessness, I believe that although many who experience poverty have influenced their position, there are many who have fallen on hard times due to the high standards within market cost and economic declines. These articles give insight into specific poverty cases and services offered to alleviate disadvantages of the poor.

Article 1
http://poverty.suite101.com/article.cfm/community_outreach_programs_provide_assistance

Article 2
http://www.globalissues.org/news/2009/08/07/2435

Article 3
http://poverty.suite101.com/article.cfm/poverty_in_north_carolina

Article 4 (*video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vx760Wv2oS4

Article 5
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/story/62911.html

Article 6
http://www.news-record.com/content/2009/12/02/article/emergency_shelters_open_for_the_winter
Article 7
http://www.digtriad.com/news/local_state/article.aspx?storyid=102160&catid=57
Article 8
http://charlotte.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2009/09/07/daily29.html
Article 9
http://www.newsobserver.com/politics/state/story/161245.html

Health care

As of 2009, health care is the political topic of the new year. Health care is an issue that effects Americans ranging from an array of religious backgrounds, races, and social statuses. Historically, since the era of the Elizabethan poor laws, Americans have been taught that it is acceptable to designate services to individuals according to their level of economic status. Forward to the present day where America is comprised of a majority of immigrants, and the minority of the population is considered "wealthy", There looks to be many reforms made in the future that will aim to give efficient services to all in need of care.

Article 1
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/09/10/health.care/index.html

Article 2
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/09/15/klein.health.care.government/index.html

Article 3
http://www.emaxhealth.com/7/762.html

Article 4 (with video)
http://www.racialicious.com/2009/08/19/open-thread-the-link-between-race-and-the-healthcare-protests/

Article 5
http://www.naswnyc.org/Kidpower.htm

Article 6
http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/archive/26099/

Article 7
http://www.omaha.com/article/20091012/LIVING01/710139992

Article 8
http://www.wfae.org/wfae/1_87_316.cfm?action=display&id=4895

Immigration and International Issues

This division explores immigration and gives insight into the lives of refugees and their families. With the threats of September 11Th, rises in birthrates of immigrant populations, and developments addressing new foreign policies, foreigner migration is greatly discussed everywhere from the White house offices to the dining room tables of a majority of American citizens.

From a social work aspect, the greatest concern is focused on the effect that the environment has on the individuals who choose to assimilate and accustom themselves to the overwhelming traditions and norms of the American culture. Listed below are also programs and resources that aid individuals and families who need help becoming citizens.

Article 1
http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,1918941,00.html

Arrticle 2
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/11/world/americas/11prexy.html?_r=1&pagewanted=print

Article 3 (*)

http://www.socialworker.com/home/Feature_Articles/Field_Placement/Inspiration,_Coping,_and_Hope:_South_African_Student_Reflections_During_Field_Work/

Article 4

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/04/10/immigration/index.html

Article 5

http://www.socialworktoday.com/archive/janfeb2008p26.shtml

Article 6

http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/6326.html

Article 7

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/hotstories/6746254.html

Article 8

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/hotstories/6746254.html

Article 9

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/03/stories/2008020359840900.htm