From the desk of Audi - Week 4 at FYP

Hello!

This week I finally presented my PowerPoint presentation for the HALS COC meeting.. I was very nervous but in the end, I had a good turnout and created much conversation. With the Youth-Led Townhall coming up this week I have attended meetings and created an agenda for how the Town Hall will go. There should be a great turnout since we have been doing as much advertising as we could. Over the weekend, SU students passed out over 150 fliers! 

As many know, finding a job can be difficult. Putting in countless applications can be frustrating, especially when you do not get an interview or call back. Now imagine having more barriers such as being an ex-felon. How do we expect people to integrate back into society when a lot of rights, such as voting and privileges are taken away from them? After doing some research on what companies do consider or take felons into consideration. I have created a list of a few companies in Salisbury and surrounding areas. 

• AT&T

• Verizon 

• Ace Hardware 

• Baskin- Robbins 

• Buffalo Wild Wings

• Chili’s 

• Chipotle 

• Dollar Tree

• Family Dollar 

• Goodwill 

• GreyHound 

• Red Lobster 

• PetSmart 

• Jiffy Lube 

• Kohl’s  

https://www.dioceseofjoliet.org/siteimages/peace/documents/Jail_and_Prison_Ministry/List_of_Felon_Friendly_Employers.pdf 

From The Desk of Audi - Week 3 at FYP

Hello! 

This week has been more focused on finishing up some projects. I am making the final touches to my PowerPoint presentation to present to the HALS COC meeting next week. As well as the annual sleepout on November 17th and town hall that is in a few weeks. Things are slowly coming together.

For my new project I have been working on creating a rough draft for host applications and contracts. The Fenix Youth Project has the exciting news of getting approved for host housing!

I have also learned about new policies that have been implemented that could and will affect the homeless population overall. Maryland Police Accountability Act of 2021 - Police Discipline and Law Enforcement Programs and Procedures and Maryland House Bill 189. The Accountability Act prohibits a police officer from preventing a citizen from recording the officer's actions if the citizen is otherwise acting lawfully and safely. Also learned that HB 189 is a Pilot Program in the Division of Neighborhood Revitalization to provide funds to nonprofit organizations to establish or expand mobile laundry services for the homeless. 

I’m excited to learn more during my internship.

Where Do We Go Next?

The events of the 2020-21 school year—a global pandemic, calls for racial justice, and an unprecedented shift to remote school—have highlighted the challenges and inequities faced by many of America’s young people. To better understand young people’s experiences, America’s Promise Alliance and Research for Action conducted a wide-ranging, national survey of more than 2,400 high school students, providing one of the most comprehensive looks yet at the high school experience during a year of historic upheaval.

Overall, young people’s responses to this national survey suggest that:

Finding 1: High schoolers are struggling with a decreased sense of wellbeing—reporting declines in mental health and concerning levels of disconnection from peers and adults.

Finding 2: Opportunities to learn about race and racism in the classroom vary but are associated with higher levels of critical consciousness and social action.

Finding 3: COVID-19 has upended postsecondary planning, yet feelings of postsecondary readiness are highest among students who are most connected to teachers and peers, have opportunities to discuss race and racism in school, and feel academically interested and challenged.

These findings illuminate several recommendations for school and district leaders to act on in both the immediate recovery period and afterward:

Recommendation 1: Address student mental health, now and on an ongoing basis.

Recommendation 2: Teach a comprehensive and accurate history of race and racism in the United States.

Recommendation 3: Prioritize postsecondary success through relevant content and pathways planning.

Recommendation 4: Saturate young people’s environments with caring adult relationships.

Read the ENTIRE REPORT -> https://www.americaspromise.org/sites/default/files/d8/gradnation-062321.pdf