A WORLD WE DARE TO IMAGINE PART 1
A WORLD WE DARE TO IMAGINE PART 1
This assignment is certainly the most overwhelming Professor Hansen has given us thus far. How do we even dare to imagine what our first step would be in making the world a better place? There are so many problems in the world, it's overwhelming! I want to mentor underprivileged youth, help make the world sustainable, save every single homeless dog, make education more accessible, help make healthcare more affordable, etc. Clearly I can't do all of that, which I think is the biggest challenge we face as humans: wanting to fix everything but realistically not being able to. That being said, if there was one thing I do to fully apply myself to in helping make the world a better place, it would be mentoring middle school girls worldwide.
Last year I was fortunate enough to be accepted into a fantastic non-profit at USC called Women and Youth Supporting Each Other, also known as WYSE. In WYSE, we mentor girls at middle schools nearby USC once a week for 3 hours. For the first semester of the school year we teach them about personal identity, body positivity, healthy relationships, social media, mental health, etc. Pretty much all of the topics that schools do not traditionally teach. For the second semester, we teach the girls sex ed. The girls absolutely love WYSE and so do I! It is an amazing program that brings together women to support and empower one another. Because as mentors we are not mandated reporters, the girls feel much more comfortable being open with us and trusting us, which I believe is vital in the relationships we form.
As incredible as WYSE is, it is definitely underfunded and understaffed. It is unfortunately ran by primarily college students. It rocks that college students are so involved in WYSE but the program could definitely use more outsiders to help with logistics and planning. We often lack money for events for the girls or even supplies for them. Aside from that, many of the mentors are white students; whereas, the mentees are women of color who come from way different backgrounds. It would be amazing if we could bring in more guest speakers or expand our recruiting efforts to bring in more mentors who are women of color. Further, we could definitely work with sponsors or companies to provide the girls with opportunites to attend job shadowing days or workshops. Many of the mentees lack the resources to explore jobs or opportunities beyond just what their schools provide them with. It is crucial that organizations like WYSE give them the extra boost and support they need to be the best, confident versions of themselves. Lastly, WYSE does such great work in America and it would be awesome if it could expand worldwide, especially in countries that are less developed. If WYSE had more funding and resources, it could expand its efforts and bring assistance to more schools. How awesome would it be if places like India, where prostitution and femicide rates are high, had WYSE and provided young girls with older women who have been in their position or similar positions to guide them and mentor them?!
As a middle school girl, I struggled with my identity, body, mental health, and just overall changes that happen in life at that time. I was fortunate enough to have upper class parents support me and provide me with the tools I need to achieve and be my best self. Unfortunately, the majority of girls don't have that same background of support, which is why I am a firm believer in how vital WYSE is for female youth. If could realistically invest all of my money into one non-profit and help it grow, the money and my unbreakable support would go to WYSE. I sincerely hope that one day WYSE can expand to places outside of the United States and grow financially to provide girls with all the support and encouragement they need.
Hi Olivia,
ReplyDeleteI am also concerned about very similar problems. and from my understanding, in China, I think the problem is largely caused by poverty and the traditional role that society has placed on women. I wonder what had caused the problem for the girls here. Also, I think there is more could be done. tutoring does offer certain access of education to these girl. However, if they don't have family support to higher education, or they are not allowed to pursue their dreams due to family burden, there is only so much they can achieve. But WYSE is a very important and feasible start. I am very impressed by how much you are already involved.
Thanks,
Claire Lin
Hi Olivia,
ReplyDeleteI am so happy that you are dedicated to a non-profit that you care about. I think that all of the issues that WYSE addresses are very real and it is exceptionally important that young women are receiving education in the various areas you mentioned. I think the ideas that you mentioned are great. For example, the need for more women of color to partake in your mission is overwhelmingly powerful to help build a sense of confidence and understanding in the minds of the young women of color. There are certain things that I'm sure a women of color could better relay to the young girls. And I think learning certain things from women of color will help them build a stronger sense of self. You definitely have direction with this so I can't wait to see what you come up with.
I am touched by what WYSE does for these young girls. I agree that the schools in LA are lacking in so much. I actually attended public school in LA. Although my school was in a better area, the health education we receive is complete trash. We get sex education classes in 5th grade, 7th grade, and then once in high school, but nothing actually helps prepare women for body positivity, mental health, and sex.
ReplyDeleteThe fundamentals of science are there but nothing beyond that. They don't tell you about the ways to get help, the ways to accept and love your body image, and nothing beyond "here's a condom" and "always use a condom." I believe there's more education we all need besides that one health class. I would love to see WYSE get more funding and grants!
Olivia,
ReplyDeleteI absolutely ADORE your idea! I really appreciate how you're incorporating something that's important to you and has made an impact on your USC experience. I think WYSE does incredible work and I know several girls within it and all of you are STARS. I agree with all of the points you presented and why it's important. Like I told Scott, I think one thing that will be important for your project is engaging the audience you're trying to reach. How will you get them to care or develop just as much passion for the community service that WYSE is and it provides? One thing that I think could help in expressing and emphasizing its importance to others is reaching to its members, both past and present, and seeing if they can provide testimonies about their experiences. I think in this scenario, the impact WYSE makes would be clear and convince any investor that this is a good way to go!
-Clifton