This past Thursday our class had the opportunity to speak with the staff of the DAASP and MHJJ programs of Lourdes Hospital. Of the finalist organizations, this was the one that I knew the least about going into the visit. As a result, I didn't know what to expect going in. Afterwards, I can say that any expectations that I did have were exceeded after hearing the staff explain their programs.
The staff spoke about a number of points that I found very compelling. The first being that there is no similar program to the one that they wish to create in the area. This is important because we don't want to fund a program, especially a new one, that addresses a need that is already being tackled by other existing programs. The new program that they are proposing we fund would provide job experience to youth who would experience immense difficulty when finding an internship. As the program staff told us, many of the kids that the program serves have been given up on by their schools. Employers of interns and part time workers don't favor youth who have been in the court system. Under these circumstances, it would be understandable for a young person to feel rejected by society and lose hope. Providing these kids with internships in fields which they have an interest in could change their perspective on life at a very crucial age. They would be letting their energy and emotions out in a way that is productive and creative which we as students know can be very rewarding. Additionally, the program would provide them with experience that would look good on a resume, something that many of us understand all too well.
What impressed me most at the site visit was the passion that was clearly visible in all the staff members. Our class may have some reservations about funding a new program. Many of us seek to fund a program that will be sustainable as to make a lasting impact. A new program might seem risky because we don't know if it will succeed and be funded in the future. Personally, I feel more at ease knowing that the staff behind the program is passionate about their work with youth. A new program needs passionate leaders and staff behind it to produce results that will allow them to get funding. I think all of us can agree that the staff has this passion. They came off as very dedicated and also positive which must be difficult when dealing with youth who have very little positivity in their lives. This serves a double purpose. Not only does the staff's passion show that they will work hard to make the new program succeed, it also shows us that they are good role models for the youth that they serve. The kids in these programs could use a role model who is positive and dedicated to helping them succeed because many of them probably feel like society has given up on them. Having an adult figure who works tirelessly to improve these kids lives must give them hope in their own futures.
I'm not attempting to sway the class into favoring this organization for our grant. The other four candidates are also impressive and have key differences that set them apart from each other. However, I was very impressed with this particular organization and consider it a front runner at this point in our decision making process. I'm interested in hearing what your impressions were of this organization at the site visit.
I can really relate to this post because my feelings before going to this final site visit were drastically altered once we finished our time with the DAASP and MHJJ staff. Before the site visit, I questioned the thought of funding a new program. Is that meaningful? Would it have a wide or deep impact, or any at all if the program can ultimately crash and burn? But, what I learned from the staff is to take risks. Their program, BCAST, took a chance applying for a million dollar grant and they got it. Obviously, their programs do have potential and the grant solidifies that fact. I also enjoyed sitting in the place where the programs take place, as well as seeing the icebreaker activities that are done. The program that they want us to support gives 6 kids an opportunity to achieve greatness through an internship that they likely wouldn't have gotten on their own. As college students, we know how important this position can be. Not only do internships act as a resume builder, but more importantly it enhances transferrable skills such as time management, communication, etc. I believe that this program encompasses not only the interest area of youth development, but also the other areas that were brought up like mental health and the arts. So, unlike my stance before this site visit, I think this program is as good of a contender, if not a better contender, as the rest of the programs. All of their programs are centered on taking chances on at-risk youth/juvenile delinquents, so as a class I think we should take a chance to fund their one-of-a-kind program!
ReplyDeleteMike, I really enjoyed your blog post as it effectively addressed and analyzed Lourdes and the program that would be created with our funding. You most definitely were not the only one who was impressed with the organization and their presentation. Personally, as I said during my presentation yesterday, I was astounded at the fact that they brought everyone who would be involved in this program to our site visit so that they could most effectively answer our questions. It was clear that Rafaela and the others were passionate about the program and the children who have been written off by most of society. This passion is a necessity when trying to create a new program because they will face some setbacks, but the passion and care that they showed for the children showed me that we do not have to worry about this program falling apart because they will fight for their kids and this program. Also, I enjoyed how they did more than just tell us how they get these kids to work together, they used us as an example and made us play an ice-breaker game that forces these children to communicate, learn each other’s names, and work for a common goal. All of these things are great about DAASP and MHJJ, but I do have some reservations about the site visit and the program as a whole. I felt as though they mainly spoke about DAASP and MHJJ, and what those programs and the organization does as a whole instead of focusing on the program that we would fund. They more briefly spoke about what the new program would do and I was impressed with all of the things that these 6 children would be able to do; however, it is only 6 children and with $7,500, is 6 children enough of an effect? In addition, I am worried about how the children who will not get to shadow and participate in the movie will react when they are told that they cannot do what they want. In all, this new program would be something that Broome County has never seen before and it would change the lives of 6 children, but what we have to consider is whether or not 6 children is enough.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your post and thought that your analysis of Lourdes was definitely accurate! I think that going into this site visit, many of us had not considered this program as a front runner, as we had many reservations about taking the risk to fund a new program. However, after the site visit, I definitely felt more strongly about considering this program for our grant. The passion, knowledge, and motivation of the Lourdes program managers/staff we spoke to was apparent, and they gave us a lot of good information on the history of MHJJ and DAASP and about their recent start up of the BCAST program. They also provided us with a written copy of answers to our questions that clarified more specifics of the program and why it is important to have. Overall, even though the program would only give 6 kids internships, other kids would be able to do some work on the film project, and the kids' lives would be greatly impacted by giving them this opportunity to gain teamwork, time management, independence, communication, and technical skills as well as giving them a creative, therapeutic outlet and exposing them to experiences that they wouldn't have had otherwise. Also, regarding the fact that it would be a new program, the BCAST program was launched recently by Lourdes, has been initially successful, and the staff is working hard to ensure that it is able to continue. This display of commitment to a program is most likely what would happen if we funded their new program. If we funded the program and it was successful, other investors could be attracted. In this way, we could be investing in the success of the program initially and aiding in securing its sustainability and success in the future, which could potentially have a larger impact than just giving the money to a program that would use the money to help with program costs for a few months. In addition, in our class discussion with Anita yesterday, she described investing in a new program as a risk, but that the risk can be an amazing opportunity and a learning experience for all parties involved, and if the risk doesn't work out in the long term, at least there were some lives impacted, which is better than if the program didn't ever run at all.
ReplyDeleteI found that the DAASP Program was the most inspirational program we've investigated so far. I really enjoyed our presenters' enthusiasm and passion. In all honesty, there are many things we should consider when deciding what organization to donate towards. However, the staff's enthusiasm and passion towards their mission continues to have the most influential sway on my opinion.
ReplyDeleteI believe this organization would utilize our funds in the best way, as only to maximize our contribution towards reaching their goals. It looks as if the staff truly cares about the future of these children in the same way we would hope the winner of our grant should care.
The BCAST program is interesting. I'm not too sure if I'm completely sold on the idea but I do like it. It could be a good way for the organization to reach out to certain troubled children in their own way. I trust the staff of DAASP to utilize any funding they receive in the best way possible.
I found that the DAASP Program was the most inspirational program we've investigated so far. I really enjoyed our presenters' enthusiasm and passion. In all honesty, there are many things we should consider when deciding what organization to donate towards. However, the staff's enthusiasm and passion towards their mission continues to have the most influential sway on my opinion.
ReplyDeleteI believe this organization would utilize our funds in the best way, as only to maximize our contribution towards reaching their goals. It looks as if the staff truly cares about the future of these children in the same way we would hope the winner of our grant should care.
The BCAST program is interesting. I'm not too sure if I'm completely sold on the idea but I do like it. It could be a good way for the organization to reach out to certain troubled children in their own way. I trust the staff of DAASP to utilize any funding they receive in the best way possible.
I think we can consider many of the things Anita Borkenstein discussed in her presentation yesterday when we also consider the site visit at Lourdes. Initially I was very interested in this program as it relates to juvenile justice, and that is something I hope to learn more about in the future. However, after receiving the RFP and reviewing their plan I became really hesitant, potentially even dismissing of it. I was not really sure if the risk would be worth it considering not all students have a passion for arts. However, it was very evident that the students that would be in the program exemplify this passion and desire to learn more about film making, acting, writing screen-plays... I guess I was surprised by this. Anita said that funding a new program is a risk, but it is like an investment. Investments require risk-taking too. Ultimately I still have some questions I would like answered including how they will work around working paper limitations for students under 18, and if they have been successful in making at least six internship opportunities in addition to the Radio station and the Zoo. However, Anita's example at the end of her talk regarding the college camp prep program was very relevant to the situation. They took a risk in funding the program, and ultimately it is still helping students in a meaningful way. However, the program design has been readjusted to better fit the circumstances overall. I think that a similar circumstance could happen with the DASP program. They may start and realize that they need to make changes to be more effective. However, I think that they know their students and their organization, and as Andrew said above, I would trust the staff to utilize any funding in the best possible way ultimately to create a wonderful internship program for the students. I think that ensuring students get job experience is necessary, but if Rafaella and her team at DASP notice that they could make some changes later I would likely be understanding. I do not think the Westchester Impact 500 ladies regret funding the camp program overall because of the change. However, it also seems that DASP has a fairly thought out plan, and therefore it sounds likely to work well for at least the first year. Starting a new program is really appealing to me because in some ways we do exactly what Anita said, we help the people receiving the service, we help the organization grow, and as students we can grow ourselves knowing that we helped start something new.
ReplyDeleteGoing into this site visit, I felt the same way that you did. I was unsure as to what they really intended on doing with this program and I'm still a little confused about it. I know that they match students with employers for an internship that they otherwise probably wouldn't get, but I'm confused as to how this is different from other programs that they run because they said that they already provide these kids with internships in the area. I think the only difference is that in the new program they are also making a short film throughout the year, so we would basically just be funding students making a movie, or at least that is what I took away from the site visit. I am not against what they are doing at Lourdes and I do think the rest of their work is admirable and extremely beneficial to the community, but I just don't know if this program is different enough from the others to choose this organization, also considering that only 6 kids would be involved. Regardless of my concerns about if this program would be different enough from the others offered at Lourdes, I agree with you that the employees were passionate and are great role models for the kids they serve. No matter what programs are offered through them, the students will be better off and that is one major reason to consider them as a candidate. It really is important to have familiar faces and people who care about you in this world, and that is what the staff is offering. The staff also has long term goals for this program and knows what they want to do and where to go with the program, and I think that shows that it will be stable and have the potential to obtain future funding, and our class could help them get established. Clearly there are pros and cons of this program and we need to weigh them carefully when we make out final decision next week.
ReplyDeleteI was also on the fence about the Lourdes DAASP/MHJJ program proposal prior to our site visit. As a member of the group presenting on this program, I had some more information going in than many others, but the visit exceeded my expectations and answered many of the doubts and questions I had. The staff was very impressive, they were forthcoming with information and were very passionate and dedicated. At first I was skeptical about an arts-based program, wondering if there was a need for this in the community. I know the staff are trying to get our grant, so they obviously would not say anything that hurt their chance. However, from what they said and after researching it more, there is nothing in the community like this program, and I am beginning to think that an arts program will be effective if the youth are interested.
ReplyDeleteMy biggest concern though has been the fact that this would be a brand new program. They have no guaranteed future funding, and that risk is frightening; we may fund a program that will not be around for very long. Our visit helped alleviate some of those concerns after seeing how dedicated and committed the staff is to their existing programs and hearing how successful they have been thus far. After reflecting on this more and hearing new information, this fear for me is beginning to subside. First of all, Lourdes has a huge umbrella and great clout in the community under which this program would operate. The staff seemed confident that they would be able to secure future funding if they could statistically prove it's success. All they needed was for someone to take a leap. After hearing what Anita had to say on Tuesday, that risks aren't necessarily a bad thing, I feel more comfortable with our class taking that leap.