This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
My students have been involved in a service-learning internship, throughout their junior and senior year, in which they have facilitated conflict resolution activities to 1440 elementary students in local schools. They aim to take their local work and apply it on a national level in NYC.
My students are considered "at-risk" youth and our school is located in the inner-city.
My students are community driven, passionate, and caring. In their junior year they were selected as students whose interest in a mental health career would make them suitable for an internship that helped elementary students practice conflict resolution, mindfulness, and social-emotional awareness. Over the past two years they have devoted a day of each week to mentoring local youth and making a difference in our city. With local crime and murder rates at an all time high, they are the hope our city needs.
My Project
To culminate their past couple years of service, my students aim to partake in a week long service trip, during their spring break, in New York City. They will take the skills that they have learned through local service and apply it to the work they will do during the trip. A local non-profit and program partner has offered the use of their mini-charter bus and certified CDL driver for the duration of our trip. They have given us the discounted, non-profit rate. Without transportation and funding, this trip will not be possible.
Why New York City you might ask? Why not? Many of my students have never left the city they were born in, let alone travel to one of the most iconic cities in the US. The work they've done these past two years has been remarkable and their efforts should be recognized, while simultaneously giving them cultural, educational, and fun opportunities for growth.
The students will be exposed to several different non-profit organizations throughout the city, allowing them to see that there are different career avenues from traditional mental health occupations.
Serving others can be a career.
My students recognize the impact they've had on local youth, but don't realize their capacity for change on a broader scope. I hope this trip will enable them to see that what they do can be applied anywhere in the world.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Clair and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.