Service-Learning Reflective Journal

John Perry

Prior to the service…

1. The homeless youth today face many challenges such as climate, hunger,
drugs, crime and sex work/trafficking. Some of the root causes of these
problems is brought on as a temporary resolution to another problem. (ie.
Using drugs/alcohol when the weather is bad to help feel the effects of the
climate less. Or sex work to keep a roof over your head.) Although there are
many homeless shelters and organizations to help the homeless in Utah,
there are far fewer that focus on the homelessness of youth and the
difficulties they face. The homeless youth resource center is a good place
that tries to reduce the problems for these youths. Unfortunately, this
problem still exists in our community. And if we hope to combat this
problem, we need to understand more about the individuals themselves
and the problems they're facing. Many of these youths don't know how to
get out of the situation they're in. They don't know how they got in it. It is
not a choice.
2. I have chosen to work with the homeless youth in Salt Lake City Utah. I will
be working with the Homeless Youth Resource Center. This includes
homeless youth from the ages of 16 to 24. Although there are many
homeless shelters and organizations to help the homeless in Utah, there
are far fewer that focus on the homelessness of youth and the difficulties
they face. The homeless youth resource center is a good place that tries to
reduce the problems for these youths. Unfortunately this problem still
exists in our community. And if we hope to combat this problem, we need
to understand more about the individuals themselves and the problems
they're facing. Many of these youths don't know how to get out of the
situation they're in. They don't know how they got in it. It is not a choice.
Shortly After Your Service…
3. Growing up, my parents have always taught me to look at those less
fortunate and try and help. They also taught me do not look on the outside
but rather the person themselves. Well there, I noticed youth from what
seemed like every demographic; gay, straight, black, or white.
4. From an argumentative perspective, one thing that is debatable is why the
youth should go there to that location. There are several other homeless
shelters that can be utilized. Or one might think, where are their parents
and why are they taking care of them? In response to some of these
questions, or debates, I point to the law itself. It is illegal to be homeless.
These larger homeless shelters can get in trouble for housing a minor
without parental consent. So often times they don't take them in due to the
legality of things. At the Homeless Youth Resource Center, they have teams
to help fight these battles in order to make sure these youths at least have
a place to stay and eat.
5. Some of the negative stereotypes that are reinforced through the media is
focus of drug use, violence, and crime. This is depicted in movies and tv
shows alike. However in most of these media depictions of homeless youth
end with someone breaking out of the poverty cycle. The problem is
depicted negatively but portrays the need to help these people find
stability in life. One thing that the media doesn’t show as frequent is the aid
that is given to them. There isn’t really a movie or tv show that depicts the
shelters and the efforts made to help them. The only news of this appears
in news media.
6. While working with the Homeless Youth Resource Center, we got to go in
and discuss ways in which volunteers are able to help. They talked a little
briefly about how a lot of these volunteers don’t know how to do some of
the processes that help these youth. I got thinking about how it would be
easier to train them if there was written instruction on what to do and how
to do it.
Service Reflection…
7. One way that this service-learning activity has changed my way of think
about and viewing Technical writing is I am more conscious of the way that
flyers and handouts are written. I think it is cool how a well done
announcement will give all the needed information in a matter of a few
brief words. I have used the opportunity I had working with the Homeless
Youth Resource Center to decide that I want to continue to try and serve
the community. I talked with my girlfriend and we want to try and do a
service project like that once a month.
8. I think there are countless ways that people can get involved in the
communities that they live in. It doesn’t just have to be through an
organization. It can be as simple as helping out a neighbor in the
community that has fallen on hard times. If we are able to cultivate a
culture of caring then that would be the ultimate service to our
communities in my opinion. By looking out for everyone we will grow
together.