Voices for Children!

http://www.voices.org/

Voices serves children and youth of all ages, from infants born drug-exposed to youth on the edge of independence (up to their 21st birthday). One quarter of the children Voices represents are five years old or younger. Over 50% are teens or older youth. Regardless of age, all children and youth who have been victims of abuse and neglect and find themselves in foster care face many threats to their health and well-being.

Of the children Voices served last year, at least 68% had been physically abused, 13% had suffered sexual abuse, 22% were drug-exposed infants, 20% had suffered from serious medical neglect and 35% experienced physical neglect. Most are victims of multiple types of abuse, neglect and abandonment.
In addition to the trauma they have suffered, our kids often suffer from health, mental health and behavior problems, developmental delays and academic failure. Voices’ children are diagnosed with serious psychological or educational challenges at a rate two to seven times higher than the general child population.

 

The importance of helping others is a principle that can be found in every sphere of society, in one form or another. Views differ as to what motivates the helping individual, or group, but, in the end, it's ones subjective experience of the act that gives it credence, or not

Humans seem to have an innate ability to help one another. This ability may very well be the aspect of "us" that promotes the survival of our species. A compassionate sense of existence drives us to be there for one another; even strangers. The Voices for Children really shows the benefits of helping children and their families.

Children eligible to enter school are provided with benefits intended to help their parents overcome the financial restrictions that might prevent their children from enrolling in school – items such as school uniforms and shoes, school fees, backpacks and other supplies. Which is wonderful! Great job, Voices for Children!

Effect of Poverty

Poverty is the condition of not having the means to be able to afford the basic human needs, which would include health care, clean water, nutrition, shelter, and clothing.  This is called destitution or absolute poverty.  Relative poverty, on the other hand, is having less income or fewer resources than the others in a country or a society. 
Believe it or not, prior to the industrial revolution, poverty had been the norm.  Reduction of poverty has been a result of economic growth as there were increased levels of production, which included modern industrial technology, which made wealth more commonplace for those who had been too poor to afford it.  Additionally investments that have occurred with modernizing agriculture has been at the forefront of the antipoverty effort.  Today the economic development is being constrained by a lack of economic freedoms.  Economic liberalizations would include extending property rights to the poor, to land, and making financial services available.

It is true that around 18 million people a year or 50,000 people in a day will die due to poverty related causes.  Most of these people are women and children.  Those humans who suffer from poverty die from starvation and disease at a disproportionate number to others.  People who live in poverty have a lower life expectancy.  Hunger and malnutrition are the gravest threats to the public health in the world and malnutrition is the biggest contributor resulting in child mortality.  There are almost eleven million children who die before becoming five who live in poverty.  There is an estimated 1.02 billion people around the world who go to bed hungry at night.  Poverty increases homelessness.  There are more than 100 million children living in the streets around the world.  Additionally, drug abuse is associated with poverty.

Sharing Web Resources!

The purpose of this website is to release information on the nationwide nonpartisan, nonprofit network called Voices for Children. This organization leads advocacy efforts at the community, state and federal levels to improve the lives of all children. The mission of this website educates public officials and the general public alike on issues that affect America’s children, especially those most vulnerable. Voices for Children are not a direct service group; they supplement the work of direct service groups that help children individually by impacting government policies and investments that help millions at a time.

This website is well planned out and easy to use. You would get comfortable at first hand. Entering the website you will see eight tabs across the top of the home page. On the home page you would see some important information on the screen. It is alright to click on any of the information to read about the organization. The first tab is the About tab. This tab allows you lean about the organization, and including letter from CEO, information on staff, annual report, and funding partners. Next, it is the Issues tab. This tab shows all the most important issues for children. The issues are: Equity and Diversity, Health, School Readiness, School Success, Safety, and Economic Stability. The following tab is Take Action. This tab allows you donate and/or get involved. Then, it is the Blog tab. The fifth tab is Member Organizations. This tab shows all networks available throughout the world. Next to that is the Media tab, which allows you access to any new releases from the organization. The sixth tab is the Research tab. Finally the last tab is the Make a Donation tab. These tabs will help you explore the information on this website.

The information on this website really shows how important education really is. So many people in this world are here trying to find a better education for future leaders. This information will help you understand why every voice for good education is very important. To gain a full understanding of this website is to start with the about tab. From there you should go in order. Each tab is very important, so take a look at them all.

There was so much important information that was cover on this website. There were three tabs that stood out to me they are Issues, Media, and Research tabs. The issues tab talks about six policy goals to advance in their vision. There are: Equity and Diversity, Health, School Readiness, School Success, Safety, and Economic Stability. As educators, we know these issues are throughout the world. Many parents and caregivers want so much for their children but do nothing about it. Instead of wanting they need to start demanding better issues for their children. So many children go lacking because of little help. The Media tab shows news releases, about voices, annual report and biography of CEO. The news releases bullet point show many articles that have been written about the organization. The articles shows how the organization strives to provide better education. The Research tab really shows how the whole organization is run. The articles written by staff and others are very informative. Reading those articles I got a better understanding on the purpose of Voices for Children.

As educator, this website shows my appreciation for early childhood. This website shows how important it is to stand for good education.

Website: http://www.voices.org/

Professional Contacts and Resources

I emailed two members of the Global Alliance NAEYC, I am waiting to hear from them soon. I know it will be a wonderful feedback.
Ghana, Africa
Rev Charles Arko-Nunoo
P.O. Box MK 157
Mankessim
C/R Ghana
Tel: + 233 42 34180
Email: 2kdotcom@ghana.com

Armenia, Asia
Step By Step Benevolent Foundation
Ruzanna Tsarukyan
Email: ruzanna@sbsbf.am

Center for the Child Care Workforcehttp://www.ccw.org/ 
(Newsletter: http://www.ccw.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=78&Itemid=72 )

National Black Child Development Institutehttp://nbcdi.org/
(Newsletter: http://nbcdi.org/support/sign-up-for-nbcdi-newsletters/ )

National Head Start Associationhttp://www.nhsa.org/  
(Newsletter: http://www.nhsa.org/news_and_advocacy/advocacy/legislative_eupdate )

 I found all of the newsletters and articles were grateful insights. On particular that caught my eye was the National Black Child Development Institute (http://nbcdi.org). I found very instresting. I really did not know this program exist. I am really amazed. this program belives that every child deserves a chance, and they are committed to uncovering every chance available to children. So  many children just need an extra push in their life. Thankfully this program is avaliable. There are so many great programs that help with the support of children and their families. I am glad to be apart of this great world.
 

My Supports

Throughout my life I had many people that were very supportive. I have learned to lean on the them when times were hard. There were so many times in my life when I felt like giving up; I could always count on my supports. My supports would often consist of my mother, father, gradmother, bestfriends, and close employees. Many of my supports often bring the benefit of being calm about any situation, and very understanding. They would often tell me to think twice about  any decisions I would make. I can thank them enough. Without the support from them I really do not think I would be the woman I am today. Because there were times when I wanted to quit school; but they motivated me to become an successful educator. If any of my supports were to leave I would often think back to many of the words of courgement.

 I can think back to about ten years ago, when my father died. I was only fourteen years old. When this sudden of death happen, I really did not know what to do or think. I wanted to give up on all dreams and hopes he had for me. He has always told me I would be a teacher to educate young minds. I love the idea of being a teacher, i thought it was fun teaching. But when he died, I wanted to change and not become a teacher. I statred acted out at school and home. I was trying my best to run from what he wanted me to do. Because I did not want to think about him or his plans. But I would often think about him; and decided one day to get my act together. I wanted to become a teacher and follow my dreams and his. So I work hard and became an educator. My father was a great supportive and I apprecited everything he done for me.

My Connections to Play

 ~All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy- an old poverb

~Play energizes us and enlivens us. It eases our burdens. It renews our natural sense of optimism and opens us up to new possibilities.-Stuart Brown, MD,Contemporary American psychiatrist

 

 There were many supports from my childhood. I had a father, mother, grandparents,aunts , uncles, and teachers. My mother and father always show me the support I needed to furhter my career. They always let me know I had a bright future ahead for me. I was always an eager child to accomplished all of my goals. My grandparents was like a backbone in growing up. Whenever I needed some words of wisdom, I would go to them for advice. My aunts and uncles were always there to spoiled me rotten. i ove all of the attention they were giving. I felt like a princess growing up and they always make sure I am okay. I had many teachers that would always show. So many of them went out their way to provide the support I needed when I lost my father. I would often look at them as an guardian. I appreicated everything everyone has done in life.

Play has change in any form. I believe today that so many children just leran differently. So many children are finding the wasy way out to pursuing in a good education. There are so many technology out there, that they do not need read books any more. I remember I had to often spend hours at the library. I enjoy the challenge.

Children learn as they play. Most importantly, in play children learn how to learn. Play is the optimum learning relationship for a child.  The best learners at whatever age or stage of development are those that are best prepared to handle change.As they explore their world, children's play presents them with the fundamental relationships with which they acquire the basic feelings, ideas and capacities to effectively absorb from and adapt to the ever-changing world around them for the rest of their lives

Relationship Reflection

Friendships can come and go, however, family is here for life. It is so important that a family maintain close relations. Most important the relationship that exists between parents and children.Parents need to spend as much time as possible with their children. Attending school events, watching TV together, and eating meals together. Dinner time at the table gives parents and children an opportunity for conversation and communication.

I am a type of person that have a close relationship with everyone in my family. My family is very important to me. I cherished every moment I have with them. I have a very close relationship with my sister. We can share and sercets and most memorable moments. My mother and I also have a close relationship. Sometimes I see my mother as a sister. We also have many memorable moments that we shared every time I see her. 

A positive relationship would be one where there can be honesty, caring, and communication with each other. Also there needs to be compromise on both sides. Always remember to hear the other person out as well. This goes for any relationship, whether it is a friendship, family, lover, etc... These are positive factors of relationship and partnerships.

There is evidence that relationships follow a developmental path. Understanding this will help in understanding challenges in relationships. Some people negotiate these stages relatively easily but the growing pains of any relationship can bring up traumatic issues for individuals.Each couple will find particular challenges depending on who they are, childhood issues and the circumstances of life that trigger responses to each other. Problems between couples arise when stages are skipped or there is a difficulty moving from one to the next.  Follow article for more information.http://www.aipc.net.au/articles/?p=253 

Some characteristics of relationship are :

Talking and acting so that your partner feels safe and comfortable doing and saying things

Listening to your partner non-judgmentally

Being emotionally affirming and understanding.

Valuing opinions.

Mutually agreeing on a fair distribution of work.

Making family decisions together

As an early childhood professor, I can use my effective knowldege about positive relationship and partnership with in the classroom. I can demonmstrate to my students and parents of all the positive poutcomes of producing them. They will see the great effect it has on people in their surroundings.