Justice For Children Internship SERVICE LO6

December 2018: 7 Hours

On December 3rd and 10th 2018 I attended my internship with Justice For Children. I am currently reviewing a case where the alleged perpetrator has committed many crimes including physical and emotional child abuse. However, the local police department had remained unresponsive to the contact's attempts for an investigation to be conducted. In my opinion, this is either occurring because the police department is unfamiliar with how to handle a case on such a large magnitude, or due to the department's biases regarding the mother of the contact (who has denounced the police department through Facebook). Overall, the direness of this case is unquestionable, as there is evidence for the alleged perpetrator being responsible for: child abuse; obtaining steroids illegally; local organized crime; theft; domestic violence; death threats; the possession of firearm (which is illegal as the individual has past convictions); and the violation of a protection order (which is meant to keep the individual distant from the children). After reading documentation which supports the fact that the contact, the children, and other members of their city may be in danger due to the individuals past actions and current mental instability, the work that JFC seems more important and necessary. A solution that I came up with and suggested to the advocate handling this case was for JFC to collaborate with Texas Rangers Law Enforcement, so that the local police department could be pressured into opening an investigation. This case had taught me about how ineffective and unrighteous some police departments can behave, and I believe that the particular police department in this case should be held accountable in some way. I have fulfilled the service aspect of CAS and the following learning outcome: Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance. (Below is a photograph of me and two of the other advocates).

Playing Football With Friends ACTION LO5

19 November 2018: 1 Hour

Today during open work time at school, I spent time throwing and catching a football with Cassandra, Julian, North, and Brandon. After spending our whole mornings inside, it was mood-lifintg to spend some time outside as well. By doing this I believe that I have fulfilled the action aspect of CAS, and the following learning outcome: Demonstrate skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively.

Justice For Children Internship SERVICE LO6

5 November 2018: 4 Hours
Today I finished reviewing the Child and Youth Services reports for the case which I had begun to look over on the twenty second of October. Through these reports, I was given first hans insight into the opinions and beliefs of the child being abused (as I was given the opportunity to review the transcript). I found this interesting as the child seemed aware of the situation that she was in, and was able to deduce some of the reasons why her mother acted toward her in a neglectful manner. For starters she stated that her mother would often seek support from her (the abused child) by discussing the stressors in her life, however, responded passively and indifferently to the results of psychological evaluations which had diagnosed the child with various emotional and mental health disorders. Additionally, the mother of the child would often leave her in their apartment for hours alone or overnight. Further, she is reluctant to provide proper medical examinations and check-ups for the child. Today, I believe that I have fulfilled the service aspect of CAS and the following learning outcome: Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance.

30 DAY CAS PROJECT London A-Term Itinerary Planning CREATIVITY LO3

5 November 2018: 5 Hours

This weekend I spend time on Friday, Saturday and Sunday solidifying and rechecking our budget, as well as piecing together the itinerary for the London A-Term trip. This required searching the locations of each of the landmarks we are planning to visit in order to obtain a clear idea of how long each activity would take (taking transportation into account). Additionally, I needed to ensure that we had fulfilled any outside preparations that needed to be made for visiting some of the landmarks such as purchasing tickets ( not covered for some places by our London passes). Overall, it is exiting to see this trip become closer and closer to reality, and I am hopeful that we will be able to throughly prepare for the trip to ensure it's success. Through my predatory work for this A-term, I believe that I have fulfilled the creativity aspect of CAS, and the following learning outcome: Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience. 

Graphic Design at Justice For Children Internship SERVICE LO6

October 29, 2018 4 Hours
Today I worked as a graphic designer by personalizing a template on powerpoint which will be sent as a bulk email to encourage people to support the mission of Justice For Children through donations. This required creativity as this task required me to decide how to present information in the most optimal aesthetic format. Additionally, I read through and analyzed psychologist evaluations of a child who is being abused by her mother (from the case which I was working on last week). I felt impressed and amazed with the ability for the psychologist to empathize, comprehend, and express the emotions, characteristics, and struggles associated with the girl being abused. The phycologist was able to draw detailed conclusions regarding the needs and feeling of the child based on the child's background story, her behavior, and her disclosures. It was intriguing to read many of the psychological reports because the helped me to further understand the results of the abuse in terms of what the girl being abused is enduring internally and how people should alternatively be treating her to support her mental well-being and her ability to acknowledge her own self worth. I believe have fulfilled the service aspect of CAS, and the following learning outcome: Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance.

30 DAY CAS PROJECT London A-Term Planning Meeting CREATIVITY LO3

26 October 2018: 30 Minutes

In preparation for meeting with the participants of the London A-term to begin the planning process, I have created several documents to serve as a guide for my team members. First of all, I thought through everything that would eventually need to be accomplished in order to make this trip successful, and developed a list of all of the planning jobs which can be distributed. I also provided description of what each job was responsible for on the spreadsheet. Next, I created a spreadsheet for the budget which I shared with everyone and organized it so that all that was required for each group was to enter any information they found portioning to the budget. Lastly, I created a document and wrote out an outline of everything that we should discuss during the meeting, as well as many important reminders. Overall, feel proud of the initiative which I have been taking in order to keep everyone on track, and I am determined to make this trip a fulfilling and identity shaping experience fro everyone on it. At the same time, however, I definitely feel the weight associated with the magnitude of this trip, and the fact that were are working in what seems to be uncharted waters. Although we are undertaking such a large challenge, I believe that all of our work will certainly be worth it. I believe that I have fulfilled the creativity aspect of CAS and the following learning outcome: Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience.

Justice For Children Internship SERVICE LO6

October 22, 2018:  2 Hours

Today at my internship with Justice For Children, I was given a new case file to review on behalf of  Tracey (one of the advocates). This case file focused on a thirteen year old female being neglected by her mother (who holds primary custody). The girl is not receiving food or money to purchase lunch during the school day. Additionally, her mother is not referring the child to therapy, and is not providing proper access to medical examinations (which were both ordered by court). This could be endangering to the child as she had been diagnosed with a bold condition called anemia, and this should require treatment to prevent weariness. When at her mother's house, the girl has been whipped with a belt and is left in her mother's apartment alone on the weekends for long periods of time. Also, she endures the trauma of watching her mother and mother's boyfriend act violently towards each other when they argue. As a consequence, the girl is experiencing depression, which has caused her engage in self harm. In terms of my personal reflections, I feel that the girl's age and situation puts her in a uniquely vulnerable state. This is because most people begin to develop a more complex identity, as well as many strong opinions about the world when they are around the age of thirteen. Due to this, it is definitely possible that the abuse she has experienced could end up effecting her mental soundness in the long term. I am hopeful that the notes which I am taking will result in Justice For Children sending a letter to the judge and the attorney involved (as the girl's father is currently attempting to obtain primary custody). I believe that I have fulfilled the service aspect of CAS and the following learning outcome: Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance.

Photography Club Activities CREATIVITY LO2

October 18, 2018
Today in photography club we spent time in small groups learning about and experimenting with the long exposure setting on cameras. We went into the bathroom, to block out the light, and used a flashlights to create patterns such as figure eights and angel wings. It was a worthwhile experience to experiment with a new medium of photography as skills associated with learning something unfamiliar can be applied to aspects of life aside from art or photography. This activity fulfills the creativity aspect of CAS and I believed that I fulfilled the following learning outcome: Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process.

Justice For Children Internship SERVICE LO4

1 October 2018: 2.5 Hours

Today I continued to review documentation for the case I worked on last week. This time, I examined the witness statements and other exhibits used in one of the contact's past court cases. This was interesting, I was given the opportunity to have insight into the opinions and memories of a variety of people involved. It is similar to reading a novel and having the many detailed aspects of the plot slowly fall into place. After spending so much time familiarizing myself with this case, I feel more connected to it, and I become more determined to do everything I can to improve the current situations of the young girls being abused. I have not finished looking at all of the documentation for this case file, so I plan to continue next week. For this entry, I feel that I have accomplished the service aspect of CAS, and the following learning outcome: Shown commitment to and perseverance to CAS experiences.

Justice For Children Internship SERVICE LO4

September 24, 2018: 4 Hours:

Today I helped Tracy, a child advocate for Justice For Children, by reviewing a compilation of therapist's notes, and documenting what excerpts could be used as evidence in a letter to the judge. The therapist's evaluations were in regards to disclosures made by two young sisters who are being sexually and physically abused by their father and step-brother. Although the therapist had previously contacted Child Protective Services (as she is legally obligated), the case remains open, and the girls continue to visit their father's house regularly. By reading over the notes of the therapist, it was evident that she deeply cares about both the girl's physical and mental well-being. She had the girls draw several pictures to explain their emotions, and took the time to hand document everything that occurred each time she meet with the girls. I feel that therapists and other social workers are not often given the credit which they deserve, and I can only imagine that working as a therapist takes great patience, care, and compassion. The notes that this therapist took will hopefully allow Justice For Children to work towards suspending the fathers visitation rights. For this entry, I feel that I have fulfilled the service aspect of CAS and the following learning outcome: Shown commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences, as I am consistently showing up to intern with Justice For Children every Monday from 12:30pm-4:30pm.

30 DAY CAS PROJECT London A-Term Proposal CREATIVITY LO5

September 21, 2018: 10 Hours
Over the course of the past two weeks, I have worked collaboratively with Morgann, Cassandra, Carly, and North to develop a detailed and well researched J-Term proposal for a trip to London, England. We have worked creatively to compile a list of meaningful and educational locations to visit, and have worked hard to piece together a list of learning objectives, a solid itinerary, and an efficient budget. We deeply hope that the thoroughness of our proposal and potential for students to become more historically, politically, geographically, and culturally aware will allow for our J-Term to be approved. After working with such a passionate and creative group of people, planning the logistics of this trip has truly been such an educational, exiting, and fulfilling experience. Additionally, living in London for a year and a half has allowed me to grow so much as a person, and it is my goal to allow for others to have the same (accelerated) experience through this possible J-Term. For this entry I believe that I have fulfilled the creativity aspect of CAS, and the following learning objective: Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively.

Justice For Children Internship SERVICE LO1

September 17, 2018: 4 Hours 
Today I completed my notes for the case file I began reviewing last week, and I was able to identify contacts who could possibly provide statements to be used as creditable documentation in a letter to the judge. After interning for Justice for Children for a few months, I have learned that obtaining statements from a variety of different sources is crucial. This is because most judges will not acknowledge the statements of a single party to be valid without further documentation or other statements back them up. After reading through many court hearing documents and taking notes, I have also suggested that JFC request statements from the child's current therapist, the social worker for who interviewed the child, and the law enforcement officers who initiated interviews on the child, the contact, and the alleged perpetrator. After finishing the notes, I helped the COO of Justice For Children, Lisa Mikosh, by formatting a revised version of the intake form so that it can be posted on the website and filled out by those in need. This was a challenge for me as I was required to spend time learning and some of the more hidden functions of Microsoft word. Until today, I had no idea how to insert fillable check-boxes and other small features into a word document. Overall, today was a productive day, and I feel that I was able to effectively help JFC, and I developed a new skill. For this entry, I have fulfilled the Service aspect of CAS, and I have achieved the following learning outcome: Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process. 

Justice For Children Internship SERVICE LO7

September 12, 2018: 1 Hour 

Today I started to review and take notes regarding the documentation attached with an intake form for a sexual abuse case. I began with reading the notes that Angela (a child advocate) had taken from a phone call, and I searched a few court hearing forms for references to possibly useful documentation. By getting the opportunity to review case files, I feel that my strong attentiveness to detail is being well utilized, and although I have lead a privileged life, I am able to use the provided information to imagine a child's situation, and empathize enough with them to know that they should be entitled to my effort and help. For this entry I believe that I have fulfilled the Service aspect of CAS and have achieved the following learning outcome: Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions. 

Justice For Children Internship SERVICE LO6

September 5, 2018: 1 Hour
Today I assisted Angela, a child advocate for Justice For Children by listening to one of her intake calls, and taking notes on her behalf. Over the phone, the contact expressed that her grandsons have been tased and held at gunpoint by their mother. My hand was shacking while taking notes during this call, and I franticly began to think through possible solutions. Considering the utter direness of the case, I found it surprising that none of the grandmother's actions have led to an effective result. Despite the grandmother's several attempts to reach out for help through several outlets including Child Protective Services and Law Enforcement, the mother still holds primary custody, and the grandmother's documentation and statements have been discredited as she is a third party. I am hopeful that we will be able to obtain a more complete and detailed version of her story, so that we can figure out why she has run into so many roadblocks. The next step will be finding a pro bono attorney willing to represent the grandmother, and a possible homeless shelter which the boys can resort to for now. For this entry I believe that I have fulfilled the Service aspect of CAS, and I have achieved the following learning outcome: Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance.