As we make our way into a new year, I am thinking about what was accomplished in 2011 and what is hoped to be accomplished in 2012. I think of these achievements and goals both personally and professionally. I'm sure many of you do, as well. While I wish I could have done more last year, there is no time to dwell on what woulda, coulda, shoulda been. There is only time to focus on what might be in the new year.
So, with that in mind, here are some of my goals for 2012:
- Keep the YDTI website updated with current local and national news and events
- Continue to coordinate and provide high quality training for youth workers in Onondaga County (and surrounding counties when feasible)
- Collaborate more with organizations throughout Onondaga County to share information and resources. In these times of dwindling funds, we need to look for new ways to work together to accomplish our individual and agency goals.
- Walk/ride to work more frequently to reduce my carbon footprint and get into better shape
- Be more organized!
I hope you've been able to find some time to think about what you did in 2011 and celebrate your accomplishments. I also hope you've had a chance to think about what you can accomplish in 2012 with the help of the Syracuse/Onondaga County Youth Bureau, the Youth Development Training Institute and all of the other youth serving organizations in our community that share your desire to improve the lives of our youth.
"Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” ~ Maria Robinson
Happy New Year, Everyone!
Marnie
Youth Bureau News
Once again, the Syracuse/Onondaga County Youth Bureau is gearing up for lots of professional development opportunities for youth workers at all levels and in all youth settings at no cost to you!
Our first Free & Practical Workshop of the year will be held in February and will focus on taking care of YOU! Every day you work with youth that have experienced trauma, are at risk for serious problems, or just need an adult to pay attention and listen to them. This can be exhausting work! Couple that with reduced budgets and youth workers being asked to "do more with less", and the stress can really be overwhelming. Join us for a couple of hours next month to find out how to effectively deal with the stress. The first hour will provide strategies for meditation, reflection and just being mindful of your own needs. The remainder of the workshop will focus on using yoga as a way to reduce stress and feel better. While this workshop is designed for adults, there will be information provided that you can take back to your programs and implement with the young people you work with.
We are also continuing our Youth Work Methods monthly workshops. These 2.25 hour workshops were designed by the David P. Weikart Center in Michigan for front line youth workers, and are held on the last Friday of the month (except July, August and December). The first workshop of 2012 will be held January 25 from 9:30 to 11:45 at XXXXX. The topic will be Cooperative Learning. Location to be announced.
More details will be available soon, so keep checking this website for more information.
The Central New York Out of School Time Network now meets during the Youth Development Morning Movement meetings on the last Thursday of every other month. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, January 26 at Childrens Consortium, 2122 Erie Boulevard East in Syracuse. The focus of the meeting will be diversity.
The CNY Out of School Time Network is always looking for new members. Membership is free. For more information, please click on the CNYOSTN button on the left of this page or contact Marnie Annese at mannese@ongov.net or 315-435-2362.
News from around the County