It has been a journey since my first day at My Project USA. I have had a wonderful experience and learned so much about this organization over the past five weeks. I have learned the importance of communication, teamwork, and the delegation of roles. I also understand the importance of relationships in the community. We have created a network of individuals who are advocating and building a better future for our youth. Without these individuals, we could not have as big of an impact.

On Monday, we had a staff meeting that helped all summer employees understand the progress we have made with the students. We talked about the strengths and weaknesses of the program, gave praise to employees and teams, and also made suggestions for the future. One important asset we found was the social-emotional growth within the students. We saw a dramatic change in the students’ attitudes towards adults and their peers. With positive reinforcement, appropriate language, and modeling, we were able to remind the students what a positive environment looks like. We used phrases such as “Remember to be in control of your body’” and “Show respect for yourself and others” to give them a choice to do the right thing. They gradually understood that they can be in control of their behavior. I am proud of them for working out their problems, developing teamwork skills, and creating a climate that we can all benefit from.

Our team does an excellent job giving feedback so we can make improvements when needed. We had an open conversation with each other that helps us look at areas we need to improve and areas in which we are excelling. Our goals are to have clear communication with each other, be adaptable, and continue to build relationships with the students. When we are successful with these goals, we will be able to have a larger influence on the community. As an organization, we hope to be a safe haven for people in the community on the west side of Columbus, Ohio.

Although I did not mention it in previous blogs, there was a great achievement with the soccer team. A week ago, they went to Kentucky for a soccer tournament and won. Our soccer coaches worked hard to train the students, and this challenging work paid off. They represented Columbus, Ohio very well and were praised by other teams for their teamwork, agility, and spirit. I am proud of the soccer team because they earned their spot as champions of the tournament. They also worked hard academically so they could go to soccer practice and play. The partnership between the summer program and the soccer team created a space where the students can flourish while also having fun. We receive praise and gratitude from our high schoolers for creating an environment where they feel welcome.