By Reggie Mays Jr., program coordinator
In Character Education, we push our young men to be positive, active members of their communities.
This past week, our theme was “Neighborhood + Me,” and we explored our students’ definitions of “neighborhood” and the roles they play in the many communities they belong to.
At first, their understanding of neighborhood and community was very narrow. They talked about their boroughs, blocks and avenues. A more in-depth discussion led them to recognize the many communities they participate in every day, including school, our Foundation, churches and sports teams. We also talked about belonging to larger communities, including New York City and the United States.
We split into groups and went on a “ghost walk” to explore the nuances of their school’s neighborhood. The groups went in different directions and took detailed notes about what they observed. They noticed attention-grabbing signs and paintings, as well as less obvious items that still served important functions.
After the walk, they shared their findings. Many talked about street art, abandoned lots, traffic control boxes and “No Trespassing” signs that they had never noticed before even though they pass them every day on their way to and from school. This was an important exercise because they saw how vital it is to be aware of your community.
Building on this knowledge of their varied neighborhoods and communities, and how they fit into them, will help empower our young men to become agents of change.
Some neighborhood scenes, courtesy of After School Program Leader Adrian Fontenette, are below.
