Laurita Dianita

I cannot begin to explain how good it feels to be done with this. Why?

1.) The guilt of not having finished it is lifted

2.) I can take it off of my to-do list and begin the next items, like starting to sub for the Anchorage School District

3.) I can help Oscar pack up his house tonight

4.) IT IS IMPORTANT and this work deserves to be funded. I can’t wait to talk to Representative Max Gruenberg and Senator Bill Wielechowski about it tomorrow night. They are passionate about Mountain View and I know they will appreciate such a thorough report of the voices of Mountain View residents, their insights and suggestions for the community, and the plans of Anchorage United for Youth’s service providers and juvenile justice experts.

I believe if we continue to listen, continue to stay engaged with community leaders and volunteers and teens, continue to coordinate amongst agencies and truly take these suggestions to heart (e.g. using bilingual and bi-cultural navigators, interpreters and translated forms; doing multilingual outreach in the community; providing meaningful opportunities for youth; and training service providers in cross-cultural communication, humility, efficiency, collaboration and a stengths-based approach, WE WILL REVOLUTIONIZE the way things are done around here.

And we need this. Too many kids, too many families, and esp. kids and families of color, are not being served well by our social service and justice systems. I am excited to see this changing. I am hopeful.

And I am relieved to have finished this step in the task. Also happy to share the research results and program ideas with anyone–just ask!

I am so proud of the Photovoice kids, proud of the confidence and intimacy with which they spoke to people about their photographs during the exhibition on Friday night. My mom told me afterwards, “Laura, they were so comfortable speaking with adults and representing themselves. You two should be proud of having prepared them so well.” The 6 young artists spoke about depression, neighborhood stereotypes, alcoholism, and self-confidence. They spoke to artists, parents, teachers, social service providers, native corporation administrators, legislators, and assembly members. They got us two more show offers and a follow-up news article in which Denisha Crowe is going to play a pivotal role and may write something. Crystal Luddington, our up-and-coming community organizer then called everyone afterwards to arrange our next meeting. So proud.

Autumn Meloy spent Friday all in a dither about Julia O’Malley’s article in the Anchorage Daily News that featured her, mixing up her pride with her embarrassment and back and forth. The kids were excited to find out that all of their photos are up on adn.com. Oscar and I were too exhausted and pulled in too many directions during the exhibit to soak in how big this was, but many e-mails have been sent to us since to remind us. Afterwards we laid down exhausted and congratulated one another.  We are a good team.

(BTW, on Oscar’s blog he describes his own pride and excitement and posts the Alaska Teen Media Institute radio story about Photovoice: www.okiave.info).

Thanks, Charles Tice, for the photos:

(Left)

Chester discussing his photos with youth social worker Joe Francisco, medical file clerk & photographer Dexter, & Chester’s sister while Becky Judd of Anchorage United for Youth & friend visit.

(Right)

Northeast Anchorage Representative Pete Petersen and another visitor looking at Edward’s images

This Friday, December 4th, from 5:30 – 8:30 pm @ Kaladi Bros. downtown (6th & G) w/ appetizers from Gallo’s….

the 6 teenagers who stuck with this program form its beginning on August 3rd until now, the 6 teenagers who poured their hearts and creativity into their photography and into their analyses of community and personal issues, the 6 teenagers who came Saturday morning after Saturday morning this fall for planning meetings, these 6 will be presenting their photos. They will be sharing their art, their narratives, their world views, their burgeoning social consciousness with Anchorage. Their photographs address issues ranging from the kinds of emotional support and listening teens need from the adults in their lives to gang and tenant issues, from Mt. View’s reputation and the transience in the neighborhood to alcohol abuse. They aim to speak to funders and policy makers about the need for youth programs such as Photovoice. They aim to speak to social service providers, teachers, and parents about what they as young people need from adults. They aim to debunk myths about Mt. View and humanize its residents.

Oscar and I have worked with these kids for 4 months now. We love them, are proud of them, get frustrated with them and push them to do better, and ask you to come listen to them.

*This is an Anchorage United for Youth (AUY) project, connected to the larger AUY goals to increase graduation rates, decrease youth substance abuse, and decrease delinquency.*