The Dream Continues - Enjoy the Journey

Many have asked since my article in The Shriver Report and a variety of exciting events, including getting into graduate school, if I was going to continue the blog I worked on in my undergrad at The University of Texas.  I had not really considered it; however,  I wanted to continue my platform to encourage others to pursue their dreams and especially women who desire and are in pursuit of an education. So, here goes. Enjoy the journey and encourage others to pursue their passion!

August 2014 brought me to Houston, Texas, much to my surprise and need I say, delight! I just wrapped up an adventurous, fun-filled and exciting foundation semester at the University of Houston GCSW. The past 6 months have been amazing and quite honestly, pretty shocking. I had not planned on a career in social work nor had I ever, no never, thought I would live in Houston. We make our plans but often what is best for us comes as a complete surprise. Fortunately the shock value here has been nothing but pleasant and exciting.

The GCSW at UH has been a place of encouragement, growth and continued development toward what one day will help me obtain my PHD. I have found this university and program to be a perfect fit for me and my goals. I have been consistently amazed with the support I received and the opportunities afforded. I jumped in with zeal and enthusiasm, getting involved with "Policy Insiders" which brings speakers to campus to draw attention to policies affecting all populations. It has been a great tool for my education as I learn the impact policy has, well, on everything! I also applied to be a GCSW Ambassador, mainly because I wanted others pursuing a social work education to evaluate the potential of the GCSW at UH.  Nor do I want others to diminish Houston, as I have found it holds such a beautiful diversity and character and opportunities. Being an Ambassador gives me a platform to discuss my experiences and education, while encouraging others to highly consider UH.

Last but not least, I have had an amazing experience the past four months with my cohort. I am surrounded by men and women who have encouraged, embraced and enlightened me in so many areas, from the LGBTQ community to cultural diversity. I would be lost without many of them and appreciate even those I have not completely connected the dots. I feel quite certain that I have made some life long friends

The most exciting recent event in the life of this graduate student is my recent invitation to attend the Clinton Global Initiative University in Miami in March, 2015. I wanted this more than I can even describe. There are no words..yes, there really are. With much irritation and annoyance from my family, I  ran around screaming "I'm going to Miami" until they threatened me with my life!   I am still reeling with excitement and disbelief. I, along with 2 of my fellow peers, drafted a proposal to create a health fair, which will impact the Houston community, those who have a lack of resources. Basic resources that many of us take for granted.  I wanted to go to Miami and yet, even in the midst of working on it, I  knew it was a long shot. Goes to show, what do I know about the possibilities and potential? What it once again reveals, if you want it, go for it - Reach for the moon…you may get the stars! Another goal I have had for the past few years is to find ways to engage others in giving back, serving their communities and especially engaging college students in service learning. This will be a wonderful opportunity to recruit other University of Houston students to help with our project. So excited!!!

Stay tuned…lots more great stuff to be birthed out of living my dream!

The Road to Grad School….

     I am filled with emotion as I have finished my last semester at The University of Texas at Austin. Bitter sweet that it is. This phase of my dream is over…I feel sad that life as I have known it on this campus will end and yet, I have this huge anticipation of what is to come. To truly begin to live out 'what happens here, changes the world."  I say that in complete belief that I, Greta, am going to impact this world in some small way.

     It isn't a coincidence that our keynote speaker for graduation was Admiral William McRaven,  #UTgrad. Commencement 2014: "The Eyes of Texas Will Always Be Upon You" http://ow.ly/x1UfQ
He came, delivered, and challenged each of us to make a difference in the lives of others. It can be done.

     So, here I go. Moving gradually into the next phase of this wonderful journey and continuing to live my dream. Hang on, hold on tight, grab your dreams, expectations and go there with me. What starts here, does change the world.

Progress: Derailment, Disappointment & Determination

      Sometimes progress, from the outside view, doesn't look as though it is occurring.  I think that pretty much sums up the Martin Middle School photojournalism project.  Our team has had its own hurdles to jump as we have conflicting schedules and unexpected events, which often interfere. We have all experienced frustration of  trying to coordinate times to gather to work on the project.  Just add the dynamics of a school to that - rules, regulations, testing, and miscommunication among the staff.

      BUT, today was the day that we were going to meet with the kids, get their cameras, and talk about the pictures they took.  The best laid plans of men, or in this case, women!  We arrived at the school anticipating a wonderful day!   We knew going in that our regular contact person was out, but had made arrangements for us to meet the academic advisor.  We checked in and headed to the library to meet her and the kids.  We sat and sat.  Finally, after 45 minutes, she arrived and we chatted about our needs/plans with the kids.  The kids came in....no cameras..well, one young man had remembered his cameras.  The other girls had not received the cameras and two of the other kids had left theirs at home.

      So, derailment followed by discouragement followed by despair.  Not really, but it could have been that way.  I dug to the depth of my positive thinking today and reminisced, once again, about how we learn the most in the difficult things.  As frustrating as it is spending so much time on something that never seems to come to fruition, it isn't a life or death situation.  One would only hope this is the worse thing in life they have to face.

      I am reminded that we desire to produce a piece of work for the school and to have something for them; however, it is quite possible that won't happen.  What will happen though is five women will learn more about themselves, developing a project, working with others and the challenging experiences we encountered.  What has struck me over the past few months has been the disjointed and disconnected communication.  It is interesting how you can develop relationships with people in a community and yet when the players change, often you have to go back to the beginning.  I fee this has been a significant challenge in our semester at Martin.  The players have changed and we move forward rebuilding and gaining ground.  What will that look like in terms of a photojournalism project? I am unsure.  For me, it is a reminder that we can plan but we have to be sensitive to remind ourselves that we are not in control.

   

      The most difficult part of today was not about the kids not remembering to bring their cameras; it was about one camera we had to give and two girls who needed cameras.  Trying to make that decision was excruciating.  The teacher finally chose a number and one of the girls walked away with a camera.  Truly, it broke my heart.  We will bring her a camera on Monday but it made me think about exclusion and how it happens in the most subtle ways.  And then it happens in bigger ways and impacts the lives of children, families, and neighborhoods. We fight for the rights of others, battling against oppression and then in an instant, you can become the oppressor.  It is really scary when you consider how easily this can happen.  Lessons learned.

Project: Bumps in the Road

      After months of developing relationships, making phone calls and writing emails, it appeared that we were finally experiencing a breakthrough with continuing the oral history/photo journalism project.  I could hardly believe it. All of the work and hope we had put into this oral history/photojournalism project and it was finally happening!  So much excitement~

      Kasey, Alex, and I spent our class time preparing the cameras and a scavenger hunt for the kids.  We wanted to provide direction for them as they took pictures but also make it fun.  It needed to appear less like homework and something exciting that they would want to be involved in.  With that complete, we were ready to meet the kids.  Materials prepared, packed and ready to go, it was time to meet the kids.

      Martin Middle School is probably not unique and may possibly be like most middle schools; however, upon arriving, it can at times feel more like entering a prison.  Gaining access to the kids, easier said than done.  Every door is locked and tightly secure.  You ring the bell, explain to the secretary why you are there and who you want to see.  So different from my experience as a child and as a mother.  Upon entering, the school has this sweet spirit and yet, police presence, chaos in the halls, laughter, pushing, and teachers talking loudly over the noise of children's chatter.

      Meeting with the kids: some of them are excited, inquisitive and curious about the project.  They are eager to get started and then there are those that well, quite frankly, are not that interested. We give them options to do the project or decline.  It doesn't  work to have kids doing something that doesn't interest them.  For those who stayed, out of 20 kids, we ended up with around seven to ten.  A few were on the fence but took the cameras and said they would think about it.  For those who remained, tons of questions, discussion on what they were going to take pictures of, and this enthusiasm to be a part of something that lasts.  It was encouraging and hopefully their excitement will be contagious!

     As I left the school that day, I thought about the next two years.  I will be in grad school somewhere and I can only hope that others will come along through PROJECT and the Longhorn Center for Community Engagement to work with these kids, to be a part of their lives, and to model longevity, sustainability, and commitment.  

     This is where each individual can do their part and hopefully inspire others to do what they can, to make a difference in the lives of a community, in particular, the children.  We have no idea when we begin something the impact that it can have on others.  I hope this will be a project that will impact these kids lives in the years to come.  What starts here truly can change the world......

   

Gentrification: Across the Globe, Austin and the UT Community

      Seeing the communities of Mueller, Holly and Marlo Heights in person, you can see the similarities, differences, and possibly what is in store for the future.  The three communities share rebuilding, growth and positive and negative change.  It is, in many ways, ones perspective.  For me, Mueller seemed so sterile and boring.  Everything looks the same, so perfect, unlike who we are as individuals, unique and wonderful.  Supposedly an affordable community, but you have to wonder if it is affordable for the people who are former residents.  Affordable is a relative term.  Is the average cost of housing in Mueller affordable to everyone?  Certainly not.

      From all appearances, it would seem that Marlo Heights is undergoing changes but maybe in a less obtrusive way.  The new housing is apparent and seems to blend in and not stand out as much as Mueller; however, it is still happening.  Change, regardless of how you view it, is occurring.

      Holly Street appears to be in the early stages of gentrification.  The new homes are large and most of them don't fit in with the older architecture.  The massive home size is offensive and overbearing.  The average price of a home in the Holly Neighborhood in 2010 was $192,000.00.  The new homes in Holly today are selling for upwards of $300,000. - $400,000.00.  It is hard to imagine the current residents will be able pay the taxes as their home values increase.

     With the exception of Mueller, the neighborhoods are in a food desert.  The convenience and affordability of healthy options are scarce.  In reality, there are minimal options for grocery shopping.  As we see new development, will it include accessible, affordable food options for those individuals who are on a fixed or limited income.

      Looking across the globe, the community in Johannesburg appears to be thriving and you see growth, development, affordable housing, and yet, as the author says the area is being gentrified but shows drastically different versions of "normal" coexisting within blocks of each other.  Therein, I believe, is the greater problem.  How do we clean up crime, beautify an area, provide adequate housing that is affordable to an already struggling people, and not isolate ourselves from others?

     I believe the University of Texas can have an impact in these communities.  The first step, as we know, is relationship building.  We have an opportunity to get into the minds and hearts of Holly, Marlo, and Colony Park.  Talk to the residents, show an interest in their well-being, ask questions, listen to their answers, show concern, and be flexible.  As relationships are built and understanding on both parts is evident, then we can have a positive impact.

     The involvement of the university can go beyond that.  We have a group of bright, diverse students within the walls of UT.  Send them into the schools to mentor, to show others what can be achieved, let them use their interests to train and equip others and let them be a role model for children and adults.  Help them grow gardens, provide transportation, and be the hands and feet they need to have their world, as they describe needs, blossom.   We also have a great resource with the Conflict Mediation Center.  Use them as facilitators as developers and community leaders sit down to articulate the differences in needs, wants and desires.

     PROJECT 2014 has a great opportunity ahead to help the neighborhood. We can demonstrate who we are through clean-up, beautifying and getting to know the but mainly through listening to what they see as needs.  Let's take this opportunity to show them we care and are concerned about them!  I am convinced we can have a sustainable program by working along side Holly Street residents.   Because what starts here really can change the world....



 

Gentrification

       Gentrification....a touchy subject, a controversial topic, progression or regression. It all boils down to your viewpoints and philosophy and money!  As uncomfortable as it may be to pull back the layers and take a peek, it is necessary.  It is something that is taking place, not just in Austin, but all over the United States.

       It sounds marvelous when you first look at gentrification.  How can you argue with cleaning up a neighborhood, eliminating crime and bring an influx of new inhabitants.  It sounds perfectly palatable and desirable.  For those who have called the neighborhood home, it is not that simple.  It fact, it is far more complex.  As we look deeper into the meaning and impact of gentrification, we have to be willing to discuss the uncomfortable aspects.  Not everyone wins with gentrification.

     More often than not it is the current residents and especially the renters who are most affected by the cleaning up of a neighborhood.  All of a sudden, prices are skyrocketing and tenants are forced to leave the comfort of their environment and quite often, move to the suburbs.  Austin has a large population of renters and quite frankly, this attempt to revitalize the hoods, often leads to unaffordable housing for students, young professionals, and already struggling families.

     We have to address the problems encountered by the elderly as they are forced from their lifelong homes and neighborhoods.  No longer having affordable housing in their lifelong neighborhood,  they are removed to the suburbs or other areas.  These areas are often prohibitive to the life of an elder person.  All of a sudden they find themselves without easy access to grocery stores and other crucial staples to maintain their lives.

      Developers. Are they evil or just unaware?  I am sure both holds true in the area of gentrification. Greed can be a driving force in the topic of gentrification.  A developer can see a wonderful opportunity to clean up a neighborhood yet not consider the entire impact on the families who have called that house or neighborhood home.  In the interest of ignorance, we can say they are truly unaware of the problems they are creating; however, some do not care.  When asked what will happen to current residents, many developers say, I don't know.  You have to wonder if they really care.

     It is so important for developers to  consider, just as we consider the communities we work with and their needs, what is best for a community and how to provide a clean, safe, and crime free environment without jeopardizing the needs of the residents.  It is essential for developers and community to work hand in hand as they create living spaces and beautification of neighborhoods.

We can each take what we know about gentrification - the beauty and the beast - share with others and help them understand the complexities.

   

 

The Conceptual Map

     In the book,  Beginner's Guide to Community-Based Arts,  the CRAFT model is thought of as a conceptual map.  It appears that following the map will hopefully get you to your final destination and one would hope that you don't have too many detours along the way.  I see this project as a journey and although I have had a couple of detours,  what some might consider road closures, I am thrilled with  the learning process.

The CRAFT model:

CONTACT:    I started this process last semester as I engaged in forming relationships with staff and faculty at Martin Middle School.  By the end of the spring semester I felt connected and hopeful we were all on the same page.  It had been worth the endeavor and extra time to earn the trust of the people at Martin.  I was looking forward to starting the oral history project for Martin this fall.  Needless to say, I had no idea that two key staff members were about to exit and contact would need to be established again.  It is yet to be proven if those replacements will desire an oral history project for Martin.  I am hopeful they will; however, it is quite possible that they see the needs for the school differently.  So, I guess this is a temporary detour along the path!  Life..it doesn't always go as planned....minor derailments often occur! It is important to not get discouraged and realize, once again, this is about the relationships and the needs of the school...not me!

RESEARCH:  This is where we are with our project today.  The amount of behind the scenes work that goes into developing an oral history or photo journalism project.  Do we understand what photo journalism and oral history look like?  We can gain knowledge about these types of project by researching what they are, what they look like, and where to go for help.  Our team is currently trying to watch other oral history projects, developing questions for our contacts, and gathering information on photojournalism.  We have to continue to search for information on the community and the school so we understand the history of Holly Street and Martin.

ACTION:  We are not here yet.  Hopefully we will have a portion of an oral history or photojournalism project ready for the school.  The goal is to have something that benefits the people of Martin and Holly Street.

FEEDBACK:  A necessary component of any work or project.  I look forward to having something developed for the school that they can be excited about and spread the word about the project and the history of their school.

TEACHING:  Sustainability. I hope this project will continue to spark passion and excitement from the students, families and staff at Martin.  Equally important, I hope the students that continue to be involved in global project will want to be involved and continue to support Martin Middle School in their desire for an oral history.

I am looking forward to this journey and thankful for the CRAFT map!