http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/douglascarswellmp/100249159/the-web-is-bringing-society-together-not-tearing-it-apart/

The Internet will always be a debate topic does it bring people together, or pull us further apart. There is never going to be an answer to this, those who want to use the Internet to connect and as a resource will continue to gain what they feel are positive experiences. Those who think the Internet is shoving opinions down our throats and turning humans into robots who stare at a screen are only going to see the negative aspects of the internet.
I think it works both ways I have my days that I hate the computer and the internet because a quick check of my email turns into 2 hours on facebook, instagram, then pinterest because someone posted a cool craft picture that I "liked" and that reminded me of the project I want to do. Then I look at the fact that my best friends live in Iceland and I can stay connected to them with all of these resources on a daily almost minute-by-minute basis as if I see them everyday. Point being the Internet has the potential to open a lot of doors for people but can also shut a few too.

http://citypaper.net/article.php?Army-of-volunteers-helps-reopen-shuttered-school-libraries-16830

This touches on the importance of volunteering, also in a school in Philadelphia. Not having a working library was a larger issue to me. Having volunteers coming in to set up and donate books is important but I hope they can use them to run and maintain the library as well. I couldn't imagine sending my child to a school that didn't have a school library.

I chose this article because it shows how important it is to be a mentor and to be involved in youth's lives.
http://www.mercedsunstar.com/2013/11/21/3348924/mentors-help-tenaya-middle-school.html

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/Nov/15/tp-next-mayor-must-unleash-power-of-civic/?#article-copy
Even though this is in San Diego I really like reading this because it covers what we have been learning so far in this class. There is a disconnect between the common citizen and the government there needs to be a voice that can be heard in between representing the communities and their issues, and that will get community members involved again.

http://mathewscenter.org/2013/11/07/students-institute-2013/

Students' Institute 2013

My reflection was based on that I felt parents and schools were not holding their kids accountable to get involved in the community. I like this article because it was about kids who were getting involved in civic engagement projects and getting their community involved and educated as well.

http://www.chicagoareaproject.org/news/eleven-youth-run-programs-receive-grants-chicago-area-project%E2%80%99s-youth-resources

I picked this article because it touches on 11 youth run programs and what those programs do. The grants received are specifically for organizations that work with youth as leaders. It's important to let youth have a voice i don't think they are given enough credit.

Post for session 7 topics( techinical difficulties last week)
I picked this because it touches on a small church helping the community and showing those who may have a negative view of Baptist churches that not all are the same. Some are out there doing good, not just protesting and stirring up trouble.

http://www.theledger.com/article/20130611/news/306115045

http://www.massteenpregnancy.org/events/teen-parent-lobby-day

Teen Parent Lobby Day is a central piece of the Alliance's work in bringing together teen parents, their children and their supporters to the State House in Boston to advocate for young parent programs. The past 2013 even brought 700 attendees. This day provides teen parents the ability to sit down with legislators and to be able to speak to them about what more could be done to help them or what is going well. This event even provides an excused absence letter for these youth so they do not need to worry about missing school. Along with just bringing together a large group of people who understand what you are going through and support you. It teaches the young parents that they have a voice.

I really like the Better Together reading using art to get a message out it is creative and I think touches people. I found this article/blog it is from 2011 but I also added a link to what the organization is doing now. Using Dance to try to prevent violence, bullying and to help bring kids at school and families together. It came in two parts

http://blog.artsusa.org/2011/09/22/civic-engagement-in-the-arts-in-action-part-1/
http://blog.artsusa.org/2011/09/23/civic-engagement-in-the-arts%E2%80%A6in-action-part-2/

organization page:
http://movethisworld.org/programs/families/

http://newsdesk.gmu.edu/2012/04/mason-brings-global-communities-together-through-sports-visitors-program/
I picked this because it shows another way of bringing a community together. It shows how important it is to make people feel comfortable, and welcomed. Bringing in people from all different cultures and places. There has to be respect and understanding from both sides for it to be successful. This reaches many different demographics as well. Without this program these people would not meet or have an experience like this.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/political-bookworm/post/education-reform-through-community-action/2011/11/29/gIQApxcf9N_blog.html

I really liked this article because I felt it continued on the with the ideas that the first chapter "of better together" this article focused on latino students and parents in Chicago. The teachers thought the children were not interested in school and that their parents didn't care. Parents didn't know how to communicate their issues with the school. After a bit of help the Teachers and Parents came together and have been going strong ever since with everyone involved. Opening up the communication and both parties working for a solution together really made this a success.

http://www.tbf.org/impact/objectives-and-strategies/strategies/reduce-youth-violence


The StreetSafe Boston Initiative is working with at risk youth to try to prevent them from being stuck in the violent world they grew up in by redirecting them through education, jobs, housing and many other services, which are very valuable to these youth. Most of the youth who grow up in an "at risk" environment already have the cards stacked against them. StreetSafe Boston is trying to work with them to give them the opportunities to get out, and do better things with their lives for them and their families.
I added a link to the StreetSafe page as well
http://bostonfoundation.org/Content.aspx?ID=9398