Essex conversations: Logan Harris Essay: “It is also important to work on social action issues. In my mind, there is nothing more empowering and nothing that builds a stronger community than making a difference while working together.”
Logan Harris was a youth who was at that time serving as the Dean of the 2001 YRUU Social Justice Conference. This issue of working on social justice projects is a recurring theme that I hear youth groups struggling with. I feel that there is a strong desire to get into these activities, but a general frustration about how to get started and concern over the amount of time spent planning rather than doing these projects. This is one area where I think it is wise for youth to ask for and accept the help of adults with more logistical experience to mentor them closely through the process. In order to get these adults in place, the first year might need to be planned by the adults relatively exclusively, so that they have the opportunity to learn before they teach. However, ideally, there will be adults and youth who are willing to learn together through the process. This could take the Youth/Adult Relationship to a new level of trust and regard as they each have the opportunity to see the others strengths and weaknesses in action and grow together.
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