PLAGIARISM FREE10 HOURS of LESS

Respond to at least two of your peers' posts. In your replies, discuss one thing that stood out within their response. Additionally, compare and contrast your interview results with your peers’ results to draw some larger, shared themes among leaders advocating for social justice issues. Your response must be a minimum of 200 Words

DISCUSSION 1 ( Jessica)

Week 4 Discussion 1 – Social Justice Interview

For this discussion, I interviewed a kind woman named Peggy, who works at the local food pantry in my community. Peggy has been volunteering her time and working within the community with people experiencing homelessness, poverty, financial setbacks, relocation, and several other hardships. Right from the beginning of our interview, I could feel her empathetic and welcoming presence. Nevertheless, her perspective spoke volumes about her work for the community. Her take is that she has the heart and mind to help unconditionally because, according to her words, “It is not my job to judge people for why or how they got to this point in their life; it is my job to offer my ability to help and show kindness because this is my passion.” She also enthusiastically advocates for as many people in her pantry as possible. She indicated that human beings have needed a sense of community since the beginning of time and that everyone will find themselves in a position to help or need help at some point in their lifetime. She is doing something she loves and is the perfect fit for what she is doing. The interview aligns with ECE professional standards because Peggy aims to build family partnerships and community connections. She may not be working directly in the classrooms, but she is significantly impacting the families in the community that attend the local school. The interview shaped my view of the impact of the food pantry as a whole because I was able to take a short tour of the building, see photos on the wall of some of the events held there, events that have happened in the community and Peggy with some of the families she’s served. This was powerful to see because so many people have benefitted from the services in the community, and it showed.

Respond to at least two of your peers' posts. In your replies, discuss one thing that stood out within their response. Additionally, compare and contrast your interview results with your peers’ results to draw some larger, shared themes among leaders advocating for social justice issues. Your response must be a minimum of 200 Words

DISCUSSION 2 ( Roberta)

I used the questions in the discussion directive to guide the interview alongside our meaningful conversation.

• From your perspective, what are some things that still need to happen to move social justice issues forward for the people or community you serve? There needs to be more programs besides food benefits for low-income families with low education levels. I have found that many people can work and provide, but they have setbacks that interfere with their success. For instance, they may have no vehicle or only one vehicle or not have childcare.

• How has your definition of social justice changed due to working in this area? I have lived in this community my entire life; I raised my children here. I have seen families lose everything; I have seen families rally behind one another in the community. My views of social justice have increased in the sense that people need a break, they need support, and they need someone and somewhere to turn to in their time of need. I have had so many people come back to me once they are in a better position and ask what they can do to help the community or where they might find a family in need. This is the greatest gift I can give: to spread kindness to others so they pay it forward when they can.

• What recommendations or advice do you have for anyone looking to become more engaged in social justice issues? I would tell them to think about how much time and energy they have available to address social justice issues and help guide them to a spot that might be a good fit for them.

• What expectations must you meet as a leader in social justice issues? The expectation I have to meet is being dependable. I have people who faithfully visit my pantry every week. They count on me to help them with their food, resources, and other needs. They know week after week, I will be there to help. I have built this sense of community, and I hope that someday, others will find the passion to take over and support our community.

I interviewed Helen at the Center for Food Action near my town for this assignment. Helen, a board member for over 15 years, loves serving the people in the community. Helen stated, "The Center for Food Action is a private non-profit organization providing emergency services to low-income families, such as food, housing, utility, heating assistance, counseling, and advocacy services. When speaking with Helen, I can see her passion for helping others. Helen also stated, "Although we serve low-income families, no family should experience hunger and homelessness. I couldn't agree more with Helen because some middle-class families may experience financial hardships and need assistance paying bills or other services. I asked Helen what is the population of the people, and she said, "The population is mainly African American and Hispanic people, and the ages vary between 25 to middle-aged". "We provide diapers and formula to mothers with infants and toddlers and help them apply for WIC and social services for food stamps, cash assistance, and Medicaid. I asked Helen if there was anything that she could do to help reduce poverty in the community and what it would be. Helen stated, "I would create more jobs and offer salaries to meet living standards. Yes, there are jobs out here, but the salaries are not enough to reduce hunger and homelessness even in the wealthiest communities".

• Compare a leader’s expectations to a leader’s actual role as described by your interviewee.

As a leader, the expectation is to be a role model for the people we serve by being their voice to advocate for justice and equality to end poverty.

• Analyze how the interview results align with ECE professional standards.

Helen's role as a leader in providing services and advocating for needy families aligns with ECE professional standards. ECE leaders also offer services to families and advocate for children who need services beyond childcare.

• Discuss your personal reflection about how the interview shaped your understanding of the work surrounding social justice issues that leaders encounter.

The interview allowed me to understand the children and families I serve better. Although I work for a private childcare organization, families have other social justice issues besides paying a high tuition fee, such as seeking services for a child with developmental challenges. The primary focus of the interview was on low-income families. However, even middle- to upper-class families can experience unfortunate mishaps that require financial assistance or counseling to sustain a healthy lifestyle.

Respond to at least two of your peers' posts. In your replies, discuss one thing that stood out within their response. Additionally, compare and contrast your interview results with your peers’ results to draw some larger, shared themes among leaders advocating for social justice issues. Your response must be a minimum of 200 Words

DISCUSSION 1 ( Jessica)

Week 4 Discussion 1 – Social Justice Interview

For this discussion, I interviewed a kind woman named Peggy, who works at the local food pantry in my community. Peggy has been volunteering her time and working within the community with people experiencing homelessness, poverty, financial setbacks, relocation, and several other hardships. Right from the beginning of our interview, I could feel her empathetic and welcoming presence. Nevertheless, her perspective spoke volumes about her work for the community. Her take is that she has the heart and mind to help unconditionally because, according to her words, “It is not my job to judge people for why or how they got to this point in their life; it is my job to offer my ability to help and show kindness because this is my passion.” She also enthusiastically advocates for as many people in her pantry as possible. She indicated that human beings have needed a sense of community since the beginning of time and that everyone will find themselves in a position to help or need help at some point in their lifetime. She is doing something she loves and is the perfect fit for what she is doing. The interview aligns with ECE professional standards because Peggy aims to build family partnerships and community connections. She may not be working directly in the classrooms, but she is significantly impacting the families in the community that attend the local school. The interview shaped my view of the impact of the food pantry as a whole because I was able to take a short tour of the building, see photos on the wall of some of the events held there, events that have happened in the community and Peggy with some of the families she’s served. This was powerful to see because so many people have benefitted from the services in the community, and it showed.

Respond to at least two of your peers' posts. In your replies, discuss one thing that stood out within their response. Additionally, compare and contrast your interview results with your peers’ results to draw some larger, shared themes among leaders advocating for social justice issues. Your response must be a minimum of 200 Words

DISCUSSION 2 ( Roberta)

I used the questions in the discussion directive to guide the interview alongside our meaningful conversation.

• From your perspective, what are some things that still need to happen to move social justice issues forward for the people or community you serve? There needs to be more programs besides food benefits for low-income families with low education levels. I have found that many people can work and provide, but they have setbacks that interfere with their success. For instance, they may have no vehicle or only one vehicle or not have childcare.

• How has your definition of social justice changed due to working in this area? I have lived in this community my entire life; I raised my children here. I have seen families lose everything; I have seen families rally behind one another in the community. My views of social justice have increased in the sense that people need a break, they need support, and they need someone and somewhere to turn to in their time of need. I have had so many people come back to me once they are in a better position and ask what they can do to help the community or where they might find a family in need. This is the greatest gift I can give: to spread kindness to others so they pay it forward when they can.

• What recommendations or advice do you have for anyone looking to become more engaged in social justice issues? I would tell them to think about how much time and energy they have available to address social justice issues and help guide them to a spot that might be a good fit for them.

• What expectations must you meet as a leader in social justice issues? The expectation I have to meet is being dependable. I have people who faithfully visit my pantry every week. They count on me to help them with their food, resources, and other needs. They know week after week, I will be there to help. I have built this sense of community, and I hope that someday, others will find the passion to take over and support our community.

I interviewed Helen at the Center for Food Action near my town for this assignment. Helen, a board member for over 15 years, loves serving the people in the community. Helen stated, "The Center for Food Action is a private non-profit organization providing emergency services to low-income families, such as food, housing, utility, heating assistance, counseling, and advocacy services. When speaking with Helen, I can see her passion for helping others. Helen also stated, "Although we serve low-income families, no family should experience hunger and homelessness. I couldn't agree more with Helen because some middle-class families may experience financial hardships and need assistance paying bills or other services. I asked Helen what is the population of the people, and she said, "The population is mainly African American and Hispanic people, and the ages vary between 25 to middle-aged". "We provide diapers and formula to mothers with infants and toddlers and help them apply for WIC and social services for food stamps, cash assistance, and Medicaid. I asked Helen if there was anything that she could do to help reduce poverty in the community and what it would be. Helen stated, "I would create more jobs and offer salaries to meet living standards. Yes, there are jobs out here, but the salaries are not enough to reduce hunger and homelessness even in the wealthiest communities".

• Compare a leader’s expectations to a leader’s actual role as described by your interviewee.

As a leader, the expectation is to be a role model for the people we serve by being their voice to advocate for justice and equality to end poverty.

• Analyze how the interview results align with ECE professional standards.

Helen's role as a leader in providing services and advocating for needy families aligns with ECE professional standards. ECE leaders also offer services to families and advocate for children who need services beyond childcare.

• Discuss your personal reflection about how the interview shaped your understanding of the work surrounding social justice issues that leaders encounter.

The interview allowed me to understand the children and families I serve better. Although I work for a private childcare organization, families have other social justice issues besides paying a high tuition fee, such as seeking services for a child with developmental challenges. The primary focus of the interview was on low-income families. However, even middle- to upper-class families can experience unfortunate mishaps that require financial assistance or counseling to sustain a healthy lifestyle.