Content:
LITERAL:
(a) I, Jorge Mancilla, affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 30 hours of work. (I completed 32 total hours though.)
(b) I completed my independent component hours thanks to two remarkable individuals.
-Adrian Mancilla, GRYD member
-Karla Rodriguez Vallejo, Marriage and Family Therapist
(c) DONE. All my hours are logged.
(d) I completed a total of 32 hours worth of Independent Component. For the majority of my independent component I worked with Adrian Mancilla who is a member of Gang Reduction Youth Development (GRYD) and he mentors at risk youth and counsels them whether it be school or home visits. He showed me the ropes at his office and gave me a general explanation of his job. He taught me how to write case notes which are notes that he first jots down during his actual conversations with the adolescents but than later on he officially types out the reports and makes them as precise as possible. I went with him on two home visits and was able to listen and observe to most of the conversation between the client (at risk youth) and the client's parents but I had to leave when confidential information was being said. Afterwards I would debrief with Adrian Mancilla on the way to his office and than assist him with his case notes. Not only did I formally work with Adrian Mancilla but I also worked in a recreational matter as well that involved teaching sports to certain of the adolescent and even being fortunate enough to go with the group of adolescents that graduated from the GRYD program and were rewarded with a trip to Knotts Berry farm.
The other smaller section of my independent component consisted of doing over time with my mentor, Karla Rodriguez Vallejo. This "over time" was basically me doing more hours of mentorship. For example I helped Karla create an LGBTQ pamphlet that provides information on LGBTQ specific programs with their addresses, numbers, and hours of service so that adolescents whom need assistance in "coming out" , stress, or anxiety can go seek assistance if they wish to. Other than the LGBTQ project that we were working on, Karla also personally helped me out with my foundation for my final presentation and we went over possible answers and activities together.
INTERPRETIVE:
The picture above is part of the permission slip for when the group of GRYD "clients" had their graduation reward of going to Knotts Berry Farm.
The picture above is a GRYD Substance Use Self Evaluation form that the "clients" have to answer themselves. This evaluation form makes it easier for the GRYD staff to assist the clients and achieve a better understanding of their cases with substance use.
The picture above is a piece of the daily route sheet that Adrian Mancilla is required to fill out for every visit to a client that he makes. Due to confidentiality I could not take a full sheet picture because the rest of the sheet had private information on it regarding the client and the client's family.
The picture above is of Adrian Mancilla's personal notebook. This is the notebook where he takes his informal case notes on during his visits. He later finalizes his notes and types them out at his office where he completed his final draft of his case notes. The reason why the picture is from far is due to confidentiality of the information written.
In the picture above is a flyer about the GRYD program's basketball sessions. As I explained in my log, GRYD also provides a recreational outlet for the at risk youth to enjoy themselves and have friendly fun.
In the picture above is the flyer about the soccer program that GRYD is responsible for. The soccer was in high demand over the other sports so they ended up expanding the day from just Monday's to Saturday's to. As documented in my log, I went to the soccer session on a Saturday and it was a fun day. I assisted Adrian Mancilla teach a little about the fundamentals of soccer and we concluded the soccer session with a scrimmage that consisted of all the clients. They really enjoyed themselves that day, I did too!
In the picture above is the calendar for GRYD activities that are scheduled for February. They had calendars for every month but UI messed up and through them out. I just got this calendar though and it basically foreshadows future independent component days for myself in which I will volunteer and assist Adrian Mancilla.
I didn't really take any pictures with Karla (my mentor) because most of the time we were either working on the LGBTQ packet (which I can bring a copy of) or she was assisting me with foundation for essential question answers and assisting me come up with ideas for activities.
Overall throughout the 2 home visits I completed, soccer session, Knott's trip, office hours, and time spent with Kalra I was fortunate enough to complete 32 hours of independent component.
APPLIED:
My independent component 1 helped me in various ways to better understand the foundation of my topic and EQ. for example, with GRYD I worked with adolescents whom most of the time were stressed out and burnt out. Adrian Mancilla would ask them questions on why and I was able to hear REAL answers on why adolescents got to a certain point in their life where they became so stressed that they became considered "at risk youth." Through the GRYD program I also learned how athletic activity can also help relieve stress and take your mind off negative thoughts as well as exercise and provide great psychical health which according to research is also in correlation with a less stressful lifestyle. Through my over time with my mentor I learned about how things such as being a member of the LGBTQ community can lead to a more stressful lifestyle due to insecurity and low self-esteem however there are solutions such as LGBTQ specific programs that enhance courage and guide you along the way of becoming confident and coming out. Not only did I learn that from Karla but I also learned 3 potential answers as well as potential activities for my final lesson presentation. Overall I was able to experience the REAL reasoning of REAL adolescents whom were considered as at risk youth and discover the focal point as to why they changed their life ways and why they had/ have a stressful lifestyle. I also discovered solutions, and got a better understanding of how stress is created whether it be through the way you were raised, your neighborhood, your sexual preference, or your high standards. I have learned plenty from my independent component and I am grateful for the humbling experience.
