September update part 2

September has been filled with so many changes, it is only fitting that fall is just around the corner.

Some of the changes have been stressful, challenging and frustrating. However, I hope that they continue. Faced with adversity I will persevere... right? ;) When I feel stressed, frustrated or upset by hiccups in food stamps, roommates, lack of work at my job or length of time it takes me to get anywhere, I try to remember that this is when I am growing. I can learn techniques to help me through these and even focus on why it is bothering me so I can remedy the issue or just deal better. It may be my painfully optimistic point of view, but I am trying to take risks and be uncomfortable. Not to an excessive or unhealthy amount, but in a way that I can learn from my trials and tribulations and become a better me.

A few of my goals this year include really getting out there. Very vague.. I know. But in the sense of using resources for the teens I will work with, being creative with food stamps and cooking with a limited budget (again), traveling around Denver by bus and finding things to occupy my time that make me happy, I want to experience life. Denver is new to me- I want to take advantage of the time I have here and get into the community. On the flip side, a large goal of mine is to really focus on myself. This is my first apartment, and after living with 11 people 24/7 last year in AmeriCorps NCCC I am alone quite a bit, which is taking some getting used to. Exploring what I enjoy doing, how I like to spend my time and partaking in a lot of self care is something that makes my FOMO (fear of missing out) syndrome anxious, but I think it will be good for me.

Alternatively, some of the changes had in September have been great. I have moved somewhere new and it went very smoothly. My room is exactly what I was looking for- with high ceilings and a walk in closet (what what!), and all the furniture I was able to purchase from the previous renter. Everyone in C.B.P.Y.T. is fantastic. We are a really great bunch of people. While playing the occasional Frisbee game, going to Thursday trivia nights, volunteering and just hanging out, I have made some connections that I am excited to explore this upcoming year.

Next month I will hopefully be getting a bike through Bike Depot's earn-a-bike program. Having a bike will enable more trips to Downtown and encourage my active lifestyle. I will also start working with kids one-on-one which will be a nice change of pace from being in the office all the time. Also, October means lots of pumpkin food/drink and HALLOWEEN!

Chafee Services at the Department of Human Services

Officially started as an AmeriCorps State worker on the 5th of September, but I wanted to give myself some time to settle into the office before I got this blog going.

As a C.B.P.Y.T. AmeriCorps State Corps member, I have been chosen to work with Chafee Services at the Denver Department of Human Services.

Chafee Services work with teens who are preparing for independent life and transitioning out of foster care. Throughout the year I will be paired with teens in the Denver area who need assistance applying for jobs, securing housing, furthering and/or finishing their education and working on other life skills before their cases are closed at age 21. Part of my job this year will also be to facilitate Independent Living classes with youth. I start my sessions next month and Annalise (the other AmeriCorps member) and I are prepping for the lessons, activities and cooking we will be encorporating into classes.

"Mission of Chafee Services: To provide and coordinate services for the well being and the protection of the residents in our community.  These services are provided through partnerships that help people move towards independence and realize their potential.

AmeriCorps members serve in the Independent Living Unit and mentor youth one on one who are transitioning out of foster care. This position includes a high level of collaboration with therapists and social workers at the Department of Human Services. Members also lead the Youth Advisory Board for Denver Human Services and help facilitate independent living classes through the Chafee Program and Rocky Mountain Youth International Housing. Check out their website http://denverchafee.org/ for more information. "

As soon as Annalise and I arrived at our desks we felt welcomed by the Chafee Team. Streamers, balloons, and personalized calendars and name tags adorned our shared cubicle and, of course, tons of Ameri-gear.

So far Annalise and I have been shadowing Chafee workers and social workers as they attend meetings and contact with the teens, sitting in on staff meetings at DHS and volunteering. We also have been able to attend Youth Advisory Board meetings to get a feel for what the teens would like to work on. We are antsy to start working with youth but trying to soak in all the information we can before we get started!

Beginning Stages

My 2012-2013 journey started when I was in my last AmeriCorps program. I was finishing my year of service with AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps, and was frantically trying to find something to to in my LAA ( Life After AmeriCorps). Applying to jobs, I found one that I was passionate about and in June I was accepted into C.B.P.Y.T. AmeriCorps.

Now... what is C.B.P.Y.T.?  And, why did I want to join another service program in AmeriCorps and why did I want another one with an acronym everyone questions?


C.B.P.Y.T. stands for Community Building Partnership with Youth in Transition. And I have found through my years in Connecticut and Massachusetts that I love service. It is very empowering and allows me to feel connected to community and gain perspective and skills. This year, I decided to move to Denver. By myself- across the country. Daunting to say the least, but this organization seemed to line perfectly with my ideal career path in social services and working with teenagers, a population I really enjoy working with.

Here is a background on what C.B.P.Y.T. is from their website;

"The mission of Community Building Partnership for Youth in Transition (CBPYT) is to:

• Support the essential bridges to adulthood through culturally appropriate resources
• Enhance services for youth to help those transitioning out of systems of care
• Help youth obtain good jobs
• Strengthen and augment family and social network support for youth
• Promote educational success
• Promote mental health and wellness
• Foster personal growth and self-identity
• Empower youth and promote personal responsibility"

"Community Building Partnership for Youth in Transition is a solution.  Our approach mixes youth empowerment, agency expertise, and services in a way that helps local communities impact youth in a successful, positive, and appropriate way.

CBPYT operates as an AmeriCorps program housed at Denver Human Services.  Through this program, AmeriCorps members mentor other youth who are currently transitioning out of foster care, homelessness, and other systems of care.  Our mentors work out of community agencies across the Front Range, where they serve for about 38 hours weekly.  After they complete 1,725 hours of service, they are rewarded with $5,550 to further their education.

The CBPYT AmeriCorps program works with various host sites in the Denver/Boulder area, including city and county agencies and non-profits, to support local community partnerships in meeting the needs of youth between the ages of 15 and 22 who are transitioning into self-sufficiency.

Members assist youth in the development of life skills in areas such as education, employment, housing, personal finance, cooking, personal care, healthcare, etc. One-on-one mentoring, group facilitation, program development, and service learning projects are a few ways that AmeriCorps members reach out to and work with youth."

The stipend of about 400$ per check and 800$ per month seems scary, especially when I have to afford rent and food, but I have found a conveniently located apartment which I have moved into and am applying for Food Stamps to help out my budget.

Lots of new things this year- I'm excited to take risks and adventures to see where I end up in 2013!

 http://cbpytamericorps.org/

www.americorps.gov