This month has been a busy yet exciting one for PJC Youth!
UNC-Chapel Hill Visit
During the youth's Spring Break, PJC Youth made a trip to Chapel Hill to learn more about the university and it's programs and services. Four youth leaders conducted self-guided tours, thus enhancing their presentation, public speaking, and leadership skills. PJC Youth also had the opportunity to talk with current undergraduate Carolina students. PJC Youth learned about the importance of having a support system, studying habits, time management, and community involvement. As an educational excursion PJC youth made a quick trip to the Sarah P. Duke Gardens for a picnic lunch. A special thanks to the Migrant Education Program of Lenoir Co. staff and UNC-Chapel Hill students for their collaboration and support.
Check out our video:
April Youth-led Workshops- YouthSpeak Practices
During the month of April, PJC Youth met to learn more techniques and tools to use for YouthSpeak. PJC Youth Jose and Ana demonstrated great leadership by helping facilitate the practices. Youth were presented with public speaking tips, presentation skills, and guided on ways to share their story.
PJC monthly workshops are youth-led and filled with icebreakers, interactive activities, and provide youth with various resources.
NC Farmworker Institute
On April 21st, 8 PJC youth attended the NC Farmworker Institute in Chapel Hill, NC. Youth participated in various workshops, presented YouthSpeak, and networked with other farmworker advocated in the state. PJC youth attended the "Pathways to a Green Card: Family, Employment & Future of DACA/DAPA" and "Basic Information About the Tax System in the US & H2A". Youth also presented YouthSpeak during one of the concurrent sessions.
YouthSpeak 2016
"Wow." If you were to ask participants to describe YouthSpeak in one word that is what they would say. Or at the very least that is the word that was heard the most during the youths' session. PJC Youth delivered a successful YouthSpeak by addressing issues of farmworker youth, working condition, farmworker wages, pesticide exposure, tuition equity, farmworker youth education, goals, dreams, and challenges faced in the farmworker community.
PJC President Jose facilitated the panel discussion by asking youth questions about their experience as farmworker youth. Donte talked about how he started working in tobacco with his cousin at a very young age. Ana addressed issues of tuition equity and contractor's treatment on workers. Nancy explained how her farmworker background drives her to want an education. Eddie shared how wanting to help his mother out led him to start working long hours in tobacco fields. Angelica shocked everyone when talking about how she's moved 36 different times due to following the harvest crops. Freddy shed some light in wanting to be a civil rights attorney when he grows up.
