Co-op Takeaways From SEED
Over the past 3 months I have had many realizations about the importance of the work done at SEED. Youth are the future, so they deserve all the support they can get. SEED teaching youth that they can create a sustainable and sufficient future for themselves also prepares them to tackle the forefront issues of our generation with the proper skills and confidence. With this, I think the biggest takeaway of my time here is how empowering SEED’s program’s are to youth.
As I mentioned, one way SEED guides youth towards a self-sustaining future is by teaching them the foundations of employability. These skills are often overlooked, but this generation needs to feel confident in their ability to make a living in order to be confident in a successful future. What I have come to realize is that there is an overlap in what SEED teaches about employability skills and life skills in general. What is setting them up for their first job is also setting them up for navigating the ups and downs they may face in their lives. You can’t put a price on transferable skills, making SEEDs programs invaluable.
Independence and confidence are other proficiencies that are both directly and indirectly taught through participating in SEED programs. The facilitators and program officers are very patient with youth on their course to independence. They guide youth on how to do really important things for themselves, whether it be how to send an email to their bosses or teaching them how to manage their money. The real progress is how the youth take this information and apply it to their lives in times outside of the program. Getting the bus on time to get to their job, being reliant at work, and keeping a budget are just some ways that youth can apply their knowledge in the real world to become more independent. This indirectly teaches them to be more self-sufficient in other areas in their life, whether it be pursuing a higher education or maintaining a healthy lifestyle. With this sufficiency acquired, youth seem to come out of SEED programs much more confident in their abilities and what they can do with in their future.
These supports are imperative to the positive outlook that youth should have toward the future. Every generation has their challenges. If there is a feeling of discouragement that a youth is facing, SEED strives to turn that into genuine empowerment through showing them they can make a difference in their own life!
On a more personal level, I have learned from SEED that everyone is on their own path to reaching their own potential. It doesn’t matter the circumstances you are in, take advantage of whatever supports you are given. Work hard, and step by step, you can get where you want to be.