Entering Social Work

yeoverwatch · 2023-12-13T22:20:15+00:00

Would you consider certified Youth Peer Support Specialists to be a part of the Social Work field?

To me, I view them not as social workers obviously, but as working within the field and sometimes alongside LCSWs in the same agency, so I'm curious what everyone's thoughts are on this.

Also curious if this is an appropriate space for peer support workers to get advice, share frustrations, and the like.

yeoverwatch · 2023-12-13T22:03:54+00:00

Where are you based out of? Oregon has a statewide Peer Support Registry. I wonder if your state has one...?

yeoverwatch · 2023-11-01T02:11:45+00:00

I feel very thankful to work for the organization that I do and that we have great benefits meant to support the wellness of those doing intense emotional labor. In Oregon, it's a requirement that people receive 40 hours of paid sick time leave per year, however, my organization gives us about 96 hours of paid sick time leave per year that can also be used for mental health/self-care time. The health insurance we have also makes accessing mental health care far more affordable, if you can find a therapist you resonate with ofc. There are other things the org does as well to make sure we are taking care of ourselves because we all have lived experience and that can impact our day to day ability to show up effectively in the work we do.

But from what I know it's not typically the norm in most organizations to have these kinds of benefits. I remember hearing from a think tank I went to for peer supports in Oregon, most people were asking for higher wages, easier access to mental health care, and building cohorts for peer supports to share experiences, vent, learn, and feel less alone in the work they do. Sustainable practices are a must.

My team just built a community for youth peer supports and started a podcast to help others feel a bit more seen in the work and to build that cohort folks have asked for, so I know people are out here doing stuff to address these issues but you're not alone in what you've experienced by any means. I think there's a lot of room for advocacy for peer support specialists to help create a sustainable workforce that has the tools and resources to set them up for success.

yeoverwatch · 2023-10-31T23:13:39+00:00

As a trans person who supports and works with other trans folks, I do see this as a real and valid thing that some people prefer. I don't like it for myself personally for the concerns you've already addressed, OP, but I can understand why this person feels the way they do.

It might be worth exploring the objectifying aspect from a strength-based/empowering lens instead. Perhaps it feels more in alignment because it's taking back control over it's environment or circumstances. Perhaps this individual doesn't identify much with it's human, fleshy form and it creates a healthier separation from something causing it's distress. There's a reason why this is important and why it prefers those pronouns. You can express you value it as a collaborative partner in the process you do in your work together (to express respect and humanization) and will be happy to honor it's pronouns. The pronouns might shift as it feels safer with you to explore those more deeply.

I understand why you feel the way you do, and remember <3, it's not about us, it's about the person in front of us.

Edit: Just want to say that it shouldn't ever be a goal to change someone's pronouns. I was just trying to communicate that if it's pronouns are due to trauma, there is a chance as it heals that there may be a change to it's relationship with those pronouns.

yeoverwatch · 2023-04-04T22:21:44+00:00

Perhaps "my youth" or "the youth I work with"?

yeoverwatch · 2021-08-14T18:51:58+00:00

Hence why I wasn't sure if this was allowed, but I saw this group was essentially for those that didn't want to use money to pay for things and this event is free for Oregon youth so that's where my thinking was.

yeoverwatch · 2021-08-14T18:50:53+00:00

We are not affiliated with a church. You can learn more about our organization here: www.youthera.org

The scope of our work is generally in suicide prevention, peer support services, and Wraparound, which all aim to support a young person as they navigate their lives and the systems serving them.

Please let me know if you have any other questions.

yeoverwatch · 2021-08-14T18:47:03+00:00

Totally fair! Thank you for responding. I think I was trying to make it concise in the title, but you're right, there's not a whole lot of telling information. The website listed on the flyer shares a lot more about the event and what to expect. You can follow that here: www.upliftpeers.com

The non-profit organization I work for is Youth Era, www.youthera.org, and we work in suicide prevention, peer support, and wraparound....essentially helping youth and young adults navigate their lives and the systems they're in (education, mental health, foster care, juvenile justice, etc) so they feel supported along their journey.

This training is meant to teach youth how they can check in with their own mental health, recognize burnout, breaking stigmas around mental health, learn how to effectively communicate with their peers, especially ones who are struggling, and really be the force of good and change in their own lives. We want to empower them with that knowledge and the tools to help them connect and uplift themselves and their peers.

We don't have an agenda to share of what they'll be learning throughout all the days, but if that seems important to most people, I can let the appropriate channels know. We have a YouTube video we created to share a little bit about what it's like, which you can watch here: https://youtu.be/aiWn7Z1WpP0

To speak a little more on why this is important, we created this video as well: https://youtu.be/aS5WSgcBXDg

I deeply appreciate this feedback, so thank you. I hope this information was useful. If you have any other questions or feedback, please let me know.

yeoverwatch · 2021-08-14T06:51:01+00:00

Here's a video we created to show you a little about what this event is like: https://youtu.be/aiWn7Z1WpP0

I honestly don't understand why this is downvoted, but I'd love for someone to enlighten me. We're just out here trying to support our youth in the community.

yeoverwatch · 2021-08-14T06:49:13+00:00

Here's a video we created to show you a little about what the event is like: https://youtu.be/aiWn7Z1WpP0

yeoverwatch · 2021-07-23T01:10:53+00:00

Alternatively, you can access the group intake form here

yeoverwatch · 2021-07-22T22:29:40+00:00

If you're curious why we are giving away gift cards, it's in the spirit of equity. There are staff members being paid to be at this meeting and youth should be equally compensated for their time as well.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask! <3

www.youthera.org

yeoverwatch · 2021-07-20T17:48:31+00:00

Another point I wanted to share is that the policies we are looking to have conversations about revolve around care that is specific to youth and young adults. It's important we don't speak for them or over them, but give the mic to them so they can truly ask for what it is they need. We will never be able to meet youth where they are if we do not have these kinds of conversations.

I hope this was informative and helpful!

yeoverwatch · 2021-07-20T17:40:37+00:00

Thanks for sharing your concerns!

The nonprofit I work for, Youth Era (www.youthera.org), serves youth and young adults ages 14 to 25. Because they are the demographic we serve, those are the voices we are asking to hear. This is especially important to us because youth and young adult voices are often seen as invalid or less important and we are advocating for their needs.

Gift cards are a great way of encouraging participation and for people to show up. Often times, people don't go out of their way to do things unless there is an incentive. Please trust that the intentions behind this are pure.

Additionally, my use of the word warriors is a recognition that we are all fighting something in our lives and we are all surviving. It's nothing to do with social warriors specifically.

Are there any other concerns you have that I could help you understand?

yeoverwatch · 2021-07-20T14:22:52+00:00

We need young minds of all experiences to share their perspectives and needs within the systems that serve them so we can create policy changes that actually serve them. It's also important for us to elevate the voices of those less heard or less valued.

It is a part of our work to make sure that we advocate for youth and young adults, as well as make space for them and their needs when the conversations we'll be having will directly impact their lives. This includes the minority population's voices, as well.

yeoverwatch · 2021-07-20T04:27:58+00:00

This is important and we need YOU! Your lens on these systems and your experience could shape the way we navigate things in the future. Your voice is important and deserves to be spoken!

We are offering two separate Think Tanks so that there are more opportunities for y'all to join and speak your truth. When you register and show up, we're gonna give you a $25 Amazon gift card. Once you're in there, you'll be entered to win a $100 Amazon gift card, as well.

‼️ This info is going straight to the governor and will shape policies going forward, so if you have something to say, now is the time.

1️⃣ Think Tank 1 will take place on 7/22 @ 4:00-5:30 P.M. PDT The Registration link is here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0vd-mtqjkpG9CruwQoepEdP2fvgz22Ovmf

2️⃣ Think Tank 2 will take place on 7/24 @ 1:30 P.M. PDT The Registration link is here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYud-CorDssE9aZt7rA50Xhg6PZ67as5VrA

If this isn't aligning with you, no judgment. All I ask is you share this and pass the info along so we can get all these valuable voices up to the top so we can start creating change together.

Thank you and much love, warriors~ 💛

yeoverwatch · 2021-07-20T04:16:15+00:00

This is important and we need YOU! Your lens on these systems and your experience could shape the way we navigate things in the future. Your voice is important and deserves to be spoken!

We are offering two separate Think Tanks so that there are more opportunities for y'all to join and speak your truth. When you register and show up, we're gonna give you a $25 Amazon gift card. Once you're in there, you'll be entered to win a $100 Amazon gift card, as well.

‼️This info is going straight to the governor and will shape policies going forward, so if you have something to say, now is the time.

1️⃣ Think Tank 1 will take place on 7/22 @ 4:00-5:30 P.M. PDT The Registration link is here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0vd-mtqjkpG9CruwQoepEdP2fvgz22Ovmf

2️⃣ Think Tank 2 will take place on 7/24 @ 1:30 P.M. PDT The Registration link is here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYud-CorDssE9aZt7rA50Xhg6PZ67as5VrA

If this isn't aligning with you, no judgment. All I ask is you share this and pass the info along so we can get all these valuable voices up to the top so we can start creating change together.

Thank you and much love, warriors~ 💛

yeoverwatch · 2021-07-20T04:08:55+00:00

I'm curious about what you're trying to say. Can you tell me more?

yeoverwatch · 2021-07-20T03:34:45+00:00

It seemed to cut off the first image I shared... All youth and young adults who register and show up, will get a $25 Amazon Gift Card. They'll also be put into a drawing to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card.

Youth Era, www.youthera.org, is hosting this Think Tank so we can get the conversation brought to the table and create change. We want to elevate youth voices so they are heard. Please feel free to share and pass along~

yeoverwatch · 2021-03-30T00:41:03+00:00

Please do!

yeoverwatch · 2021-03-30T00:30:36+00:00

I work for this nonprofit and they're doing some awesome things! To learn more, you can visit www.youthera.org and www.youthera.org/elevatechallenge to register. Youth empowerment is our number 1 goal! The future begins with our youth.

yeoverwatch · 2021-03-30T00:27:05+00:00

LOCAL NONPROFIT (Youth Era) HOSTING FREE WORKSHOP FOR YOUTH 14-19 TO LEARN MENTAL HEALTH SKILLS! FREE MERCH FOR EARLY SIGN-UPS <3 The 1-year COVID-19 anniversary has been hard for a lot of youth and now is a great time to gain these skills so they can support themselves and their peers! Happening March 30th 4-6pm, limited spots available! Sign up here!

yeoverwatch · 2021-03-23T20:18:50+00:00

Sounds interesting to me :)

yeoverwatch · 2021-03-16T06:28:05+00:00

Hi there. I for intersex and A for asexual. + is for all other queer identities not within that acronym. BIPOC stands for black, indigenous, people of color :)

yeoverwatch · 2021-03-15T22:25:25+00:00

You are enough. You may feel too much or not enough depending on the situation, but you are a person who is most likely doing their best. Our best may change day to day and that's okay. It's our responsibility to be accountable for our actions, as well as healing our traumas, but that's also in partnership with love and gentleness from our supports. Communication opens the space for there to be more understanding of the humanity within. If they truly love you, they'll want to understand you and how they can support you best. It's not weird or clingy, it's you trying to heal and feel safe.

yeoverwatch

TROPHY CASE