College Night at The Main

College Night

Two nights ago, we were given time to present about the University of Michigan at “College Night,” which is for the teens to learn more about different colleges in the U.S. We created a presentation (a powerpoint and a sweet poster) talking about ourselves (ex: our majors and goals), basic facts about U of M, different sport and music groups on campus, the Native American Student Organization, how to apply to U of M, financial aid, and scholarships. We baked a lot of chocolate cookies and brownies for the kids to eat when they answered our questions correctly. Overall, it was a good experience and the kids really enjoyed us singing the Michigan Fight song!

Yesterday, we had the opportunity to have Julie, the head organizer of The Main/Teen Center, to talk to answer any of our questions during lunch. Julie mentioned a lot of concepts and facts, which I will mention here. The Main Youth Center first started in a different location, after rebuilding an old bar. From there, after receiving millions of dollars from private organizations and also money from the federal government, Julie and her co-workers were able to build the current Main Center for children and the Teen Center. It is a grass-roots organization that is run on federal grants and private donations. Because it is a grass-roots organization and does not rely on federal money, Julie has the space to be creative and do what is needed for the Center without federal restrictions. She says that she loves this aspect of the organization.

Most of the staff and Julie herself have a strong connection to the Main Youth Center because they not only serve the children in the community in general but also serve their own families that come to the Center. In regards to the goals that she has for the children who come to the center, Julie says that she has high goals for everyone, even though not all children will follow through. Her number one goal, through the Center, is to provide a safe haven for any one who comes here. Julia also wants to provide fun things to do and also provide educational information. One of the ideas of the Center is to provide assets to succeed if the children desire to do so.

Julie said that they receive most of their clothes, shoes, school supplies, office materials, cleaning supplies, etc. from donations. I asked Julie about what they do with the donations. She said that some of the materials get used at the Cheyenne River Youth Center (i.e. The Main) and the other things get passed on to families in need. The Center also runs a Family Services Program, since 1992, and allots certain materials or clothes to families. In order to show respect to the families and allow them to have some dignity for themselves, each family has to pay a $30 membership for them to be able to request certain things from the warehouse at the Main Center.

Julie said that she appreciates greatly the volunteers that come to the Main Center to help out with anything that is needed at that time because it takes a lot of pressure off the staff, when the staff has other organizational things to worry about. Also, she said that although we may come here for only a short period of time, our time and kindness is definitely felt and appreciated by the staff and children who get to know us. Although each volunteer has a different personality, each also has a similar goal to help the Main Center to keep running and positively affecting the community.

One of the most influential, I think, statements that Julie made that I will remember forever is that individuals who come into a different community to help should not impose their ideas from their homes/communities, but should help by learning the methods of that specific community. Since each community has different morals and beliefs, attempting to incorporate your thoughts and ideas to solve conflicts in a different community is most of that time not beneficial for the community. Julie said that it is important to learn from the community that you come to serve and to understand how they perceive certain issues and concepts in order to best improve the community dynamics. She mentioned a quote:

"If you have come here to help me, then you are wasting your time…But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together."

--Lila Watson (a Sociologist)

--The Main :D