Yesterday I invited a woman to speak to WCYCC's AmeriCorps crew on financial literacy and goal planning.  The day was already strange, since I'd spent the morning at a presentation on local gangs by a police officer -- the presentation concluded with a slide show featuring local gang members and crimes to the tune of "Youth of the Nation" (I wonder if he was trying to make a point.).  Needless to say, I felt a bit nerve-y after the presentation and went with one of my co-workers to meet a lady who works with the Central Colorado Water Conservation District.  I tripped getting into the truck and was generally absent-minded throughout our meeting, although it turned out to be successful anyway.

Afterwards, we drove back to the office, and I walked into our "youth room," where the lady was already setting up and all of the corps members (including new members we hired last week) were there.  That wasn't ideal, but everything seemed mostly under control.  But really, with that group, nothing is "under control," and it turned out to be a very "interesting" presentation.  It started, harmlessly enough, with one member insisting that he spends his extra cash on beer (he seemed to really want the presenter to know how much he loved beer), and then other members offering their financial advice -- have a Mexican lady watch your kids because it's cheaper; make your car payments over rent because if you're kicked out at least you'll have somewhere to sleep; don't buy extra things like gum.  When asked for examples of emergency financial situations, one corps member offered, sincerely: "You get a girl pregnant."  Fortunately, the presenter was very adaptable, took these situations seriously, and didn't make any assumptions. She was able to respond to them and in the end called them a "very interactive group."

Following the presentation, I helped to set up for the TIGHT corps graduation.  This turned out to be fascinating as well.  The four graduating corps members made speeches, and there was a funny slideshow.  Memorable experiences with that group are difficult, since the pictures included former members who are now in juvenile detention or were kicked out of the program, but also corps members climbing on the Pawnee Buttes and holding frogs.  One girl talked about how her time with TIGHT hadn't been very enjoyable, and that she had probably made a lot of people mad, but that she had learned and changed from her experiences.  It was remarkably sincere, and people were shifting weirdly, trying to not cry.  There was cake and a lot of joking around about the tight budget I live on.  Ha ha ha...

Earlier this week I went to Denver to do mock interviews at a high school for a career class as part of Goodwill's Youth Services program.  It was pretty fun -- the high school was downtown and old and large.  I interviewed three students one-on-one in the library and gave them interview tips afterward -- "Don't say 'um, whatever,' be more specific..."  My idea is that I can adapt some of the practices used by Goodwill's program to incorporate into WCYCC's programs.

I'm starting to feel stacked up with thoughts and experiences.  I started volunteering with an adult literacy program, and it's slightly overwhelming.  Now that I've been here for some time and understand the community better and its issues, the problems faced by these particular people weren't shocking, but still sad.  It's a group of mothers who are trying to learn English in order to navigate the school system -- check their kids' grades and attendance, know who to talk to if they have a problem.  But at the same time, they're faced with the larger issue of knowing whether their kid is involved in a gang.  Next week a presenter (possibly the same man I saw speak on Friday) is coming to speak to them about local gangs, so that will be interesting.

I haven't ventured out of the area much lately except for work reasons, but I probably will next week once I have some other things under control.  Some friends are also interested in snowshoeing, which is promising, since I don't want to be stuck under an avalanche by myself...

I'd welcome any suggestions on cheap meals -- Lately, I've turned often to potatoes with broccoli and cheese as well as black beans and corn bread.  Pasta is always good.  Please let me know your thoughts...