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Opening Doors

3/27/2016

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by: Maria Corse


Sometimes options seem closed to us because others have pre-determined all the points and conditions of accessibility before we even show up. Other opportunities, however, only appear to be locked because of our own fears, inhibitions, and feelings of inadequacy.


The good news is that all these circumstances can be overcome, maybe not easily, but with a commitment to taking charge, learning, and growing, as well as a caring support system it is highly possible.


All of us have felt powerless or incompetent at some point in our lives. I will argue that devoting ourselves to learning about the particular subject, theme, law, or constraint that is holding us back from opening a door offers an immediate sense of empowerment. Positive action, indeed, is far more potent than apathy.


Most Deep Root Center students have recently experienced a slammed, locked, barred, and guarded door; that is why they came to DRC in the first place, and, many don't immediately understand the inherent freedom and responsibility that inhabits the philosophy of self-directed learning, because, until now, it has not been part of their personal experience.


The DRC staff's highest priority those first few months, therefore, is mentoring, advising, and counseling all new student members to take charge of their own education with our encouragement and guidance. They are urged to relax, explore social relationships, and to play. They are also offered multiple opportunities to discover their passions and interests and to talk about their anxieties and inhibitions.


I don't think any of us realize how deeply anxiety affects our youth. They fear things like: being socially ostracized, being bullied, not fitting in, being themselves, being dumb, being alone, violence, drugs, the state of the world, their future, and so on. The list is as endless as it is for every single adult reading this.


I recently started following Elizabeth Gilbert's blog. She is the author of the mega popular hit Eat, Pray, Love. Her posts often touch on the topic of fear and how to acknowledge it without allowing it to drive your actions or inactions, for that matter.


Another follower of her blog had her 5th grade students paint a wooden chair a solid color and then had them each write, with paint, the thing they are most afraid of directly onto the chair. The seat now resides, alone, in the corner of her classroom as a physical, hands-on reminder that we are all in the driver's seat of our lives, fear is not.


This inspiring project is on the agenda for this coming week at Deep Root Center. We, of course, will create it with our unique DRC spin, with the perfect chair which has already been deemed impotent by a cracked seat and a few missing screws, using chalkboard paint for the background and chalk to write all of our worries. This will be a truly current representation of all of our fears, where the concerns can be erased and new ones added as they rise to the forefront of our consciousness.


The next time you visit DRC, you are welcome to acknowledge the “fear” chair sitting in the corner, but then move on to delight in the beehive of affirming activity that our open, unlocked doors and attitudes provoke.




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DRC NEWS


Deep Root Center will be back in session, after this much appreciated Spring Break, Tuesday, March 29th, when we will begin our final ten weeks of this academic year!


Membership

We are currently meeting with interested families and are accepting new applications for the 16/17 academic year. If you know of someone who may be interested in learning more about our unique approach to education, please pass our information on. I can envision that we will be at, or very close to full capacity this September.


Summer Workshops

We will be planning the DRC Summer Workshop schedule very soon. If you have ideas for weeklong themed workshops that you (a friend or acquaintance) would be interested in facilitating please get in touch.
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Holidays, Vacations, and Breaks

3/20/2016

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by: Maria Corse

Have you ever noticed that complete and utter exhaustion strikes just before a planned vacation? No matter how much you love your job, that last week before a break is always mentally, physically, and emotionally draining.


Although my life's work is joyfully and completely wrapped up with the amazing and never ending logistics of working with and supporting our awesome student members to be independent, self-directed learners, as well as all the administrative duties that are vital to being an integral part of the community who works for and with kids, I have discovered these last few weeks that personal downtime is absolutely essential for mental health, no matter how dedicated you are, how important the work is, or how fundamental you think your contribution is to the organization.


The habit of writing the blog every Sunday morning, with a few concessions (sitting with the MacBook on my lap instead of standing at my desk and making it brief), however, as you can see, has not disappeared despite my self declared holiday from all things DRC, because creating word paintings is as natural as breathing; it is simply what I do. I have learned that the only way to shut the flow of thoughts off is to allow them to dribble through my fingers to the keys.


May your vacations be as revitalizing and self-indulgent as my headfirst dive into my newly replenished stack of library books ....
















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Fences and Boxes ...

3/13/2016

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,… are specifically designed to either keep things in or --- out. Imagine the task of moving a whole household without cartons. Now picture raising baby pigs (goats, sheep, cows, horses, emu, etc) without some kind of fence. These devices, when used for these and other practical purposes, make certain missions eminently possible.


I believe, however, that beyond these utilitarian applications, boxes and fences are nothing more than deterrents, barriers, and hurdles to creativity, imagination, self – motivation, productivity, community, collaboration, kindness, and compassion.


The expressions “boxed or fenced in” are ultra-visual metaphors that have an immediate visceral impact which automatically brings recognition of the frustration and fury that are implicit in those statements.


When people are contained, restrained, or coerced, depending upon the individual, they will either naturally respond by lashing out in anger and hurting others or with resignation and acceptance. And, I think we can all agree that neither of those reactions are healthy for that soul or for society at large.


Fear of the unknown or of censure is often times offered as a defense for constraint. Providing the freedom, nonetheless, to choose from a whole world of diverse opportunities, options, and alternatives allows intrinsic motivation to drive independent thought, passion, and vision to determine each beings path. This liberty of self-determination, however, requires the counter-balance of dependability and responsibility, otherwise, un-mentored autonomy can lead to narcissistic entitlement.


This narrow divide between the two extremes of empathetic, engaged, and community minded human and, well, to put it quite plainly --- brat, can only be traversed with love, kindness, trust, respect, resources, expectations, and unflagging support.


Use boxes and fences for those things that need to be contained or kept safe from predators. Then let go of anxiety and allow the humans in your life to explore the possibilities freely, with steadfast guidance and encouragement, to generate and envision new concepts and plans for a positive future.

*This post, as always, has been inspired by the youth I spend my days with. I appreciate them all for their openness to new ideas and their awesome ability to remind me to be accepting of the many different ways of being. I am newly grateful for their wisdom every single day.






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DRC NEWS
Spring Break
Deep Root Center will be closed for a much needed Spring Break from March 18 – 28. We will be back in session Tuesday, March 29th. Safe travels to all who are venturing beyond the confines of the NoCo.

Wanted:
The list has expanded a bit. If you would be willing to donate any of the following items, please get in touch.

​chairs (any kind)
lego table
bookshelves
lockers or cubbies
shelf braces
wooden planks to use as shelving
laptops, desk top, or tablets (We would like to spend time with the hardware, before accepting, to determine if it would be functional for our uses. We will only accept items that have supportable operating systems – Apple or Windows- or the ability to upgrade to a more recent OS.)

Deep Root Center (Whole Learners, Inc.) is a 501(c)3 NYS not for profit charitable organization. If needed or desired, we would gratefully provide you with a letter stating your contribution to Deep Root Center.

Thank You!
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Tuesday Profile - André Lynch

3/8/2016

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André Lynch is our brand new Educational Program Director. We are so very excited to welcome him on board during this awesome and crazy 2nd year of operation. If you have been reading our blog regularly, you know that our student membership has shot-up exponentially during the past few months. We started out the year with four and are now at twenty-two.

André spontaneously visited in late November because he saw our chalkboard sign on the sidewalk and was curious about DRC and the programs we offer. He started volunteering soon after, for a couple mornings a week, and soon became an integral part of the program.


As our numbers continued to grow it became apparent that we needed to hire another staff person.  André was the ideal candidate – he is here with tons of experience and talent, completely sold on our mission and vision, devoted to the students, and the kids adore him. Yes, a perfect match!


We are so very grateful that he wandered up the stairs to follow his natural inquisitiveness.


If you would like to learn more about André you can read his bio here on the Staff and Board page on the DRC website.


The kids interviewed him this Monday morning during our community meeting. You will notice many of the questions begin: what is your favorite ….




What is your favorite color?
I like neutral colors, but hunter green is my favorite.

What is you favorite animal to ride?
Donkey – I rode one a long time ago.

What is you favorite sport?
Football

What is your favorite thing to do?
Fishing - Why? It is calming and like that I can catch my food.

What is your favorite book?
I have two: 1984 by George Orwell and The Prince by Machiavelli

What is your favorite food?
Caribbean food because my family is originally from Trinidad and Tobago.

What was your favorite birthday?
My eighth birthday when I got a Nintendo 64.

What is your favorite place to live?
Brooklyn, although, I could not live in the city again.

What is your favorite holiday?
I love the Christmas holiday season.

What is your favorite month?
December I like the cold and festive vibe.

What do you do for a living?
I wear many hats aside from here at Deep Root Center. I am also the Adolescent Outreach Advocate for NCMEP and I am a full time grad student.

What was your long term goal?
I want to be a Dean of Students at a small Liberal Arts Institution.

What was your favorite subject in school?
History

Why did you chose to study Law Enforcement?
I wanted to help bridge the gap between under privileged residents and law enforcement in minority communities.

Why did you decide to work at DRC?
I believe in the mission. And, I like that I can help empower kids to be kids.







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Motivation 

3/6/2016

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 … is a shy, illusive, and wily lass, who requires an established collection of circumstances before she deigns to show her face. Once engaged, however, she is a tenacious, innovative, persistent and resourceful spirit, as well as invaluable asset who will toil tirelessly until the task is completed.

Motivation can be driven by many things, however, she is not, and frankly can never be, forcibly stimulated through external coercion or control. She resides naturally inside each being and arises for purely personal objectives. Those distinct goals, nevertheless, need not be singular or isolated from other individuals' aspirations. Working together toward one common aim is, in fact, one of those previously mentioned conditions.

Society has tried and failed to reign her in and place her under the dictates of establishment's rules. She is, nonetheless, immune to intimidation and harassment. Some would call her stubborn and a few even have the gall to label her lazy. She goes where she pleases and only where she feels the most welcome.

She has discovered that she prefers to inhabit completely safe, friendly, and inspiring environments surrounded by the hum of creativity, kindness, and respect. She is nurtured by confidence, curiosity, and compassion and she actively seeks out affirmation and validation (see last week's post), as well as mutual benefits. External rewards, however, are not the leading instigator in the effort she puts forth.

Motivation has burst forth within us all, at one time or another --- those moments of emotional well being, when everything aligns perfectly and it appears that you can take on the world, complete any task put before you, and have energy to burn at the end of the day. The sensations of accomplishment, pride, and satisfaction are, truly, like no other and are what sustain and encourage Motivation to perpetuate her efforts and extend her sojourn to take up permanent residence for the long haul.

*This post, while with a wee touch of whimsy, is inspired by a few stories from this past   week, but in particular by a couple of new student members from Ogdensburg. They           completely, on their own, (without our knowledge) contacted WWNY TV in Watertown,       via email, to ask if DRC could have a commercial made that would air at the end of       each newscast. They have independently engaged in back and forth communication
with a producer from the station.


Their reasoning is two-fold – (a) they want to find a reliable ride for eight kids from               Ogdensburg to Canton and back because the SLC Public Transport has a fairly
ridiculous schedule (either ride for 2 hours early in the morning or take a later direct
route that arrives in Canton around 11:15 and turn around to leave at 1:20pm). (b) They       also want to spread the word about their positive experiences at DRC to find financial           backing for our Fee Reduction Program.


To put this particular story in perspective, one of these girls is currently on probation for truancy. She absolutely refused to go to school …. Draw your own conclusions on this one!



DRC NEWS


We are absolutely delighted to announce that André Lynch has joined the DRC staff as our Educational Program Director. André is currently a SLU Graduate student who received his Bachelor Degree from SUNY Canton. (You will have the opportunity to learn more about him from an interview by the DRC kids, which will be featured in this week's Tuesday Profile.)


He has taken on the fun (time consuming) tasks of reviving and creating the class schedule, facilitating several of those classes, and recruiting more volunteers, who will teach, hang out with the kids, as well as mentor some of our youth.


André will be at the Center M-W, 8–12 and Th, 12-4. Please stop in any time to meet him and possibly offer your services as a volunteer.




DRC Population Explosion Continues

You are probably curious as to why we have hired a new staff person this late in the academic year, in three words – twenty-two student members (and counting)! In the last month, we have grown at the rate of one - two new kids each week (last week it was four)!


Transportation

As mentioned in the credits for this post, eight of those new students are from the Ogdensburg area. They are looking for consistent and reliable transportation from the 'Burg and back M-Th. If you know of someone who has a large van and would be willing to drive them for gas money, please get in touch.





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Deep Root Center
48 Riverside Drive, Canton, NY 13617

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