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Joseph, 17, knew we have a city council but didn’t know what they actually do. In addition, he hadn’t heard of the Youth Task Force prior to our conversation. He said if he would have known about it, he would’ve considered being a part of it or would have recommended it to his peers. He’s heard of organizations like MOP and MOJO but he wasn’t exactly sure what they did or how to get involved. Both Ariajh and Joseph said that inviting these kinds of organizations into high schools, including continuation schools like Yosemite and Valley, would help boost participation. Joseph said, “Giving these organizations a greater presence in schools would be nice. They seem like they could be a boon to our community.”
Since that meeting two summers ago, I’ve stayed involved. At We’Ced, I’ve gained critical leadership skills. By planning events or working with a group, I feel like I’ve had the opportunity to step up and become a leader. I’ve learned how to work in a group with people of different experiences and perspectives, and because the group builds trust with each other, it helps me step away from my comfort zone. I’ve also improved my public speaking skills by talking with strangers at events and interviewing people for articles.
Joining groups like We’Ced has really helped me bring my attention to all the things that do happen in Merced. In the long run, I want to inform more friends and peers about local events so more and more people can begin to grasp the idea that there are so many things that do go on in Merced.
