MANDEL CENTER FOR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

TREU-MART FELLOW FEATURE

Atunyese Herron, Cohort 3 Fellow

The following is an interview with a fellow from cohort three of the Treu-Mart Youth Development Fellowship Program. The Fellowship is a cooperative venture of the Treu-Mart Fund (a supporting organization of The Cleveland Foundation and The Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland) and the Mandel Center. The Fellowship Program is a nine-month experience for youth-serving professionals that both teaches and embodies the resiliency model of youth development - an asset-based paradigm for working with middle-school-age youth. This experience includes coaching, education, and peer support and reinforcement.

Q: What education and career path led you to the Treu-Mart Fellowship?

A: I have been working with children for the past seven years as a home-school instructor and certified tutor. For the past three years, I have worked as the Youth Development Director for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program. This has allowed me to focus on State and Federal academic and programmatic guidelines to meet the needs of children for the 21st Century. It was an honor to have been nominated for the Fellowship by the Executive Director of my agency and accepted by my peers. I hope to continue on this path and work to change legislation in the fight to protect our children.

Q: What have you gained from the Fellowship experience? What effect has this experience had on you and the work that you do?

A: What I've gained from the Fellowship experience is an in-depth knowledge of resiliency and increased networking opportunities. It has been a rewarding experience and extremely valuable.

I have incorporated many of the ideas and have designed programming to incorporate the resiliency model. The effect on me has been an understanding of new ideas about resiliency and youth development, as well as how to advocate for our children. In order to change a situation, we have to change ourselves.

Q: What advice do you have for future Treu-Mart Fellows? What would you tell them is the best way to get the most out of the program?

A: The best advice that I have is to appreciate the work of others. When you feel that you are out of ideas, the Fellowship allows you to lean on others who are in the same circumstance. Building relationships with others who share in your passion for working and helping children is invaluable.

Another invaluable tool is the notion of evaluating ourselves and our agencies to determine if we are doing the right things. In other words, to re-examine our programs and practices and make sure that they fit our mission.

Q: How do you envision the Fellowship experience will impact your future, both professionally and personally?

A: The Fellowship has had a direct and positive effect on my professional development. Being a fellow has allowed me to open up to new ideas and has exposed me to many intelligent and gifted individuals in the field. This experience has proven to be a real asset in my current position and will prove to advance my future career aspirations.

Q: What other interests, organizations, etc are you involved in?

A: Volunteering is a passion of mine. I am currently involved in tutoring at-risk youth serving in juvenile detention. It has been rewarding and enlightening to assist children with life skill development and to nurture them back to feeling valued and important.

I also work with The Ohio State University's College of Social Work in a pilot program known as the Ohio Community Collaboration Model for School Improvement. The model works with schools and the community to ensure high-quality instruction and curricula while simultaneously addressing the conditions that impact students' ability and motivation for learning.

Q: Anything else you would like to share with us about yourself and the Fellowship experience?

A: I am honored to have had this experience. It has allowed me to advance my personal and professional interests by exposing me to a far more global perspective of youth development. It has extended my outlook beyond conventional thinking and has broadened my relationships and resources in ways that I believe dramatically improve the quality of my life and work.