tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77495804143035338612024-03-14T08:33:29.257-07:00Power in the MiddlePower in the Middlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07232517835809856551noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7749580414303533861.post-57640139975614882182013-07-29T06:31:00.001-07:002013-07-29T06:31:28.537-07:00Reading the posts here from PIM girls warms my heart. Listening to them and learning about them through their words has given new meaning to Power in the Middle. I remember being 13, 14, 15 years old and feeling like I was an outcast. Not pretty enough, not witty enough, too shy and insecure for the popular crowd, I tried everything to fit it. Of course nothing worked because I tried too hard and I wasn't just me. These girls, my age then, are learning to just be themselves. They are loving young ladies who take one day at a time the best they can, no matter what happened yesterday and not knowing what tomorrow will bring. I wish I knew then what I know now - there's no secret - just put one foot in front of the other, every single day.Power in the Middlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07232517835809856551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7749580414303533861.post-68067384543748216202013-07-25T14:04:00.000-07:002013-07-25T14:15:18.852-07:00Living to Inspire<br />
As a former foster child in the foster care system and now a social worker, I can relate to the children that I service within the agency I work for, more than the average individual who works in the same field. I understand what it is like to live in a home where I have to get to know someone who I was not familiar with. Being apprehensive at first living in a strangers home, I always wondered if they genuinely cared for me. As time went on, I learned that some foster parents sincerely cared and some was just there for the money. Aside from dealing with foster parents, there were caseworkers after caseworkers and it was a hard for me to develop a relationship with anyone because they were changing too often. The other issue was being able to trust the workers because everything you say was held against you, which was the way I viewed it at the time. However, there were some who of had an open mind about who I am as an individual.<br />
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As a social worker working in the system with experience dating back to high school, I learned and begun to understand things I did not understand when I was in system. One of the major things I first learned was that is such a high turnover rate of case workers within the field of social work. The reason I got involved in working in the system at such a young age is I wanted to learn what the system was like from the inside. So when I was in high school and an opportunity became available to me as an intern, I jumped on it. I wanted to find a way where I could make a difference in families lives, especially teens. I wanted to find a way to encourage, motivate, and inspire those who I came in contact with. As my journey continues within the foster care system, I learn more and more. The more I learn, the more I can help the families I service. I can relate to the teens more because I have a better understanding of the system and how it works, outside of my experience as a former foster child. I like to consider myself as the unofficial advocate and many of the teens I have come into contact with, I always to talk to the and get to know who they are. This approach also helps me to develop a connection with them and after they get to know me, they know that I do not judge them for their mistakes but rather keep an open-mind when listening to them talk about their feelings, thoughts, and ideas. I like believe that they know that I will be someone they can come to no matter what the circumstances are that they are facing. I want to be their voice of reason and someone who inspires them by leading by example.<br />
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I want my life legacy to be more than a person who was a social worker, I want the people/children I come in contact with or touch deeply in life that I was someone who was for a better life, community, the people, and a wanted to make a difference. My aim in life is to always live to inspire!<br />
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<br />Power in the Middlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07232517835809856551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7749580414303533861.post-41411802361462804462013-07-25T13:53:00.005-07:002013-07-25T13:53:45.018-07:00Mis Tias <span style="font-size: large;">Mis tias (which means aunts in Spanish) are my everything and they inspire me to be a young lady. We can talk about anything, from my personal opinions, my inner thoughts and our family situations. They are my best friends and heroes. They are like my second mothers that I can count on for what I need. I really never had a mother and daughter bond with my own birth mother, which I should but I don't know why. Me and my mother don't have that relationship like I want to have with her. For example, we don't really communicate or ever be on the some page about a lot of things. That's the reason why I look up to my aunts because my aunts really listen to me and understand where I'm coming from. They are very educated and smart adults, I'm so elated to call them my aunts. One of my aunts are married and has kids. My other aunt has one kid. They treat me like their own child and that's what I like. I'm really proud to call them my tias. I'm honored and so fortunate to call them mis tias; to have them as my aunt's. I dedicate this to my wonderful, beautiful tias; they are my life and my second mothers. I love them both equally the same.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">by: A.S.</span>Power in the Middlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07232517835809856551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7749580414303533861.post-60257202186638482222013-07-23T13:56:00.005-07:002013-07-23T13:56:47.710-07:00<span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;">"Now is the time"<u> </u></span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"> by: Chantale A.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Now is the time to worship and pray.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia;">To see all the children go run and play.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia;">To see the smile and the elderly go.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia;">To make the rain into a rainbow.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia;">Now is the time to save the world.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia;">And sit in class to learn new words.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia;">To help the teachers fulfill their dreams.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia;">To see the students go on to gleam.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia;">Now is the time to learn new things.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia;">To teach and save every grin.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia;">To make and give and wait and receive.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia;">To honor god and have mercy.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Now is the time to make our own world </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">seem now.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia;">To honor Martin Luther King Jr.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia;">Who died trying to save lives for you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span>Power in the Middlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07232517835809856551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7749580414303533861.post-29655854228433961552013-07-23T13:43:00.005-07:002013-07-23T13:43:52.007-07:00<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When you think of siblings you would say that they are annoying, but to me I say that siblings are not annoying. Maybe not all of them because I do get along with my siblings. To me I think that it's an honor to have a sibling; sometimes even more than one! I can walk everywhere saying that I love my little brother. My little brother and I actually do get along unlike some who don't. When I think of my brother I think of going to the extreme to protect him from anything. I know that my brother and I will go through a lot of tough times but I'm wiling to be there for him at any cost. My little brother inspires me because I wouldn't want him to go into foster care like I am. </span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I remember one of the most exciting time of my life and that was when my brother was born. I remember when he first came home from the hospital. I was so excited! I waited outside for him and my mother! Before she could even get out the car, I went to get him; carried him inside and just kept on playing with him. I got attached to him and didn't want to let him go. I don't have any regrets with him just happiness all the time.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">- by Chantale A.</span>Power in the Middlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07232517835809856551noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7749580414303533861.post-89659102427855933782013-07-23T13:35:00.009-07:002013-07-23T13:50:45.767-07:00<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #e06666;"><b>Hi my name is Briana R., I am 17 years old and I love to read! I am in the Pajama Program with Graham Windham agency and we are currently reading The Skin I'm In by Sharon G. Flake. So far I like the book and I am excited to finish reading it. I recommend this book to teenagers in middle school or high school. It is a pretty easy book to read. The characters are believable and the story grabs the reader's attention. </b></span></h3>
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Power in the Middlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07232517835809856551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7749580414303533861.post-85299331712311675652013-07-19T09:24:00.001-07:002013-07-19T09:24:51.584-07:00The Ladies Three<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: blue;">It's meditation time</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: blue;">Sittin in my car</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: blue;">Ladies 3 came to mind</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: blue;">And you bought a few tears to my eyes</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: blue;">It's only been a minute</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: blue;">but doesn't take long to </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">See a heart</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: blue;">Feel a heart</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: blue;">know where a heart's comin from</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Yeah, I see !</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">So willin to share YOU</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Your time, your effort, your love</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: blue;">Yeah, I see!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: blue;">You love these precious souls</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">And their blessed to have you</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: blue;">You know who you are </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">The Ladies Three</span></div>
Power in the Middlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07232517835809856551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7749580414303533861.post-12377564936379225712013-07-17T14:26:00.006-07:002013-07-23T13:48:37.979-07:00the illness that makes me strongOn December 15, 2012 I found out I was diagnosed with diabetes. At first I was laughing because I thought it was a joke but after looking back at the doctor I realized it wasn't a joke. This was hard for me because i was only 14 years old when all of this was happening. I felt different from everyone else because I couldn't eat anything I wanted to eat. It wasn't fair but i got over it.Sometimes I wondered how did I even get diabetes and I was so healthy (at least that's what I thought). For most people who don't know much about diabetes they think that having diabetes means you get lots of attention but you don't. It only means you have to use a meter to check your blood sugar, inject insulin and take pills like a old person. I was in the hospital for a week and when I got back to school I was to embarrassed to tell my friends or anyone else because I thought I would be picked on. The only friend that knows at school is my best friend Summer Winters. She cares so much just like my cousin Jenaye. When they see me with sweets they would take it away. I'm just glad to know that someone actually cares about me.<br />
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Power in the Middlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07232517835809856551noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7749580414303533861.post-83741793011793799092013-07-17T14:05:00.004-07:002013-07-17T14:05:16.836-07:00Who am I Who am I? I honestly don't know.I guess I'm just a normal girl without a real home.Although I face pain everyday I love to laugh, scream and shout but no one likes to see me pout. If you wanna see me happy entertain me.If you wanna see me cry break my heart but if you wanna love me never neglect me Power in the Middlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07232517835809856551noreply@blogger.com3