End of the Year HYLP at Esperanza

Wednesday, May 21st

Today was a special day for Esperanza in that it was the end of the year celebration for Esperanza's High School Youth Leadership Program. The celebration was from five to nine in Esperanza's basement, and featured yummy food, cake, ice cream, punch, games, a photo booth, and lots of fun. A lot of time this morning was spent helping Esperanza decorate the basement to get ready for the event. I worked with Melissa and one other woman from Esperanza to help set up the photo booth, which turned into a pretty big challenge when the green screen paper we were going to use didn't work. We ended up using a tablecloth, coatrack, chairs, and binder clips to put together a backdrop for the pictures that didn't look completely horrendous.

When I wasn't helping them set up for the party this morning, I was working on contacting some various community service organizations in the community in order to follow up with them as to whether or not they could provide volunteer work for students this summer in Esperanza's Summer Youth Employment Program. In the afternoon, I sorted through papers that Melissa had accrued through the year, and helped sort them into piles based on the programs that they are applicable for and the subjects that they cover, so that Melissa can be organized for the start of next year's High School Youth Leadership Program and Saturday Academy. I also started sorting the papers that students had done through the year into piles based on student so that they can get them back at the end of the year.

When it was time for the party to start, I went with Melissa to pick up two students who lived nearby and needed rides to come, and then helped do last minute things for the party. I think that all of the students had a lot of fun at the end of the year celebration and I really enjoyed being a part of helping Esperanza get ready for the party. Working with Esperanza so far has helped me to realize all the little things that are so important in being able to successfully connect with students.