Bills need to get paid

At first I had do idea where I should do my first service hours, so I asked a couple of my friends to see what they were doing and if I could tag along. I tagged along with Austin and we visited his moms work. There, we found he moms friend, Susan Reyes. She helped us get through this project. We had to see what judgement cases they had around and had to help put it into their data base system. We were given sheets of paper that had the judgement cases on them, and we had to go to the Alemeda County website and put each case where it properly needed to be. We saw which cases still needed to be paid, and the ones that haven't.

The things that we did was too look over the reports and highlight the cases that haven't been paid off yet. After highlighting the cases, we had to input the case numbers onto the computer, which took hours to do. Doing this may seem a little bit boring, which at first, it was. But we learned that us helping out will help Susan was really going to make things run more smoothly. Without them paying the rent for their businesses, the people at Chamber of commerce had the right to make them leave and lease the building to a company that can actually pay them.
This was a really fun experience for both Austin and I because we got to see how many people haven't paid off their rent and is close to being forced to leave. We got to learn that this job is not easy, you need practice and the patience to put all the numbers into the computer and highlighting what needed to be highlighted. Even thoigh it was a little bit boring, I was happy to get all of the peperwork done. Now I really know what its like to work as a paralegal, and what its like everyday for them. Truely, this was a great place to do some volunteer work, but I don't think I'll be coming back to this place for my next volunteer hours. I'll have to see what else is around.

Keeping Formation

This time when we went to Halau, we taught them the formation for the routine they were going to perform for there recital.  Since Alicia already did dancing she knew the routine and she had to teach me before we went in and tried to teach the other ones. It seems really easy all you have to do is move your hips but if you don’t do that or can’t dance like me it’s a really big challenge. I had a pretty good idea of the dance but it was still difficult.

When we got there it was pretty easy because even though I wasn’t completely sure on everything I could fallow what Alicia was doing. Since we practiced for two and a half hours we took a half hour break after like an hour and a half and it makes you super sore. The girls didn’t feel it as bad as I did because they have been doing it for awhile but it still hurts like it really keeps them in shape. We mostly taught the younger girls for this session and the hardest part was making sure they kept the formation and that they would know that the older girls would come in later that’s when it got confusing for them. So we would keep taking breaks to explain to them and then Alicia or I would stand where the older ones would be and the other would teach the younger ones what they needed to do.

By the end of this practice I know I was defiantly aching, and knew a lot more about how hard it is to dance. It really keeps you moving and in shape, it was really fun to do this because even though I didn’t know all of it or I would mess up we would find ways to laugh about it. The little girls would say “That’s not how, like this.” And they would come over and I would be fallowing them. Its really fun to teach someone and then they teach you something else back.

Back to the Past!

            For the second volunteer work we volunteered at our elementary's school after school program called, "Adventure Time." We went there as kids ourselves so it was great to come back and interact with the kids and entertain them. I first assisted the workers there by passing out snacks and water to the kids at each table. After snack time was over we had to dismiss each table by how quiet they were the entire time. Once they were all dismissed they then began to do their own things around the black top and playground outside.

           Once snack time was over there were kids running outside to play, kids inside to play with games or toys, and some kids that just did homework. I helped a few of the kids with their homework because they were confused by a problem or couldn't understand that lesson that day. I then went outside where a couple kids wanted me to throw a football out to them as they ran and caught it. A couple hours later many kids left and it was only Me, Ron, and the staff there. Before we left we talked to the staff about our time there and told them about how we were there as kids.

           Volunteering at Adventure Time was a great experience for us. It was great to see everyone we remember from our elementary school days and it was good to talk to all of them again. What we've learned from this was that it's always great to help kids out when they need it and helping entertain these kids as they wait for their parents to pick them up. How this effects the social issue is because a lot of parents these days need to work later and don't have a babysitter to watch their kids. With being at Adventure Time adults can watch over their kids and help the kids out with homework while they wait for their parents to arrive to pick them up.

The color on our skin.

For my last blog post i decided to volunteer at my little sisters elementary school. She goes to Mattos Elemtary school, I went their for my 4, 5, and 6 year. When i was their I had noticed that their wasnt alot of diversity. I was the only first generation Mexican American at school that actually spoke spanish. They mayority of the kids where white, asian, or middle eastern. When i was their i left very out of place because i was so used to the diversity of Cabrillo Elementary school and Grimmer Elementary School.

Thats why when I heard about Mattos' first Multicultural Day, I felt like I really wanted to help out because I wanted to show my culture. I went dressed in a typical Mexican dress I had worn for my own Multicultural Week. For the Mexican booth my mom had made Tamales and Horchata from scratch.

This was the first time I saw all the different diversities that werent there as a child. Every booth had their flag, mutiple items, and a question for people to answer when they came around. Mexicos question was, "What is the average amount a dollar is worth in pesos?" The choices was A) 10, B) 8 1/3, C) 12, and D) none of the above. The correct answer was C, not alot of people got it right at first they mostly went with A or D.

The other booths at the Mattos Elementary Multicultural Day.

A lot of people seemed to be surprised about the answer. They were also surprised to know why the eagle was on the Mexican flag. I had a great time. I think helping out was important because its good for kids to be exposed to the other cultures there are in their community. Especially when they are used to being around only a certain race. It was a beautiful experiance having such young kids take charge of something like this. By doing this kids get to learn that we are all the same regardless of the where we come from or what the color on our skin is.

Final Round, Tutoring, Great Disappointment

Photo given by Vivian of students at the tutoring.

 Since I don't have enough time to do Math Tutoring, I decided to go and tutor at Walters Jr. High with Vivian and Kammy. This is going to be my fourth time doing tutoring and I think it's a great idea to help students who are struggling for their education but can't really afford to go after school class.
 When I went to do tutoring at Walters Jr. High, I was expecting the students to act same as the people in High School tutoring but they weren't much interest in doing their homework and somehow they seems distracted. Every time I explain them something, they forgot what I just said and I had to repeat again and again that I was about to get mad at them but decided not to. Most of them were pretty distracted with their phones, friends and playing whenever I wasn't looking. I don't really know why they decided to show up with the tutoring but I think they were just wasting their time. Some kids are mature enough to use their time wisely doing their homework and when they had a question with their homework it only took a few moment to tell them what to do and they understand quickly. I saw Vivian and Kammy talking with other students telling about the experiences they might be facing when they get to High School, I decided not to join with the conversation since I don't really know how to talk about those.
 I was glad that I didn't do volunteering at this school for my previous blog and I am even more glad that this is going to be my last blog. I realized that the it has huge difference between 8th grade and 9th grade with they way they are acting that I find it more interesting in tutoring for High School.

The 4th Quarter

4th day of volunteering but like the amst students said this is not over. We still got more things to do and more places to volunteer because amst teached us that helping out is a good thing to make a change in society and in our selves. That hopefully us will still help eventhough the project is over. We need to be role models for others and help them became a better succesful person. It can be  a little thing or a big thing that we could make a change on someones live and that will make us a better person.

These 4th day of volunteering was fun because we met some people that came visit their relatives. We saw how they spended the time together and how they look happy. Like on the case of  mark that came to see his mother and how happy she felt seen him. And just like him their was other people comming to visit their love ones. And i felt that at the end of the day this 4th day was the best one because everyone enjoy these day.

These experience is all i wanted because it tough me many things and to appreciate the people around me. That we need to love our close ones and its always good to meet new people.That we could change anyones live just be doing little things just like helping them. And that school should have clases like amst that teaches us  to became a better person and help others just like one day someone is going to help you. And finally i waant to thanks mr shawn and mr speckles for having amst that was an amazing experience for me and many other students.

Mark with his family

place were people enjoyed their day with their fams

Teaching the Next Generation and Moving On

From left to right: Raymond Lau and Randy Lau. Luckily it stopped raining so they went outside to do homework, well it's the last time I'll be helping them and their friends with homework until the fall. 

So once again, I was rejected from Brier Elementary's Bronco Brainiacs. Well this time, I wasn't surprised. It is the end of the school year and there's not many school work left for the students to do anyways. Also because it is the end of the school year, everyone is trying to jam their hours in. So after being shot down, I just went to Walters Jr. High again to help my brothers and his friends with their homework. This time I brought Kammy and Ye along with me. I assumed that they just got bored with their previous volunteer work. Maybe that's the reason why we were shot down from Brier, I brought two more people with me. Oh well, it doesn't matter, we got into Walters anyways. Once again I chose to work as tutor because there are students out there who cannot afford the time and money for a private tutor or to go into for-profit after school programs. With the current economic situation today, students are unable to sign up for the programs that require money and there are students who need the academic help. There are a few free/non-profit after school programs here in Fremont, many of them being programs within the school. So I choose to work in these non-profit programs to spread the news that communities need to start free after school programs as well in order to benefit the students who need the academic support and help they deserve.

When we went to greet my brothers, they were surprised I brought my cousin Kammy, and my friend, Ye, to the program. At first they were convinced that I was going to bring a gang to beat them up, but I rejected the idea. It had been raining earlier today, but by the time we go to Walters, it was already sunny. Sunny enough for the kids to go outside to do their homework. Since there was only about a week of school left, there wasn't really much homework for the students. The 8th graders were pretty distracted, worried about promotion and the promotion dance coming up. The 7th graders like my brothers, they didn't seem to care, they just wanted to get the work done and over with. Due to the lack of homework, all we did was help my brothers and their friends finish up pre-algebra homework and we helped them study. It was pointless for me to help my brothers study in history and English since they know I'm an English fanatic. They didn't want to hear me go on and on over essays and whatnot. History was a different level since they were studying world history so I was no use to them. I was only useful for science and math sadly. In the end, after the homework and studying, we just interacted with the kids. I knew some of the kids were worried about promotion so I decided to give them some advice, like I did last time. "Promotion is a pain. We have to sit in complete alphabetical order of the entire 8th grade," one boy complained. They recently got the news of promotion rehearsals. I remembered back then, and I agree, it was a drag. "Well think about it this way, you won't have to worry about rehearsals again until high school graduation or if you're performing in an event in high school next year," I reassured them. The boys looked at me expressionless and then carried on to talking about their own matters. I guess they thought the reassurance wasn't useful or needed. Sometimes I forget that we have an age gap, causing it hard to communicate with the younger generation. I'll admit it, I don't talk to my brothers that often unless needed to and I don't talk to Kammy's brother, my other cousin, that often either because of our age differences. Although the gap is around three to four years and doesn't seem much, it actually is. So I decided to talk with my brothers' friends instead. One of them, Andrew, was just talking about anime or Pokemon with Randy. Talking to my brothers would be pointless so I decided to talk to Andrew. "Do you think you'll be joining this program again in eighth grade? I mean, last year in junior high and here you are, staying after school to do homework," I asked him, wondering if the seventh graders would be joining again this fall. "I'm not sure, it depends on my parents. But I wouldn't really care since I'm here to get help on my homework anyways. And as a bonus, I'm with my friends too so it doesn't really matter. It's not going to suck all that bad," he answered. So some students wouldn't mind being in homework programs again as long as their friends were with them.

It was time to go and I begin to wonder to myself, "So are kids really here because they want to or because their parents want them to?" I know in some households, some families cannot afford to hire a babysitter or they don't trust their children to be at home alone so they would sign their kids up in after school programs just to keep their kids there until they're done with work. Or sometimes, parents just want their kids to get the homework help while the kids don't want to go at all. It all boils down to free will or forced against their will to join these programs. I know that some of the kids didn't want to be at the program, as I was helping some students with their homework, I overheard some students complaining that they could be doing this and that other than doing homework, stuck at school still, past school hours. However some other students, like my brothers Raymond and Randy as well as their friend Andrew, they acknowledge that they got signed up for a reason, and that reason was that they needed the academic help in certain subjects. So they just do what they normally do, do their homework, study a bit, and with a bit of extra time, they go hang out or play or chat on the fields. As this will be my last time working here before summer breaks loose, I felt proud that I was teaching the next generation and I felt reassured that the next generation isn't as clueless as some people may claim them to be. Though I do worry for some students who don't seem to be putting in any effort, I am reassured that at least a few students understand my cause for working here. Now I can look back and think how I made a difference in a few students' minds and changed their views on non-profit after school programs.