Ullucci Pathologizing the Poor...

In reading the article I felt like one of the main big points that Ulluci makes is that poverty can't just be identified with one thing. There are all types of factors that come into play when talking about poverty. It can be because of work, the community, not being able to find a job etc. There are so many reasons and facts that come to play when talking about poverty. So we reach this point where some teachers don't see the point in trying to teach some students, or they classify them as lazy, or blame it on their parents and so on... but Ullucci wants to change that, he wants to change the way we see poverty and break barrios that separates the "them" from the "us."

Poverty matters because it effects the way a child is able to learn or shows what the child already knows. Many children who come from some type of poverty have struggles at home and like Ullucci says there are different reasons while the child is where they are in life. Maybe no medicare to get a therapist for their child, healthcare, to take their children o their doctor, some parents work one of two jobs and don't really have time to teach their children, there are language barriers. 

So even in a youth development space it can impact, some children desire to learn but don't have the support or the drive to go forward. Other times its the resources that are needed for them to go on. So even youth development were going to face children and youth who are struggling with poverty, some will need help in understanding and having some guidance and its good for us to be that support. To help out and to be able to connect them to some resources. 

I personally was raised in poverty, I had all kinds of problems, I was the first born child, and my mom had recently moved from honduras to america so she didn't know a lick of English. My dad was Born in NY but raised in Puerto Rico until he was 18. So he knew a bit of both languages, but he never finished high school so he struggled with words, spelling and writing. my dad worked in a jewelry company called style craft and my mom found little jobs here and there. Although my mother graduated in Honduras and even had a minor degree in secretary it wasn't worth much here because of the language barrier. on top of all that my parents were pastors so they barely had time to sit with their children and teach them or help them learn. My dad was always on the run helping other families and members of the church who were in need. The majority of my childhood i spent having to figure out a lot on my own and helping my mom and dad by translating a lot of the school informations and papers that they sent home. on top of that there was a time where my mom used to do packaging and ticketing at home, with jewelry and key chains and my brothers and I would help her. So we would be up until late helping her get a box finished so we could have some money. That's why we were tired for school and sometimes didn't finish our homework. Because my parents couldn't find adequate childcare my brothers and I were always sent to a grandmothers house and uncles house and by the age of 13 i was taking care of my brothers at home. Then my younger brother was diagnosed with dyslexia, we didn't have the proper resources or knew where to get help or it was a struggle teaching my brother how to reach. and because both of my parents struggled reading and writing in english they used to make me sit down and help him. So his help was whats considered second hand because not even i knew that much. There was so much that i wish I knew while growing up, things like taking time to know schools and which one to go to, things like help with college, and finding help. but I somehow managed to make it, I am happy for the few teachers and people in my life who had made a reasonable impact in my life and help me. They tried to connect me to certain resources and help me go on in life. My local library had helped me millions of times and if they knew something could be for my benefit they would tell me about it. I was tutored in the library, when I had difficulty with certain subjects. 

I know this is long and sorry for rambling but I felt like this article really resonated with me, Im latina and from poverty. There were times i didn't think I would make, even in college I almost gave up, until I met certain advisor's, and professors who didn't want to give up on me. They helped me find the resources i needed to come back and finish school and honestly I'm grateful for that. I can honestly say that a teacher who cares and tried to take time to teach you really does impact someone. You don't know how many times I thought i wasn't going to make it and some teacher heard me out and tried to help me out as best as they could. Those are the people that help me move forward every day because they had hope in me and saw someone who was worth while. Someone who could hopefully in the future rise above the situation she was in and Im thankful for it. 

I think if i stay in the city of providence and work in  this community i may be working with an urban

area? but i still feel like it will be mixed with a little bit of everything from urban, to suburban, white, latino, LGBTQ and so on. Because even here in the city of providence there is a mix of all kinds of children. Me from personal experience being in New urban arts we got to wok with all types of children, so I feel like it will be a mix. Poverty can affect you development in being able to learn and being able to have the desire to continue on. But if we as youth workers, and youth development graduates can take time to help out, hear them out, try to connect them to resources. These young men, women and children won't feel so alone. They will supported and know that at least someone cares and has their back. and when you take time to help them with homework, help them try to understand a concept, they carry that with them wherever they go.