Members of the New Opportunities for Innovative Student Engagement program gathered on Thursday September 12th to launch NOISE 2013. We started by getting to know each other, asking one another questions about friendship, important role models in our lives, and inventions that inspire us. I was surprised that within the diverse group of people that NOISE brings together all the people spoke about friendship in a similar way: the qualities they valued most in a friend included trustworthiness, respect, and humour. This is an important question about friendship because it tells us about what qualities we want to make sure are a part of NOISE, on behalf of participants and staff.
Last year’s experiences and results reflect these qualities well. Projects like Jane and Finch Onstage and Dribble for Change could not have been carried out without a high level of trust and respect between the members of the pod. These projects involved taking personal risks and sometimes putting oneself on the spot. The quality of humour was evident in all the laughter that permeated NOISE events and pod meetings, including the launch of NOISE 2013.
After getting to know each other, students held group discussions to tease out people’s burning questions about NOISE. Most people were concerned with what kinds of challenges they will face in the program and what strategies are available to overcome them. All former NOISE participants acknowledged that there are a number of challenges along the way, but the reality of NOISE is that students have the opportunity to develop their abilities and take risks in a very supportive context. Social action involves taking risks.
Last year I was in a pod that held a Kind Kitchen event. We came to a place where we were stuck in our planning; we had the idea but lacked a concrete sense of how to make it happen. Rebecca helped us understand that often with social action one needs to work with community partners. She connected us with the Driftwood Community Centre which already has established a variety of programs and a good space that supports many people. In this context, our social action project could thrive.
After questions and delicious food, everyone was divided into their new pods and happily constructing their group profiles. Students laughed and got to know each other as they explored some of the key questions they will have to work with as they proceed in the program. These include: What dreams or goals do you have for your pod or community? What is a skill that you can contribute to the group? What are some challenges you face? Through the NOISE program, students will develop their academic and civic engagement skills in a group environment (after participating in NOISE any kind of of group work will never phase you again).
One exciting aspect of the program is that the creation of the social action projects, which the program is geared towards, comes directly from youth experience and knowledge. Students are required to think about themselves, their goals, skills, passions, knowledge, and experience: What do you feel strongly about? Where do you come from? Where do you want to go? As a NOISE participant, everything you need to know to participate in the program is already inside you. The challenge is to bring it to light in the group context.
NOISE is not just about giving youth the opportunity to develop academic and civic engagement skills, it is a chance for their voices to be heard. Through NOISE, youth perspectives enter into the university; they enter into the community through the social action projects, and they begin to travel into the larger socio-political world in Toronto. Projects like NOISE send messages to politicians, policy-makers, and others in positions of power about youth perspectives.
By Anna Tennent-Riddell, MSW Graduate Assistant