Family Support SystemsReport and Presentation

Part 4: Individual Reflection Paper

Course name: Understanding and Communicating With

Families

To: Sheila Sullivan

Date: Nov. 22, 2011

Student name: Yunfan Jiang (Fiona)

Individual Reflection Paper

Visiting Jane/Finch Community and Family Centre is my first experience to know how this

kind of agency helps the youth to resolve a variety of problems in their life. As we know, when

children enter adolescence and youth, they experience a series of physiological and

psychological changes, such as rapid physical growth, sexual maturation, moodiness, strong

desire for independence, etc. “Some young people do not adapt well to the new situations,

demands or responsibilities of adolescence and respond in ways that are unhealthy” (Robert

V.Kail & Theresa Zolner, 2009). As a result, some common problems, such as drugs, sexual

health, violence, and depression, occurred during this stage and bring a lot of negative effects

to the youth’s life. To solve these problems, this agency provides a variety of corresponding

solutions to meet their special needs at this vulnerable stage. I think this kind of service is so

important to the youth. They really need this kind of help to lead them to a successful life.

Another group visited an agency named the Canadian National Institute for the Blinds (CNIB).

This agency provides services for people who are visually impaired or partially sighted. The

visual impairment brings a lot of inconvenience to their life. They face a variety of challenges

and barrier. Fortunately, this agency has a lot of resources, such as CNIB library and CNIB

stores, to help these people to solve their problems. They provide counseling and support to

convince people this visual impairment is not the end of the world and help them re-build the

confidence.

There are also a group’s members who have visited an agency named WoodGreen

Community Services. One of the programs provided by this agency is for single mothers who

are qualified to access their services. This agency provides 2-year free post-secondary

education for these single mothers. This service is really useful for those single mothers who

are in predicament, and can help them gain life skills. After they graduate, their life can change

a lot.

According to the experience I have learned, I find that most agencies mainly focus on some

vulnerable groups which need special support. They actively help these people and also seek

support from individuals, organizations even the whole society. Many hands make light work.

Therefore, we each also have the responsibility to do our best to provide world-wide available

resources to help these people overcome the difficulties. As an early Childhood Educator, I

know that early childhood education plays an important role in child development and has

significant influences on their future life. I will take full advantage of my professional skills to

build a nurturing environment for children. As a global citizen, I will provide as much support as

possible for people who need help. I know different groups have different needs. We should

learn to think from their perspective and therefore find corresponding and effective solutions for

them. I believe I can make a difference in their life as long as I really take actions instead of

just think about that.