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Foot Soldiers Soliciting Donations on Subway — Brooklynian

Foot Soldiers Soliciting Donations on Subway

alecorock
alecorock
edited November -1 in Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Bed-Stuy
I was on the subway in the Bornx last week, and a group of young people dressed in fatigues (clearly exhausted and frustrated) walked through the train asking for donations so that they could raise 5,000 dollars to go on a camping trip. They were all African-American.

In the same car a group of 5 white and asian young people of the same age were wearing their New York Restoration Project t-shirts. While the Foot Soldiers asked for money, offering some kind of scratch-off raffle, the Restoration project kids explained to a curious older woman how they were learning about landscaping and ecology through a restoration project in NYC parks.They ignored the FootSoldiers when they approached them.

As a veteran teacher and non-profit manager, who lives and works in Bed-Stuy I think this story resonates on a number of levels. Clearly- there was an element of prejudice in how the FootSoldiers were received, but I was also disturbed that the program would send young people all over the city soliciting money. I would also question the wisdom of the fatigue outfit and the basis of the program. Why are we training our young people to clean and ask for money instead of providing them with practical work skills and a sense of accomplishment?

Comments

  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    ....I'm not a fan of JROTC and only know about Foot Soldiers as a result of the links that follow, but the organizers seem to feel they are giving their charges practical work skills and accomplishment.

    http://www.brooklynian.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=497597&highlight=&sid=ebd295419f13380bdc494b8ac4c2ea9a

    http://www.tigerbattalion.com/home.shtml

    ....I wonder if the kids were asking for money out of their own, um, initiative. As you know, lots of kids didn't get SYEP slots this summer.
  • modsquad2.0
    modsquad2.0

    Subject: Re: Foot Soldiers Soliciting Donations on Subway

    Alecorock wrote: . Why are we training our young people to clean and ask for money instead of providing them with practical work skills and a sense of accomplishment?
    I'm not sure what you mean by that. What job skill can a 16 year old learn that will serve him in the future. I spent my entire teenage years cutting grass raking leaves, shoveling snow etc. The work ethic I learned serves me today and the sense of accomplishment was always present (no I don't rake leaves for a living!). The problem I see is these kids are told that menial labor is to be looked down on and are forced to remain idle because there is no money for a high falutin' jobs program with the usual bells and whistles coming down the pike from City Hall.
  • alecorock
    alecorock

    Subject: Re: Foot Soldiers Soliciting Donations on Subway

    modsquad2.0 wrote: [quote=Alecorock]. Why are we training our young people to clean and ask for money instead of providing them with practical work skills and a sense of accomplishment?
    I'm not sure what you mean by that. What job skill can a 16 year old learn that will serve him in the future.ll.

    Skills? I used to work for a program that provided young people with internships in Advertising, Finance, Music Industry, Non-profits, Hospitals etc. I was at the ER the other day and there was a kid from Midwood in the triage learning about nursing. The list goes on and on.

    As someone who has worked as a janitor I can safely say that I learned very little from the experience. Relying on your body to earn a living is a short game. You're going to break down at some point.

    I'm glad that you learned a work ethic from your labor, but unfortunately young people are going to be competing with kids who have had professional internships before they reach college. Why would we design programs that don't provide them with the same opportunities when the city council and private grants money is out there to fund them?
  • homeowner
    homeowner
    I think its a two-step issue. If a kid is coming from an environment where 9-5 work is not the norm, I think before you worry about skills based employment they need to learn HOW to work. This is the basics of getting up everyday, getting to work on time, working a full-day and being responsible for their work product. Things like

    Once a kid has those concepts down, or if a kid is coming from an environment where that is the norm, then they can move into a skills based employment setting where they learn other important items such as how to dress and behave in a workplace, what it takes to perform certain types of jobs, and actual job specific skills.

    In my mind this breaks down into manual type labor for younger kids (say 12-15 or 7th to 10th grade) and skills based labor for older teens and young adults (16-22 or 11th grade through college). The problem is that for middle and upper middle class parents know exactly what it take to get their kids ahead so they are getting them jobs and work expericence using their contacts at younger and younger ages. Working class folks usually don't have the kinds of contacts to get their kids into jobs and internships and they end up with kids competing for programs like JobCorps, Foot Soldiers, and various low-wage, non-skilled employment (food service, retail, etc.)
  • stooplady
    stooplady
    FYI...I have worked hard physically AND in the corporate world. Who says that only physical labor works you down. I actually "wore out" in the corporate world. It is more about what one's approach and attitude toward "work" is (yes, a cliche but true).The attitude comes from our family, our media, our education system, our politicians, but most of all, it falls on the child/young adult to somehow find a mentor somewhere to help. Mentors are not always available ( I didn't have one) so sometimes it is a quick wit or the knowledge that a job is just a job but the family or some other outside interest is more important.

    Believe it or not, whether I am picking tomatoes, collecting the garbage, cleaning a hospital, analyzing data for IPO, sewing a garment or driving a bus, I have an onslaught of false images on TV, the movies and...the net.

    If I saw a group of young people asking for cash on the subway -- or, anyone, for that matter -- I would think "buyer beware."

    Although I might be worried that they may be punished for not bringing in the bacon.

    We all live in a big city but withing this city are multitudes of neighborhoods and within each neighborhood are cultures. Some people are just trying to do the best that they can with what they are exposed. Hopefully the "fatigue kids" will receive a reward somewhere along the line. Good night.
  • modsquad2.0
    modsquad2.0

    Subject: Re: Foot Soldiers Soliciting Donations on Subway

    Alecorock wrote: I was at the ER the other day and there was a kid from Midwood in the triage learning about nursing. The list goes on and on.
    The list goes on and on? I don't think so. Like you say, "a kid", just one solitary kid.
    Why would we design programs that don't provide them with the same opportunities when the city council and private grants money is out there to fund them?
    I can't even imagine what money you're talking about. Are you implying that except for our lazy and corrupt politicians not doing their job that there's bags and bags of money out there just waiting to push every underprivileged kid into the 21st century.
    Please to see whynot's recent post:
    http://www.brooklynian.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=58634
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    Many folks perceive the present rate of unemployment among those under 25 as an "emergency". And, we fear an entire generation may reach age 25 without ever having worked, with really bad consequences.

    I predict there is going to be a lot of "creativity" (some of it misguided) by those in Youth Services who see the present situation as an emergency.

    Please see the "whynot's place to fret about youth employment" thread

    http://www.brooklynian.com/~brooklyn/forums/viewtopic.php?t=57295&view=next&sid=f9a762a7e2a4567a0d9eb3a79a5f35da
  • alecorock
    alecorock

    Subject: Re: Foot Soldiers Soliciting Donations on Subway

    modsquad2.0 wrote: [quote=Alecorock] I was at the ER the other day and there was a kid from Midwood in the triage learning about nursing. The list goes on and on.
    The list goes on and on? I don't think so. Like you say, "a kid", just one solitary kid.
    Why would we design programs that don't provide them with the same opportunities when the city council and private grants money is out there to fund them?
    I can't even imagine what money you're talking about. Are you implying that except for our lazy and corrupt politicians not doing their job that there's bags and bags of money out there just waiting to push every underprivileged kid into the 21st century.
    Please to see whynot's recent post:
    http://www.brooklynian.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=58634

    Albert Vann had 581,000 in his budget for discretionary funds which generally go to local non-profits. That's part of the money I am talking about, but you could visit the Foundation Center and look into the private funding that's out there. Clearly there is less than there used to be, but there's money out there. The Footsoldiers aren't paying their rent through scratch ticket solicitations. I'm arguing that the program could better utilize the funding, but if people really think that throwing kids in faitgues, giving them a broom and sending them on the subway to beg for money qualifies as a Youth Program it's clear why we are in the situation in the first place. Stop lowering expectations, and trotting out these tired 19th century Booker T Washington ideas about teaching the value of labor. Shortsighted and conservative.
  • whatchuwant
    whatchuwant
    $5K to go camping!?!?!?
  • tytanium
    tytanium

    Subject: Re: Foot Soldiers Soliciting Donations on Subway

    Alecorock wrote:
    I'm arguing that the program could better utilize the funding, but if people really think that throwing kids in faitgues, giving them a broom and sending them on the subway to beg for money qualifies as a Youth Program it's clear why we are in the situation in the first place. Stop lowering expectations, and trotting out these tired 19th century Booker T Washington ideas about teaching the value of labor. Shortsighted and conservative.
    Have you been to the Organizations Website? Do you know details about the Youth Program?

    In short, the Foot Soldiers are a group of teens hired to clean the properties of home owners in selected neighborhoods in brooklyn. The home owners subscribe to the service (garbage to curb, snow removal, clean front of property, etc.) Their subscription pays the teens who work after school from 3 to 7. 3 to 7 is usually a time when teens are free; free to do things unproductive or counterproductive to their success (crime, sex, bad behavior etc). Trying to keep the teens in school and out of trouble, those are the type of teenagers the Foot Soldiers are dealing with.

    The organizations "usual" fundraising tactic isn't "begging" on the subway. However during the summer the organization enrolls/hires summer youth teens. Summer youth teens are usually unfamiliar with the organization, its structure, rules and staff. This is the reason for the week long camping trip. The trip has an attendance of 30 to 50 teens, more than half are summer youth teenagers. The budget for the camping trip is $10K (camping site, tents, transportation and food), at the time you encountered the teens they or the organization may have already raised $5K through other methods.

    Teens enrolled in Foot Soldiers are usually teens in danger of dropping out of High School, have little hope for a successful future, don't have a supporting family etc. So their starting point is a few steps behind the teenagers they were being compared to or an average teenager for that matter.

    Its fine to speak on what you seen, but it seems you added your own opinions based on first impression.
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    Titanium, welcome and nice post. I couldn't agree more.

    http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2008/11/29/2008-11-29_employment_program_sends_the_foot_soldie.html

    At risk of inflating my ego even more, I will reference a similar conversation we had on this topic, and my my brilliant quote (sarcasm)

    http://www.brooklynian.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=497597&highlight=&sid=ebd295419f13380bdc494b8ac4c2ea9a


    Wed Dec 03, 2008 9:22 pm EST
    whynot_31 wrote: remember, youth programs compete with OCFS jail. In other words, they may not offer what you aspire your child to accomplish ...but they may offer far more than where some youth are headed.
  • alecorock
    alecorock

    Subject: Re: Foot Soldiers Soliciting Donations on Subway

    Teens enrolled in Foot Soldiers are usually teens in danger of dropping out of High School, have little hope for a successful future, don't have a supporting family etc. So their starting point is a few steps behind the teenagers they were being compared to or an average teenager for that matter.

    Its fine to speak on what you seen, but it seems you added your own opinions based on first impression.

    No- I've been to the website and I read the Daily News piece, and I have been swayed. I think that the best we can expect of the children of our community is that they don't shoot one another or sell drugs. You're right! Give them a broom and something to do while kids from Park Slope learn how to actually run the society. This is how the class structure gets reinforced- with lower expectations couched as feel good stories. Pathetic.
  • foolmeonce
    foolmeonce
    find no faults with the philosophy of Booker T. Washington. Do think Sigmund (freaky) Freud was a pervert. Weber and Marx....pure nutjobs.

    back to the children..foot soldiers....
    If these "foot soldiers" had 4 year college degrees the doors would still be shut in their faces. Lets not act like its not what it really is.
    Nobody will hire black youth unless its some type of subservient labor or unmarketable skills. Many blacks in "post racial" corporate america don't have hiring authority. Many whites will overlook these "dangerous" black boys first.

    All of the black interns (some college students) where I work have been assigned to the file room - stacking boxes. The white interns are assigned desk jobs where they WILL learn an employable skill.
    These type of situations occur throughtout history...if you care to acknowledge it.
  • tytanium
    tytanium

    Subject: Re: Foot Soldiers Soliciting Donations on Subway

    Alecorock wrote:

    I think that the best we can expect of the children of our community is that they don't shoot one another or sell drugs. You're right! Give them a broom and something to do while kids from Park Slope learn how to actually run the society. This is how the class structure gets reinforced- with lower expectations couched as feel good stories. Pathetic.
    You have to start somewhere. The fact is, no matter how politically incorrect it may sound, teens in certain neighborhoods are more likely to; not finish High School, in up in prison, not go to college, never earn over X amount of $ a year legally etc. We can't act like this doesn't exist. To keep comparing these teens to other teens in other neighborhoods is a different issue. They are not the same, aren't from the same class, family structure, aren't suited to take advantage of the same opportunities etc.

    And if the best we could expect is shooting each other or selling drugs, programs like this wouldn't exist. Programs like this believe these teens could do more. Did you watch the YouTube videos? Did you know Foot Soldiers is just one aspect of the organization? Foot Soldiers one of the only youth organizations that employs teens from 14 to 17. Its not a McDonalds Job, teens who work at PR-G (Foot Soldiers being a aspect of the organization) aren't just paid, they must go through the organizations other programs which teaches (Urban Community, Sales/Fundraising, Police Confrontation, Life Prep, Health and Wellness, Martial Arts, Organize Community Service projects etc........and Foot Soldiers).

    Teens enrolled gain over 120 community service hours towards high school service & elective credits, gain references for college applications, 96% graduate high school, they are required to get their State ID, learn basic personal accounting and money management skills, peer leadership roles, bank account....I hope you get the picture.

    These are teens that are usually looked over by teachers, employers, colleges.....the one organization that hasn't is the one in question. So my question to you is how would YOU service such teens. Teens who hang on the corner, may be in a gang, in risk of dropping out, living with one parent, no parent or foster parent??
  • momawreck
    momawreck

    Subject: Re: Foot Soldiers Soliciting Donations on Subway

    Alecorock wrote: I was on the subway in the Bornx last week, and a group of young people dressed in fatigues (clearly exhausted and frustrated) walked through the train asking for donations so that they could raise 5,000 dollars to go on a camping trip. They were all African-American.

    In the same car a group of 5 white and asian young people of the same age were wearing their New York Restoration Project t-shirts. While the Foot Soldiers asked for money, offering some kind of scratch-off raffle, the Restoration project kids explained to a curious older woman how they were learning about landscaping and ecology through a restoration project in NYC parks.They ignored the FootSoldiers when they approached them.

    As a veteran teacher and non-profit manager, who lives and works in Bed-Stuy I think this story resonates on a number of levels. Clearly- there was an element of prejudice in how the FootSoldiers were received, but I was also disturbed that the program would send young people all over the city soliciting money. I would also question the wisdom of the fatigue outfit and the basis of the program. Why are we training our young people to clean and ask for money instead of providing them with practical work skills and a sense of accomplishment?
    My question to you Alecorock is.........

    other than posting here...what are YOU doing to help?

    barnabas S., the young man who started this organization, is a wonderful, creative, devoted and committed young man. he is a true asset to the community unlike many of his peers.
    While i understand your concerns, he, like many of us "oldtimers" here realized he had to start somewhere. And he did.
    I was a client of the 'solidiers" and I have always been impressed with the work ethic he is trying to teach them. as a mother of 5 sons who were raised right here in Bed Stuy, and a 50 year resident, i APPLAUD what he has done and would have welcomed the chance to put my sons in the program.

    My boys are successful young men who were exposed to many things, hardwork/menial labor being just one. they all played a part in making them the productive members of society that they are today.

    Unfortunately, i am not now in a position to help develop more programs with Barnabas....but you may be. And even if you're not able to be a large part....consider contacting him with an attitude towards helping. Trust me when i say that he is very open to ideas and suggestions, and would welcome any help you could bring to the table. be it contacts, ideas, advice whatever.

    I don't know if you are a parent or not but...it is very important to NOT compare kids. each has their own gifts/talents. And not everyone walks on the same path. i TOO am a 25+ year veteran of non-profit, and i know and understand the difficulty in getting one started from the ground...with nothing but an idea. It's not an easy task, as you may well know. but again, this young man has done a wonderful job with what he had, but he is very clear that he does NOT know everything and is always open to suggestions. That to me is the sign of a true "leader", and rather than disparage, i think we should all do whatever we can to help....if we truly care.

    And he is NOT just teaching them how to "clean and beg for money'. he is teaching them how to run a business. the kids are an integral part of the "business" itself. they are learning what is is to be an owner by learning time management, marketing, scheduling, customer care, pricing and invoicing, etc. All skills that will serve them well later on.

    Please consider being part of the solution. Learn the history...talk to those involved. Consider the judgements you are making after one contact. There is so much more to the organization than the few kids you saw...probably tired after a rough day....and your limited knowledge of what it is about. Your ideas are good ones. feel free to share them where they may make an impact.
    Contact the organization...with an open mind and heart...and see what a difference you may be able to make.

    We ALL have room for improvement...even you.

    This may be your opportunity.

    Enjoy the day you've been given!

    Deborah
    PS....Please forgive my sticky keyboard. i hope you are able to look past my capitalization issues and hear the message I'm trying to convey.
  • citymouse
    citymouse

    Subject: Re: Foot Soldiers Soliciting Donations on Subway

    Alecorock wrote: [quote=modsquad2.0][quote=Alecorock]. Why are we training our young people to clean and ask for money instead of providing them with practical work skills and a sense of accomplishment?
    I'm not sure what you mean by that. What job skill can a 16 year old learn that will serve him in the future.ll.

    Skills? I used to work for a program that provided young people with internships in Advertising, Finance, Music Industry, Non-profits, Hospitals etc. I was at the ER the other day and there was a kid from Midwood in the triage learning about nursing. The list goes on and on.

    As someone who has worked as a janitor I can safely say that I learned very little from the experience. Relying on your body to earn a living is a short game. You're going to break down at some point.

    I'm glad that you learned a work ethic from your labor, but unfortunately young people are going to be competing with kids who have had professional internships before they reach college. Why would we design programs that don't provide them with the same opportunities when the city council and private grants money is out there to fund them?

    Agreed, I work at a design/architecture firm and we have a couple high school students who come in and help around the office (they are usually the child of one of our subcontractors & were looking for a summer/part-time job.) When you have never made a FedEx, answered the phone in an office, etc. those *are* skills you can use later.... in addition to the office-skills stuff they do design work one day out of the 2-3 days per week they are there. I think there is a lot of "informal" stuff like this going on everywhere. You certainly can get a career-oriented job as a high school student.
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