Time Well Spent

The time spent completing my journey expanded my life in ways that I could never have forseen before I embarked on this persuit of knowledge. Where did the time go, and how did we get here so fast. As we move forward, one can’t help but to look back at how we’ve all changed, added new ideas, information, and concepts to explore and expand upon our thinking. Frederick Douglass once said "if there is no struggle, there is no progress," and I am sure that we can all attest to the validity of this statement, whether it was struggling to meet deadlines,  explore job opportunities, and or miss some social events to complete an assignment. As a result of the various challenges we have faced, we all have become stronger, more refined, and more intelligent versions of ourselves. 

My learning has been extended from this course through the ability to Analyze the  uses of communities of practice, and how to create one. I have observed how valuable the extentions of organizations, and people can be to any cause . I’ve learned to acknowledge and apply leadership characteristics within myself. In creating a stronger understanding of syles i’ve adapted to a few. Lastly I’ve learned to evaluate professional opportunities in the early childhood feild. We do not know what is available unless we explore realms that we are not use to being exposed too. I’ve found value in advocaing for myself in all aspects of life.

I was a first generation college student in my family, and now to have celebrated three others that have completed their undergraduate degrees because they saw it was nothing holding them back since seeing me complete secessfully. I’ve already challenged them to go a step further. A long term goal that I have is to obtain my doctorate degree and to find funding to cover my expenses. In the words of Alicia Keys, I always want to stay focused on who I am, even as I'm discovering who I am. 

It is pertinent that we hold fast to our support networks- Dr. Embree thank you for your unwavering patience, support and encouragement to see to it that I made it to this point, there were plently of times that I said I don’t think i’m going to make it, and then I’d open a message from you saying I’m so proud of your efforts, and to keep pushing. To my collegaues, I am so proud to have the honor of working alongside you all. The discussions, advice and questions were of extreme importance and value to me in creating, molding and one day implemeting my challenge. Best of luck to you all. 

Ebony O’neal 

oneal.ebony@gmail.com

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

Joyful Heart Foundation

was established in 2004 from an outpour of fan mail to the character that plays Olivia Benson on Law and Order: Special Victims Unit. Mariska Hargitay wanted to make a difference with the information she received from survivors all over the world. with the intention of helping sexual assault survivors heal and reclaim a sense of joy in their lives. 
Mission: To heal, educate, and empower survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse to shed light into the darkness that surrounds these issues.  
Vision: A community with no sexual assault, domestic violence, or child abuse.
Over 3.1 million people have been reached with information through the website.
The foundation has hubs in LA, NY and Honolulu, which has served over 15,000 people and employees people of all nationality, race, and sexual orientation to do the work of spreading awareness.
      I selected this foundation because I am a firm believer in everyone having the right to choose to live how they see fit, especially without being subject to violence, harm or danger. I love the concept of this foundation in addition to learned about some of the stories behind the employees and how they started at the company. I love the idea of giving back to your community whether that is locally of community of people dealing with the same issue.
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      The American Red Cross 

is  part of the world’s largest humanitarian network with 13 million volunteers in 187 countries. The idea is to help respond to disasters, build safer communities, and teach the rules of war. Each year, more than 100 million people across the globe are reached.
Many of the countries face many challenges and with the assistance of the red cross the ability to manage many of the issues are now possible. It is not about coming to the countries and make the change and leave yet it's about educating and equipping the locals with the tools and resources they'll need to be successful. I choose this organization because I remember seeing the signs in my town advertising to give blood and when I was old enough to do so I did, it to help save a life. I was informed in greater detail of the other areas of volunteering and giving of my time and talent to an organization that's been around for quite sometime.
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Save the Children

Save the Children is the world's leading independent organization for children. With work in about 120 countries, and a history spanning back to 80 years, the role is to save children's lives; fight for their rights; while aiding the people to fulfill their potential.


 Core values:
accountability, ambition, collaboration, creativity and integrity.
Current goal is to dramatically reduce child deaths and improve children’s futures.
Save the children taught me about the effects of how poverty impacts children and their families all around the world and ways that I can help and assist.


Job opportunity: Field Manager

Location: Greece

Contract – Full-Time

Contract length: 3 months

The Field Manager will be the field level programme manager for operations in the specified location. They will be expected to lead on all aspects of managing the field base including supporting budget development and Management, agency coordination and representation, security, logistics and management of multiple teams The post holder will play a key role in building capacity at field level, and in the effective scale up and management of Save the Children emergency programs to increase impact and enable positive change for children.

Desirable

• Fluent in Greek and/or Arabic/or Farsi

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Temporary, Coordinator - Corporate Partnerships and Global Cause Partnerships

Ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality required
Versatile and adaptable to new and/or spontaneous assignments 
Ability to interact effectively with a wide variety of people with diverse communication styles