The Center For Urban Education Ministries

Dream and Make Friends With People Who Dream. Jordan B. Peterson says, "When you dare aspire upward, you reveal the inadequacy of the present and the promise of the future. Then you disturb others, in the depths of their souls, where they understand that their cynicism and immobility are unjustifiable." Dream and set your courageous vision. Then help others dream and support their healthy journey. Surround yourself with the people who want the best for you.

Stress & Burnout. As we enter the new year, there will continue to be many people that face constant stress, anxiety, and even encounter burnout from their professional responsibilities. When this happens, not only does the individual suffer, but those people that surround this person experience negativity as well. What works to reduce stress? Each person is unique, which makes solving this issue very challenging. But being creative at work helps - this can mean innovative scheduling, celebrating successes, and clarity in goals. Precise praise can also offer relief - stating exactly what is going well which allows the person to repeat these actions in the future. There will always be stress that is associated with work, but eliminating the stress that causes shutdown and an inability to function effectively is necessary as we enter a restart to the year. Take an inventory of how you are doing with healthy eating, hours of sleep, exercise, and time with friends. All of these items push us forward in a positive direction.

Our Missing Children. According to U.S. Census data, over 50,000 students are still missing from school. This includes public, private, and home schools. The reason for students missing school includes homelessness, mental health, lack of interest, and no motivation. We need to tackle this problem with collective energy and a focus on school attendance. In addition, we can support organizations that are engaged with families, community agencies, and housing shelters. All students need to be present and learning in a school environment from a loving and effective educator.

City College Innovates with Work Requirement. Paul Quinn College, an HBCU in Dallas, is timely in its innovation and uniqueness. When students arrive on campus they are provided with meaningful work opportunities connected to local business partners. All college students are required to work 10-20 hours a week. The purpose of this requirement is for students to be competitive in the job market and contribute to their cost of education. Additional benefits include job placement, work experiences, professional networking, and increased value from course assignments. This educational approach addresses college relevancy and student debt concerns.