Lessons Of Life

First Week With MTCA

Thu, 26 Jul 2012 14:31:16 -0400

Last week at Martha’s Table Collegiate Academy was a great introduction into the operations of this organization. Many of teens currently at Martha’s Table are participating in the Washington D.C teen employment summer program. The employment offered by Martha’s Table consists of four workshops that mostly cater towards improving/teaching skills in media, publications, communications and entertainment. This past week, I spent the majority of time in the Higher Learning and Beats to the Rhyme workshops. Higher Learning is different from the other workshops because it focuses on college preparation and exposure. On the other hand, Beats to the Rhyme focuses on creative writing in the context of Hip-Hop.

Higher achievement this week started by discussing the differences between Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Predominantly White Institutions. SInce many of the teens in the program are African American, the discussion was appropriate and beneficial. That was only the start to opening a wider discussion about what higher education institutions they may be interested about. Next they all took a college match quiz and began looking for ideal schools they would want to attend. The workshop also went over writing prompts that can be seen on college applications. In addition the teens went over financial literacy and covered the concepts of loans and saving. Many of the lessons for financial literacy are computer based and contain many lessons related to this topic.

In Beats to the Rhyme, the workshop started by examining a song titled “Friends” by TLC. The teens started by reading the lyrics along with listening to the song. Then they all discussed the lyrics and highlighted a few lines that were meaningful to them. From the lyrics, they wrote a poem that could relate to their own lives. From “Friends”, they wrote about their friendships and how meaningful they were to them. Later in the week, they did the same exercise for “to fly” a song by Nicki Minaj in which they wrote about tough problems that they want to conquer.

Overall, the past week at Martha’s Table Collegiate Academy showed how great of a program this is for teens. Many of the skills taught last week could benefit them for many years to come. Also the activities actively engaged many of the youth such as in Beats to the Rhyme which analyzed popular songs of the present. After listening to and analyzing the lyrics they were able to connect with the song and express themselves through poetry. Many of the activities in these workshops was valuable information.

On a personal level, this program has tremendously influenced me and made me realize that I may be interested in working with youth as it is an extremely rewarding experience. I truly was moved by the emotional and intellectual connection I am beginning to establish with the youth of the program. I also found that connecting to the youth on a personal level allows me the ability to not only teach them, but also learn from them. Overall, I have had a very enriching experience thus far, especially as an African American man who can serve as a role model to the predominantly African American teens. I look forward to the many rewarding workshops I will have with the teens in the upcoming weeks.

Hello All!!

Thu, 26 Jul 2012 12:38:28 -0400

I’m Chris Harris, and I am a rising junior at the University of Maryland College Park. Recently, I became an intern at Martha’s Table’s Collegiate Academy. So far, my experiences in this program have been great. Yet, instead of keeping my rewarding experiences to myself, I have decided to share them with you. So follow me, and each week I will keep you informed about the wonderful things happening in the Collegiate Academy!

Click To Download The 2012 Project ID | Who Am I? Campaign Booklet

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:54:00 -0400

Click To Download The 2012 Project ID | Who Am I? Campaign Booklet:

This booklet was created by Martha’s Table Collegiate Academy (MTCA) as part of the Martha’s Table Teens Care (MTTC) workshop in which teens build campaigns around topics that are important to them. From drug and alcohol abuse to stress and self-discovery, MTCA teens are getting to the root of each topic.

NOTE: The first two pages of the download are the back and front covers. The front cover has an empty box, and the back cover has the title “Name”.

This is a short PSA that our Teens did, under a partnership with...

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 15:57:06 -0400

This is a short PSA that our Teens did, under a partnership with “i am the difference, to help them to bring awareness to the issue of depression within their demographic. for more information please visit iamthedifferencedc.org and marthastable.org.

Lessons Of Life: Dealing With Stress

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 12:52:40 -0400

Lessons Of Life: Dealing With Stress

L.O.L. Tips For Today!!

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 17:44:48 -0500

“Today is just a good day in disguise.” -Paul Venghaus

“Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it everyday.” -Henri Nouwen

“In order to succeed, you must first be willing to fail.” -Anonymous

“Great works are performed not by strength, but by perseverance.” -Anonymous

“To accomplish great things, we must dream as well as act.” -Anatole France

“I know it seems hard sometimes, but remember one thing, through every dark night, there’s a bright day after that. So no matter how hard it gets, keep your chest out, keep your head up and handle it.” -Tupac

“Laugh as much as you breath, and love as long as you live.” -Anonymous

“It’s never too late, in fiction or in life, to revise.” -Nancy Thayer

“Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent.” -Eleanor Roosevelt.

Depression, anxiety and frustration don’t have to be the story...

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 13:17:06 -0400

Depression, anxiety and frustration don’t have to be the story of your life. There are several choices you can make to change your way of thinking for the better. Here, our teens share the L.O.L. (Lessons Of Life). You should too!

Bullying

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 13:16:00 -0400

“2 out of 3 teens are verbally or physically harassed every year.”

- dosomething.org

Dating Abuse

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 13:14:37 -0400

“1 in 3 teens is abused in a relationship. And most partners stay in the relationship in spite of it.”

- dosomething.org

"Here’s a brief glimpse at the contents of MTTP’s latest publication “I. A.M...."

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 13:01:12 -0400

“Here’s a brief glimpse at the contents of MTTP’s latest publication “I. A.M. Inspired And Motivated” The full book is available at http://www.bookemon.com/book-profile/i-a-m/139979”

- I. A.M. Preview

Depression, anxiety and frustration don’t have to be the...

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 11:11:00 -0400

L.O.L. #10 Failure is what makes victory worthwhile.

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 14:35:57 -0400

L.O.L. #10 Failure is what makes victory worthwhile.

L.O.L. #9 Don’t put yourself down; others strive to do it...

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 14:30:55 -0400

L.O.L. #9 Don’t put yourself down; others strive to do it for you.

L.O.L. #8 Life is too short not to smile.

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 14:26:21 -0400

L.O.L. #8 Life is too short not to smile.

L.O.L. #7 A clear sky has the potential to change.

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 14:15:11 -0400

L.O.L. #7 A clear sky has the potential to change.

L.O.L. #6 Remember, the story of your life is being written in...

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 14:05:39 -0400

L.O.L. #6 Remember, the story of your life is being written in pencil, and you’re the author.

L.O.L. #5 You can’t reach the top without starting at the...

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 13:54:38 -0400

L.O.L. #5 You can’t reach the top without starting at the bottom.

L.O.L. #4 Dream with your eyes open, so you will know what it...

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 13:43:28 -0400

L.O.L. #4 Dream with your eyes open, so you will know what it takes to make them come true.

L.O.L. #3 It seems easiest to remember bad things that happen to...

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 13:39:04 -0400

L.O.L. #3 It seems easiest to remember bad things that happen to us, but this doesn’t mean good things didn’t happen. Take a moment to remember.

L.O.L. #2 Don’t cry because it’s over; smile because...

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 13:34:38 -0400

L.O.L. #2 Don’t cry because it’s over; smile because it happened.