Making a change is always a good feeling everyone likes to experience. Especially when it’s a good change. I’m an active participant in a Hispanic youth group known as Journada. Journada is Spanish for the journey. It’s a metaphor for the morally correct religious choices that an individual should make in their every day life situation.
It’s a large organization with over 500 people,which are located in various churches in every borough. The purpose of the group is to evangelize other young children to teach them moral values using charlas (talks) and skits that goes into depth about drugs, gang violence, sex, domestic violence, cyber bullying, environmental issues, homosexuality etc. It’s to help anyone that feels trapped like they have no where to turn. The group tries try and expose the different perspectives. Sometimes it can be serious and break someone down emotionally, but once you’ve reach that point and learn that deep within yourself you want to change it’ll happen.
It doesn’t matter your religion or your opinions because no one judges, it’s the opposite of that. It builds character and I really do feel like I’m changing for the better. I’ve learned how to get rid of my negative emotions and be more open minded about the way people act. Instead of acting out. It also keeps me off the streets and my mom trust me more. She feels better when I’m doing something productive with my time that way she doesn’t have to worry.
In the group you meet new people and build great friendships. There have been kids that hardly talk, but after a while they break out their shell and use their voices they were born with. It also reminds you to be humble to everyone and learn how to respect. There have been kids that suffer with personal internal emotions and by providing a safe haven it can make a difference.
Once you become apart of the family, it’s always fun and games. Communicating is key and so when we have concerts to go to, picnics, zone 4 visits and fundraisers for the community, it ends up to being a huge success. There are a lot of events held by the whole group, one of the many known as Caminata which means walk. The walk is through different communities exposing our beliefs. They also have Hafastraw and the J-Olympics. Both are getaway events somewhere upstate where all types of outdoor activities are done and all the groups are together. The best part is it’s free. 🙂
Check out your local church and learn the history give it a shot and join a group. There’s nothing to lose. Be a part of your community.