Senior Project Reflection

(1)Positive Statement

What are you most proud of in your 2-Hour Presentation and/or your senior project? Why?

What I am most proud of my senior project is all the knowledge I've gained through this whole year because it has given me the opportunity to educate and help others. I really enjoy sharing what I know and participate in different events in order to bring the community together and educate the public. I think that with all the experience and knowledge I gained, made me feel more comfortable in my presentation.

(2)Questions to Consider

 What assessment would you give yourself on your overall senior project (self-assessment)? Why?
AE P AP CR NC

I would give myself an AE because I believe that I have demonstrated knowledge and understanding about my topic and I have been able to apply what I have learned in different ways such as Denim Day or working on the PSFS 24hotline. Even though I had a great service learning and an amazing supervisor, I believe my topic sometiemes was very difficult to deal with because of it is very delicate. I actually got to work with survivors and I had to go to different events to educate the  public. I really love what I have accomplished and I am very proud of all my work and effort.

(3) What worked for you in your senior project?

I think service learning and my research are some of the motst useful resources I got for my senior project. I got so much from the training I took, it prepared me to what was comming-working with sexual assault survivors.

(4) What didn’t work for you in your senior project?

At the beginning of the year I had trouble figuring out what I wanted to do for my senior project and I had to change my topic and EQ several times because it was very difficult to find a service learning place. The research I got helped me so much to understand my topic and what survivors really have to go through.

(5) Finding Value

How has the senior project been helpful to you in your future endeavors? Be specific and use examples.

I think my senior project has opened up many doors and has helped me to see things from a different perspective. It has affected my personal and professial life in a positive way and I think this something that I want to keep doing in the future because it has been such humbling and gratifying experience.

2hr Presentation Lesson Plan

2hr lesson plan

Service Learning

Training for Crisis Intervention Counselor for Sexual Assault

Literal: LOG.57hrs.

Interpretive: I really learned a lot from this experience; I learned how to work with sexual assault survivors and their families. I learned how to be sympathetic to other's feeling and situations. I think this experience has opened my eyes and made me realize what sexual assault really is and how it affects our society. This training helped me understand that it's not only about  being educated about sexual assault, but trying to get involved and find ways to support those that need our help. I gained so much knowledge and awareness about this issue, which makes me want to get involved even more, not only to support this cause, but many others. I came to the realization that this is something I really love doing, and I'm glad that I'm still going to do it after high school.

Applied: I think this training is the best source I have and it helped me to get most of my answers. In this training I learned about survivors and their needs, and this allowed me to understand what they go through even more. It made understand why it's so important to know how to talk to them and treat them in order to gain their trust. Also, I realized that every speaker that we had would mention the importance of taking good care of ourselves because if we don't, then there's no way we're going to be able to take good care of others. This training truly helped me understand what survivors have to go through, and to be compassionate and respectful when talking to them regardless their story and who they are.

 Supervisor: Georgina Martinez.
 Email: gmartinez@projectsister.org
 Phone: (909) 623-1619

Independent Component 2

Literal

(a) Statement saying: “I, Flor Peralta, affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 30 hours of work.”

(b) My independent component was putting together the first annual Denim Day in Pomona. This is an event to raise sexual assault awareness to the public. Also, since I got certified to be a crisis intervention counselor, I started to work on the PSFS hotline, and I have to complete at least 18 hours every month. It is required for advocates to volunteer in two fairs throughout the year, so I volunteered for Walk a Mile in Her Shoes at Pitzer College and a Carnival at Cal Poly Pomona.

Interpretive

Defend your work and explain how the significant parts of your component and how it demonstrates 30 hours of work.

Denim Day: I had to go to monthly meetings in order to organize the event; we had to add extra meetings because we had more things to do. In the meetings we discussed about the vendors that were going to participate, and where were all the tables were going to be, and the activities that we were going to have. The event was a success! We got good feedback from vendors, and many families went to the event. I really enjoyed working with the teen committee and putting the event together. Knowing that we're doing something for the community is very rewarding.

Hotline: After I got certified, I started working on the PSFS hotline. I got calls from people asking for information, and I even got to work one on one with survivors. I have to complete at least 18 every month and go to a monthly advocate meeting at the Red Cross at Cal Poly Pomona. This meetings are to discuss about future events coming up and talk about our calls and accompaniments.


Walk a Mile in Her Shoes: This is a walk to support sexual assault survivors, and in this walk many guys walk a mile in heels to support this cause. I worked on the PSFS booth giving information and I also walked the mile. I really enjoyed this event because it's a great way to show survivors that there's people out there that really care about this issue.


Carnival at Cal Poly: This event was put together by a fraternity at Cal Poly Pomona, and they envited PSFS to participate on  the event. I went in behalf of PSFS. I worked on a booth and gave people information about the services that we offer.

Applied

How did it help you answer your EQ? Be specific and use examples.

I think that being able to work in all this events with PSFS has really helped me understand how society perceives sexual assault, and how important it is to educate the public. Being able to put Denim Day together, being part of Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, and represent PSFS at Cal Poly's Carnival helped to come up with one of my answers, which is educating survivor's loved ones about sexual assault. The reason why this helped me was because  many people approached to the booth asking questions, and I realized that they weren't really aware of what sexual assault really is and how it can affect a person. If someone doesn't really understand what  sexual assault  victims go through in order to become a survivor, then they won't know how to support them. I talked to my supervisor about this, and she helped me to build up my answer.

Working on the hotline has been incredibly gratifying. This has given me the opportunity to talk to different people and deal with different personalities and different needs. This helped me to come up with another answer, which is knowing how to gain the survivor's trust. When working with survivors I really don't know what to expect; every case is different, but it is quite important to let them know that you're there to help them, that you won't judge them, and that you will guide them through the process. They have already taken the first step which is calling the hotline, and that is a huge step to take, so now it is my turn to show them that I care and I want to help them. If they don't feel supported, they're not likely to trust you.

Grading Criteria

LOG=57hrs

 Activities!

 We got awarded 3 times!

 Teen Committee!

Project Sister Advocates!

 Walking the mile!

Some of the guys that walked in heels!

Helping 2013

Interviewee: Jordan Lim 


(1) What ideas do you have for your senior project and why?

• I think I'd like to do my senior project on either real state or engineering. I have a lot of family memebers that do real state, so I think it would be easier for me, but I'm very interested in engineering. I'm still debating. 
• Feedback: I think it's good that you already have ideas and that you have connections because that's essential for your senior project. If you decide to do engineering, you should be more specific because just engeneering is too general. I think you should do something that you really like, so you can enjoy your senior project even more. 

(2) What do you plan to do to complete the 10 hours of service learning (working with an expert) which is due prior to senior year starting? 

• I think that I'd go to my any of my family memeber's job and would see what they do and how they do it. Maybe help them out if they need something; it would be kind of like shadowing them. If it's for engineering, I'd try to find someone that could do my service learning with and try to do the same thing. 
• Feedback: I think that's a good idea because you would get an idea of what they really do, and see if that is something that you would really like to do your senior project on. I have a friend that could help you with engineering; he used to go to Cal Poly, and it seems like he really enjoys his job. You can contact him and see if he can help you out. 

(3) What do you hope to see or expect to see when watching the class of 2012 present their two hour presentations?

• I really expect the seniors to be experts on their topic, and since most of them have been here since freshman year I think they will give a proficient presentation. Professionalism and show a lot of knowledge about their topic. 
• Feedback: I would recommend you to really try to pay attention and see what works and what didn't work on the presentation because you can learn from it. Also be respectful because for some people might not be that easy to be standing there for two hours, and you will be doing the same thing next year so it'd be good if you behave during the presentation. I think if you have questions a good time to ask them is during the activities or towards the end because it could affect the student's timing and it might not even count for their talking time. 

(4) What questions do they have about senior project?  What additional recommendations would you give the 2013 student about senior project?  Be specific and note what you told them.

• What big of a role do the teacher play in your project? They will always tell you what you need to have done and by when, and they advice you in how you can do it. I think that the teachers are really helpful if you decide to ask them for help; they will try to guide you and provide you as much information as you can. 
• Is senior project as hard as everyone says it is? I think it really depends on your topic and what you decide to do. If you have the right contacts and have a good focus, then you will be fine. There are times that there will be a lot of things to turn in at once, so I'd really recommend you not to procrastinate! I know you have heard this a lot of times, but DO NOT DO IT! Senior year is not as scary as you might think it is; I think if you're on top of your work and you meet all the deadlines, you will be fine.
• Does senior year really prepares you for college? I think what prepares you for college is not only senior year, but all your iPoly years. This year is definitively a different experience because you get to do new things and work individually, but you still do group work. I think this year is very helpful and gives you the opportunity to explore in depth something that you like, so it does help you for college. Personally, I believe that teachers will try to guide you and give you helpful information, but at the end it will really be your decision if you take what they provide to you or not. 
• What do you take away from this project? Well I think you're going to get a different answer from every senior, but personally I gained a lot of knowledge about my topic and I got a lot of connections and several things to add to my resume. I think if you chose a topic that interest you a lot and you get a good service learning place, you can take away a lot! Just try to be smart about the decisions you make during the year and work as hard as you can. 

I would strongly recommend you to pick something that you're very interested in, don't pick something just because it seems easy or because you already have the contacts. I know it would be smart to chose something because you have people that can help you, but if you're not really interested in the topic then I personally believe that it will be a waste of your time. I see senior project as the opportunity to try new things or explore an area that you truly like. I would also recommend you to be on top of your work and try your best. If your planning to take college classes I'd say to take easy classes that won't take too much of your time; unless, you think you can handle it. It would be a good idea to take classes that can help you with your senior project, so you can use it as your independent component. Also, if you are struggling with anything talk to any of the senior teaches because they're really more than willing to help you out. I think that you should talk to more seniors and talk about their senior projects just to have different perspectives and maybe they can help you out with something. 

Answer 3

Answer: Knowing how to gain the survivor's trust is important when supporting a sexual assault survivors.

Evidence: 


1. It is very important not to be judgmental when talking to a sexual assault survivor because survivors that don't feel judge tend to feel more support and are more likely to trust others. 


2. Letting survivors know that you will be there whenever they need to talk gives them a sense of security because they're not under pressure. It gives them a sense of support. 


3. Let survivors decide what is best for them during the recovery process because it gives survivors a chance to regain control they have lost. Re-empowerment is very important for recovery. 


Source: 

PSFS

Articles #54-59

Research Notes

3-Column Chart

Three Column Chart

Room Creativity

(1) How do you plan to address the room creativity expectation?

I'm still not sure what exactly I will do, but I was thinking to probably separate the room in two. In one of the sides there will be pictures representing sexual assaul and things that survivors have to go through, and the other will have pictures of representing where the survivors need to be.

(2) What activity ideas do you have for answer 1 or 2?

One of my answers is: Educating love ones about the nature of sexual assault, the aftereffects of sexual assault and their role in the situation. I would give each group a paper with different scenarios of how parents can react to sexual assault, and they would have to discuss of how they think would be good way to manage the situation and what to tell the parents. After 5-7 minutes they would have to share out their answers.

Research Check 14

Supporting Survivors of Human Trafficking

L: Human Trafficking: illegal trade of human beings (labor,sexual, domestic, and commercial exploitation)
I: I think that most. Of the time when people think of human trafficking they only think that it requires crossing the borders. However, this is based on the dynamic of the relationship between the victim and the trafficker, not necessarily the distance that is travelled.

L: Traffickers use different techniques in order to scared the victims and have them under their control. They tend to isolate the victim so they don't get any type of support, creating financial obligations, confiscating legal papers, and violence.
I: I think that these are obvious techniques, but they're not always easily recognized because victims won't talk about it or simply lie.

I: people often think that victims always work in crowded conditions such as sweatshops, domestic work, sex work, agriculture, but in several cases persons were trafficked into marriages. (mail order brides). This can be very scary, and it is happening right now but we don't see it because it's not very obvious.

L: smuggling and trafficking are not the same thing. In trafficking legal papers are taken always and smuggling they are going to another country because they want to. The laws for trafficking are differents from the ones of smuggling humans.

I: I thinks that if I ever suspect that a victim was trafficked I would have to ask how she entered they country, or who they live with and what they do for living. It might sound like intruding their personal lives, but it'a important to clarify somethings before filing a report.

L:in October 2000, the Traffick
Ing Victims Protection Act of 2000(TVPA) made human trafficking illegal. This law gives immigration options to the victims and this contains more more protections than the original form.
- the "T visa" provides victims access to public benefits, social services, and immigration protections.
I: I can't believe it human trafficking was made illegal until 2000! I wonder what the laws stated before. I think it is good that there are more laws for survivors of human trafficking and i think it is also important to let the survivors know their rights so they will be more likely to cooperate.

Research #13

Latina SUrvivors.

Latina includes many different cultures like Mexico, central America and South AMerica. They have many differences, but they share some similarities as well. It is important to understand their background and being able to respect it.

Cultural context for Latino SUrvivors

Latino survivors face many different difficulties when living in a different country. They tend to keep their culture art the same time as they try to fit in a new one.

Their culture is, first and foremost, traditionally patriarchal. It is often believed that men have more rights than women do.

Machismo is a way that man can show their power, strength, and position. In America heritage dictionary it is exaggerated sense of masculinity, domination of women, and aggressiveness.

Latina survivors tend to manifest unwillingness to challenge any male of their family. If the offender was a relative or someone that they know, sometimes they believe that it is okay to happen because they are more powerfully than women.

For Latino culture, virginity is one of the most valuable attribute of a woman. Therefore, they tend to feel guilty and confused.

Considerate on for Counselors

Parents often ask if their daughter is still a virging, and it is important to let them understand that it doesn't matter her physical condition because her psychological and spiritual condition is still a virgin.

In this culture women are often look as weaker than men, and they always need to be protected by a male.

It is important to make the family comfortable in order to make the healing process easier.

They are usually Catholics or religious in certain ways, therefore is it is important to let them know that the church doesn't support violence against anyone.

Disclosure is very important for the recovery process, and these survivors might feel like it is not okay to talk about personal things outside the family environment. Educating them would be really helpful.

Sometimes disclosure of any type of abuse could be looked upon as betrayal and disloyalty. Therefore, the survivor might experience guilt, and fear.

Answer 2

EQ: What is the best way to support a sexual assault survivor?

Answer: Educate family member or significan others about the nature and aftereffects of sexual assault is very important when supporting a sexual assault survivor.

Evidence:

1. Family members might experience anger either towards the perpetrator or survivor, and they need to understand that is not the survivor's fault.

2. Family members tend to become over protective and overinvolved, and they have to comprehend that by behiving that way they are underming the survivor's own attempts at reempowerment.

3. Family members sometimes tend to keep the assault as a family secret and don't let the survivors talk about it, and this can deprive the survivor from the opportunity to experience her feelings and and to receive in her recovery.

Source:

• Article # 26c:  "Applications of Crisis Intervention" by Annabel Prins and Josef Rusek.
• My service learning: Training for Crisis Intervention Couselors.

The Product:

Product: Being a more involved and better citizen.

Evidence:

                                                 1. Sexual Assault Crisis Intervention Training
I am taking this training to become a crisis intevention counselor, so I can start volunteering in the Project Sister Family Services Hotline.

                                                             2.  Denim Day Committee
Other students and I have been putting together the first Annual Denim Day Pomona. This is an Anti-Violence Fair to raise sexual assault awareness and educuate the public about this issue.

3. Know It Forward Club

I started this club in order to raise awareness of sexual assault within the school because it's something that many people are not very aware of it.

Fourth Interview Questions

1.       What is the best way to support a survivor through their trauma?

2.       What is vicarious trauma?

3.       How often people working with sexual assault survivors get vicarious trauma?

4.       What is the best way to prevent it?

5.       Do you think that working with sexual assault survivors have changed your view about life?

6.       How can you make the survivor feel comfortable with you?

7.       What is the best way to gain the survivor’s trust?

8.       What are the most common reactions survivors have when talking to you?

9.       How do you think working with children is different from working with adults survivors?

10.   What are some unconscious ways advocates can transmit insecurity to the survivor?

11.   What are the most important things advocates don’t have to do when working with survivors?

12.   What do you think are some comments that survivors take too personal?

13.   Is it a good idea to ask the survivor what and how it happened?

14.   How does touch can affect the survivor?

15.   What do you when the survivors tell you that they don’t need your help?

16.   Who is more likely to cooperate the most children, teens or adults? Why?

17.   What is the best way to approach teenagers?

18.   What do you think is the most rewarding part of your job?

19.   What is the best way to approach a child?

20.   What would you say is the most difficult part to work with survivors?

Independent Component 2 Plan Approval.

 1. Write a description of what you plan on doing for your independent study component.

For my independent component I am planning to start a club. The purpose of the club is to raise sexual assault awareness as well as other issues society is facing, and raise money for the project sister organization. Also I'm one of the committee member for the Denim day event. I'm going to have to go to different meetings in order to organize the event. 

2. Describe in detail how you think your plan will meet the 30 hours work requirement.

I'm planning to have a club meeting once a week, and have different events in which we could raise money for the organization,  other events to raise awareness. Also the meetings I will have with the Denim Day committee members and the actual event. 

3. How does your independent study component relate to your EQ?   

My EQ is "What is the best way to help a patient that suffers from PTSD due to sexual abuse?" and one of my possible answers is prevention. And raising awareness is a way to prevent sexual abuse. 

Independent Component 1

Literal 

 “I, Flor Peralta, affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 30 hours of work." 

My independent component was starting a club. The Club is called 'Know It Forward' and its purpose is to raise sexual assault awareness within the school. Moreover, I've been working on putting together the first annaul Danim Day in the city of Pomona. This is event is to raise sexual assault and rape awareness within the community.

Interpretive
Denim Day is an event to raise sexual assault and rape awareness within the community. I think that working with Denim Day committee has helped me to see different points of views of sexual assault and rape and how people, especially teenagers, look at it and learn what sexual assault really is. This experience has given me the necessary knowledge of sexual assault and rape, and I believe that this is very essential to be able to answer my EQ. The first Denim Day meeting was on October 27^th; every month we have a two hour meeting in order to put everything we’ve been working on together. The event will take place on April 25^TH from 3pm-6pm.

The purpose of Know it Forward Club is to raise awareness of sexual assault and rape at iPoly. I think it’s very important to educate the students about what is really going on in our community. I have a meeting every Thursdays from 12:45 to 1:30. I provide information about different issues related to my topic and we have different activities that could help the members have a better understanding of what sexual assault is and how people tend to deal with it. Also, the club leaders always try to have a meeting every Wednesday for an hour, or more if necessary, in order to organize and prepare what we’re going to do for the next meeting.

Applied

I believe that my independent component has helped me answer my EQ because it gave me a better understanding of what sexual assault really is and how people deal with it. I had the opportunity to learn what it is, to teach others about it, and get different perspectives about this topic. I’ve learn that when helping a patient that has been sexually abused, there are going to be different reactions and beliefs involved, therefore, it’s good to see what other people think and believe about it.

Grading Criteria

·      LOG

·      Denim Day fb page

Presentation 2 Rough Draft

20 Minute Lesson Plan

Answer 1

1) What is answer 1 to your EQ? Be specific in your answer and write it like a thesis statement.

Expressive Art Therapies are very effective for patients that suffer from PTSD due to sexual abuse.


2) What possible evidence do you have to support this answer?

•  Movement/dance: memories mighy contain rigid stored emotions and physical aspects that might only be unlocked through movement.
• Language Arts: Patients get to create, read and discuss their own written pieces or study the creation of others. As patients read or listen to the stories of others, they gain sense of connection, a realization that they're not alone.
• Music: Drumming  can be used to help overcome feelings of powerlessness and anger and develop assertiveness in a victims abuse.

3) What source(s) did you find this evidence and/or answer?
The Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Sourcebook (second edition) by Glenn R. Schiraldi, Ph.D.

Service Learning

1. Where are you working for your service learning? 

I'm going to take a training to become a safe-certified crisis intervention counselor for sexual assault and      work 1:1 with survivors and their family members. 

2. Who is your contact? 

Georgina Martinez (909) 623-1619 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            (909) 623-1619      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

3. Summarize the services you have performed to complete the 10 hour requirement

The training starts January 31th. 

4. How many hours have you worked?

by February 6th I will probably have completed about 11 hours. 

Third Interview Questions

1. What is the best way to help a patient that suffers from PTSD due to sexual abuse?
2. How do you know what's the best treatment for a PTSD patient?
3. Who is more likely to suffer from PTSD? Why?
4. What are the most common and the most severe symptoms?
5. What's the most difficult part of the healing process?
6. What are the factors that make people more vulnerable to PTSD?
7. What are the different types or levels of PTSD? How are they different from each other?
8. Which do you think is the best therapy for a PTSD patient? Why?
9. What do you think are the most important factors to take in consideration when preparing a treatment plan for the patient?
10. Would the recovery process be the same for a soldier that went to war and for a victim of sexual abused?