The Innovative Spaces Blog
Share your ideas for creating the infrastructure that fosters innovation in New Orleans.
My internship experience... By Lucas Chapin
Starting day one at The Idea Village, I had little idea of what to expect. At that point the extent of my knowledge about this organization came from a 30-minute phone conversation with Daryn Dodson and a little internet research. What I've experienced in the past two months has surpassed my expectations for a lively and meaningful internship.
Contributions I've made include research and a bit of writing for the IDEAcorps business plan, various tasks such as website design and even some modeling for the launch of our "Trust Your Crazy Ideas" merchandise line, and now the writing of this newsletter. Though I can't claim complete ownership over any single project, I'm proud to be part of a team that's accomplished quite a bit this summer.
What really distinguishes The Idea Village from other businesses is the supportive yet challenging environment here. "The Village People," as they are sometimes affectionately called, love collaboration and are all incredibly talented, fueling an atmosphere in which mediocrity is viewed as complicity. It was impossible for me to quickly jot out a S.W.O.T. analysis without fully thinking it through knowing that Daryn would be critically reviewing it and challenging me to refine and improve it. On the other hand, true to our mantra, seemingly crazy ideas are never discouraged here – when we suggested a launch party with guest speakers, hors d'oeuvres, and a rum bar as a way to market our new merchandise, Lauren ran with the idea and even suggested bringing in a famous painter.
Most of all, my experience has been meaningful because my co-workers at The Idea Village value my input and trust me with great responsibility. The interns were given full control over our own merchandise "business," managing everything from t-shirt designs to distribution channels. The Village People also care about our personal development as much as our contributions: Daryn frequently teaches us business school material for enrichment and Miji has even driven us around the 9th ward simply for better cultural understanding.
I came to New Orleans to make an impact on the post-Katrina revitalization movement, but I thought my contribution might involve little more than data entry in excel worksheets. Working at The Idea Village has allowed me to make the contribution I envisioned and at the same time develop on a professional and personal level.
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1 Comment so far:
1. Education Consortium Says:
EDUCATION CONSORTIUM
Education is emancipation; education is freedom. They are the forums for learning about justice, liberty, tolerance, and compassion. Our schools reflect the future. Yet, despite the work of so many good people, we have a crisis that we can no longer afford to ignore. Millions of students are attending school but are not learning. Each student poorly educated is a tragedy.
Inedible, these measures lead to lower pay, higher unemployment levels for equal levels of education, higher dropout rates and lower test scores. Neighborhoods plagued by high levels of joblessness are more likely to experience low levels of civil, economical, and social organizations: all go hand in hand. Research demonstrates that contact with the criminal justice system, even in any form of an arrest, has a depressing effect on wages. High rates of joblessness trigger other neighborhood problems that undermine social organization, ranging from crime, gang violence, drug trafficking, and teen pregnancy to family breakups and problem in the infrastructure of family life.
According to Baton Rouge premier newspaper, The Advocate (Dec. 2, 2007) the federal/state judicial system rather spend $7.7 million on building additional 550 beds and upgrading prison facilities; and another $2.6 million to house inmates in other jails. Consultation on the current and projected prison cost for the next three years are currently underway. The state has allocated $28.6 million for juvenile justice and for repeat offenders.
An investment effective, life enhancing education through by way of well-established, nurturing, career-oriented programs for children and youth can potentially reduce the devastating impact of social ills (e.g. incarceration, low graduation rate, teen pregnancy, or early demise (death) has had on many communities. It is time to invest in the future of our state’s capital by investing in its residence and its communities.
The Next Steps
An investment in crime prevention programs by the way of well-established, nurturing, career-oriented education curriculum/programs (K-12) for appropriate all who will embrace the art of education can potentially reduce the devastating impact incarceration has had on many communities. It is time to invest in the future of our state’s capital by investing in its communities and its future, our youth.
The question I would like to posed to the Idea Village congregation is if one could imagine a middle/high school will guarantee preparation with success, what components (with explanation) and how would you design it???
Will our children remain invisible? Or invincible???
www.education_consortium@yahoo.com
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Jul 28th, 2008 3:13 PM