By Mary Masla   

"Connection is why we are here. It's what gives purpose and meaning to our lives. It doesn't matter whether you talk to people who work in social justice and mental health and abuse and neglect, what we know is that connection, the ability to feel connected, is -- neurobiologically that's how we're wired -- it's why we're here." - Bren� Brown, Research Professor, University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work  

Bren� Brown has spent the past ten years studying vulnerability, courage, authenticity, and shame. In a TED Talk delivered in June 2010 Brown explains that the root of connection, the thing that gives purpose and meaning to our lives, is vulnerability. That by being vulnerable and whole-hearted, by allowing ourselves to be truly seen, flaws and all, allows us to develop deep, meaningful and authentic connection. Vulnerability is not an easy thing to practice; often shame and fear stand in our way. The fear that you're not worthy of connection, of unconditional love and acceptance, and the shame you may feel due to your flaws and imperfections. This shame and fear often stems from our image of who we are "supposed to be", and our knowledge that we do not always meet that expectation, or fit into that perfect box. 

Unfortunately, for many minorities in our country, this image is not always a positive one, it is not an image of perfection, but rather a negative stereotype placed upon individuals because of their race or ethnicity. It is one of a gang member, an undocumented laborer or a criminal. These stereotypes create barriers to success unique to our nation's minority students.

Self-Enhancement Inc. started as a week long basketball camp in 1981, and has grown into a nonprofit organization that helps at-risk urban youth realize their potential by providing in school, out of school, summer, post-secondary and parent supports. SEI also operates a charter school serving grades 6-8 out of the Center for Self-Enhancement. The Center for Self Enhancement is located in a North East Portland neighborhood that has historically been predominantly African American, and fraught with gang violence, poverty and struggling schools. Jefferson High School - the only high school in the area - is the only high school in Oregon with a predominantly African American student population. SEI serves thousands of students each year, and their student demographics include:

• 97% African-American
• 85% qualify for free or reduced lunch
• 73% from single parent households
• 36% are gang affected
• 30% have a parent or sibling incarcerated

I'm not sure where to start in my description of SEI, and my time spent there. One singular experience doesn't sum up what SEI does for kids. Perhaps because what they do is so multifaceted, so all encompassing that it can't be described in one snapshot. My experiences ranged from tough love lectures in which SEI staff stopped everything in order to give middle school students the opportunity to reflect on the valuable role SEI plays in their lives, and to remind them of the respect and attention its staff deserve; to the organized chaos of a gym full of elementary and middle school students awaiting swim lessons, and trips to the movie theater; to conversations with coordinators who provide mentorship, guidance, listening ears and love, sometimes tough love, to a case load of roughly 40 students 24 hours per day, seven days per week, 365 days per year. I drifted through halls, listening in on math, language arts, leadership and personal development classes. I found a small group of students painting a boat they had built themselves, but disappointed to have missed a team of young communication strategists because they were off-campus presenting their Nike ad campaign to Widen and Kennedy.

Read more about Mary's time at SEI click here... 

The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) has provided grants to Campus Compact, Cesar Chavez Foundation, HOPE worldwide, Points of Light, Service for Peace, and Youth Service America to plan and carry out projects that bring Americans together to serve in their communities in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. These MLK Day grantees are making available sub-grant funds to organizations that plan service activities for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday.