Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 1, Number 9, 1 November 1984 — Students Leam to Cope [ARTICLE]

Students Leam to Cope

Sixteen students ranging in age from 12 to 18, including one eaeh from Kahuku and Waipahu, participated in a summer learning experience through the Waianae Student Advocate Program at the Waianae complex of the Honolulu Community Action Program. "The thrust of the program is education," said Danette Rayford who served as program director for the third year. She also wears two other hats as an active Waianae HCAP staff member whose job title is listed as community worker. Her other involvement is with the senior citizens.

They went through an eight-week course whieh stressed students' rights and advocacy. Rayford explained that the program is designed to provide services to students and parents who need help in dealing with and understanding the school system. It is not your usual summer employment program where kids just pull weeds or clear rubbish. The program helps students deal directly with immediate school problems affecting their achievement in school. As part of their training, students get information on the school system, the problems faced by parents and students, students' rights, advocacy and mediation. When Ka Wai Ola and OH A Human Services Specialist Sam H olt visited the students and their ad vocate one day, they explained the goals and objectives of the program by role playing.

lt was an impressive performance as eaeh one described some of the goals whieh they listed as selfawareness, interpersonal skills and communication skills. An explanation of these goals was also detailed by the students. Rayford also taught them to understand their rights and be assertive in getting the help necessary. The program was climaxed by a "graduation" exercise at the Waianae Senior Citizens Center where trophies and certificates were awarded for various accomplishments.

"With the students back at their respective campuses, they now at least know eaeh other. I'm sure their feelings and behavior will have an impact on one another," Rayford said. "They now understand values, perception and views," she explained. Among the high!ights of this year's program was the selection of some of the students to serve as City Council pages. They were among the first public school students to go through the experience.

Ivan Pilialoha, one of the students, said he enjoyed the experience and the opportunity to see how the city operates through the decision-making process. All pages were presented certificates of appreciation by the Council and Pilialoha proudly displayed his. One of the most heart-warming experiences encountered by Rayford with the 1984 group eame during a weekend of camping. "We decided to do our thing away from our area on the other side of the island. This was a good move because the students really had a niee time. Being away from their own environment was also an education in itself for them. In fact, there were many among them who visited some places they didn't see before," Rayford declared.

Rayford, like many of her fellow Waianae HCAP workers, is a dedicated individual who puts everything into whatever she's doing. Like herself, herchargesare Hawaiians or native Hawaiians. She's been with HCAP for seven years and isn't shy to admit she's a dropout. This, however, hasn't deterred her from her work because "1 care, I read a lot, I'm still eager to learn, I want to help others and I give it my best shot." With the kind of dedication she has shown, her pleasant attitude, patience, eagerness to help and her drive, Rayford certainly commands the aloha and respect of Waianae youths and parents. Her husband, John, is a title searcher by profession and is very supportive of her involvement.