Edwin Morales, Social Work

Edwin Morales returned to his former neighbourhood with a desire to give something back to the place in which he enjoyed growing up – a place, however, that isn’t always seen as the best for young people to call home. So when a project called “Images in Action” was created in that neighbourhood, Morales was keen to take on the challenge.

The project is a partnership of several organizations to encouraging young people to affect change in Greater Forest Lawn. “This research project really inspired and motivated me to help make a change,” says Edwin Morales, a fourth-year social work student. “It was a good reminder that if you want to see the potential people have you can’t just sit in a classroom, you actually need to spend time interacting with them.”

Morales worked with young people from the Forest Lawn Dover Boys and Girls Club to determine that they primarily wanted to address graffiti and littering problems. They felt these issues contributed to the negative perceptions some Calgarians feel toward their neighbourhood.

Urban Youth Worx and students from social work, environmental design and fine arts assisted the young people to address both issues by helping them choose and create their medium for action – painting graffiti art on garbage cans that were then “adopted” by various community organizations and businesses. “Working with fellow students from other faculties really illustrated the power of collaboration,” says Morales. “Our project and the results were much stronger because a wide range of people lent their unique skills and perspectives.”

“I wanted to find an avenue to actually do what we learned about in the classroom,” says Morales. “I expected to build some of my research and project management skills but what I didn’t expect was to come away with a real respect for the need to listen to young people – they have a lot more perspective than adults give them credit for. This project built my confidence, as well as the young people involved. We now know we have the power to make a difference. I also hope I have given these youth something that may influence the paths they will take in future.”