Applying the Maker Model to the human service field
Pancho Timmons
World-class Parkinson's Disease fighter. Ragingly Dyslexic. Multi-Racial. Doggy Daddy. With a fiendish plot to infect the world with kindness and acceptance.
As the timeless saying goes if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself!" Pennsylvania Youth Initiative began as a grassroots group of parents and professionals who were looking for ways to fill gaps in services and give youth with disabilities, and their parents, a voice. It is now a rising nonprofit. And serves as an example of how the Maker Movement and start up movement can be applied to the human service field.
PYI is an example of how people and agencies can partner together to make/develop grassroots programming using the principles/ideology of the Maker Movement. “The Maker Movement Manifesto” (Mark Hatch, 2014) has several key principles, such as Make, Share, Give and Learn. By using this model, any dedicated group of people can work towards making positive changes and improvements for themselves and others in their community.
Our programs address some of the most paramount issues facing youth with disabilities. Our prerogative is to engage youth in the most exciting and innovative way possible. We create programming that makes youth more prepared for the world of work and life in general.
Making is an essential part of the human experience. It can be considered gratifying and personal to create something meaningful/useful to oneself and others. This also applies to programs or things that are more physical/tangible.
Sharing what we have made and learned is part of what makes us feel accomplished and achieved. There is much gratification in watching others benefit from your work and what you have shared.
Giving someone something that you have made is like giving a small piece of yourself. Whether that is an idea or something tangible, giving someone something you have made is always worthwhile and fulfilling.
Making often requires learning. Lifelong learning is a positive goal for everyone. The more you know the more you can make and the more you can share.
These principles can be applied to developing resources and programs for people in need. These programs can be seemingly simple in nature but have a big impact on one’s local community. It all starts with a need, an idea and a group of people who what to make their community a better place to live!
H. Pancho Timmons - Founder & CEO Pennsylvania Youth Initiative