POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

Waking the Village integrates youth development into every aspect of its program. Rather than monitor, Waking the Village partners with youth and young adults to pursue goals. We expect that youth want a meaningful future that includes higher education, a good home, and a professional career. We honor each youth’s right to name goals and define the work she or he commits to. We create a community where youth and staff collaborate to shape policies, assess needs, and create options to explore self and community. We recruit staff with the passions and expertise to lead workshops and coach powerfully, limiting case loads to 4 so that EVERY challenge a resident faces can be confronted with the support of a reliable adult. Finally, we connect personal development to community projects and real world experiences that allow the practice and prove the worth of an array of leadership and independent living skills. Key program elements include:

Each youth collaborates with a coach to identify needs and goals. These goals, and the steps to them, are articulated in a Transition Plan authored by each resident.

Intake assessments identify and put to use existing strengths, skills and resiliency.

Evaluation of program success is based on youth designated indicators in each youth’s transition plan. All evaluation is conducted in dialog and partnership with staff.

Residents participate in weekly house meetings to manage and address concerns within community.

Youth develop leadership and lead service projects.

Youth evaluate programs regularly to assess quality and suggest changes.

Morning meetings offer a daily forum to share immediate needs and define the day’s schedule.

Youth plan and lead recreation, including holiday events, birthdays, game nights, and trips.

WRAP: Wellness and Recovery Action Plans put control in the hands of each youth as each defines the guidelines for responding to challenges and crisis in maintaining mental wellness.

These practices promote the development of each client’s positive identity by allowing self-determination, by identifying strengths and positive behaviors, and by giving space to practice and develop competencies through frequent social engagement and governance opportunities.