not your high school cafeteria...not your high school cafeteria 10 operating rules from a “youth...
TRANSCRIPT
Not Your high school cafeteria 10 operating rules from a “youth driven space”
@youthdriven
John Weiss, Director of Strategic Initiatives
Will Ross, Teen Intern
Take a Stance
An activity to reflect on youth voice
and decision making in your
organization or program
The Phat Guerilla Guidebook
to Starting a Successful Teen
Center 10 rulez of the road
Not a thing
anymore!
Not Your High School Cafeteria
Quote/Story
The Ethic
The Practice
The Challenge
The Skinny
A Subversive Guide to
Youth-Driven Programming
RULE #1
“It is easy for visitors to hear the enthusiasm springing from teens’
voices when kids talk about what programs they are involved in.
What isn’t easy to see is why the Neutral Zone truly works. In my
point of view, the Neutral Zone is so successful because it lives and
breathes its mission statement. Teens are not only integral to every
organizational level, they are supported and stretched by adults at
every step.”
– Emma Tolman, former teen participant, teen board member
& Neutral Zone staff member
Know Who You Are! The mission, the mission, the mission
Know Who You Are! The mission, the mission, the mission
RULE #2 For Teens, By Teens
Keeping it real by letting teens really lead
interest Elementary Ages
Teen Years
interest
Consider a “Hobby” you enjoy…
What is your hobby? How did you get into it? Why do
you enjoy it? In what ways is it different than your
work?
Intrinsic Motivation
Intrinsic
Motivation
Curiosity Enjoyment
Control Challenge
Teen Advisory:
A Model for Youth voice, decision making &
Engagement
Official Board Committee
Approves new weekly programs
Engages in grant making to other programs
Program advocacy
Co-leads organization program evaluation
For Teens by Teens
RULE #3
Teens Should be Seen AND Heard
It might get loud ... But don’t cover your ears
WHY? Teens w/educational opportunities in creative arts*
have
higher GPAs
lower dropout rates
better attitudes about community
Over 70% of employers reported that creativity &
innovation are critical skills for new employees;
however, 55% of them feel that new workforce
entrants are lacking in these areas**.
**Casner–Lotto, Jill. “Are They Really Ready To Work? Employers’ Perspectives on the Basic Knowledge and Applied Skills
of New Entrants to the 21st Century U.S. Workforce.” Work- force Readiness Project Team, 2006.
*The arts and achievement in at-risk youth: Findings from four longitudinal studies. Catterall, J. S., Dumais, S. A., &
Hampden-Thompson, G. (2012). The arts and achievement in at-risk youth: Findings from four longitudinal studies.
Washington, DC: National Endowment for the Arts.
How do we expect youth to be
prepared to serve as citizens in a
democratic society if we don’t
give them opportunities to make
real decisions in their youth?
RULE #4
Let them Run the Store
How Do They Run the Store?
The Challenge:
Failure can be a learning experience
Evaluate the stakes
We help them NOT fail by
training
scaffolding
working in partnership
Rule #5:
Let ‘em Draw on the Walls!
The Challenge
Rule #6: Make your program a safe
space for all teens. Promote
inclusion, tolerance
Developmental Needs of
Adolescents
Physical Activity
Structure & Clear Limits
Need for Creative Expression
Need for Self Definition
Competence and Achievement
Meaningful Participation
Positive Social Interactions
Scales, P.C. (1991). A Portrait of Young Adolescents in the 1990s: Implications
for promoting healthy growth and development. Minneapolis, MN: Search
Institute/Center for Early Adolescence
Schools – Safe? Less than one-third of adolescents say that
schools provide them a caring, encouraging
environment*
A national survey of high school students
reports that 20% have been bullied in the
past 12 months**
Stats are significantly higher for students
from marginalized identities
* Search Institutes Profiles of Student Life: Attitudes and Behaviors. Search Institute® Minneanapolis, MN; (2003).
** Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (2009). Available at: www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/yrbs/ index.html
A Truly ‘NEUTRAL ZONE’
Identity-based
Programs
Bring in Some
Dope Adults
That’s not a
thing
EITHER!
How about
“awesome? Well
OK.
X
Rule 7: Bring in Some Awesome Adults
How NZ Brings in Awesome
adults
How NZ Brings in Awesome
adults
X
How NZ Brings in Awesome
adults
Rule #8 Invite Everyone to the Party
Rule 9:
No matter how
awesome your idea,
you can’t keep the
lights on without money
Who are your Best
fundraisers (ever!)?
Asking others to pick up the
check
Rule #10 The possibilities are endless
That’s Iggy Pop
The FUTURE
The FUTURE
YDS Value Proposition
Youth thrive when they have voice and
engage in genuine decision making. We
empower youth by supporting organizations
to develop new practices that lead to a
culture of youth and adult partnerships.
Youth-Adult Partnerships
multiple youth and multiple adults deliberating and
acting together
in a collective [democratic] fashion
over a sustained period of time
through shared work
intended to promote social justice, strengthen an
organization and/or affirmatively address a community
issue
Zeldin, Christen, Powers - Society for Community Research and Action -2012
Youth-Adult Partnerships
encompasses four core elements . . .
authentic decision making
natural mentors
reciprocity
community connectedness
Reflection:
With a partner, reflect on what you heard:
What affirmed your practice or knowledge?
What surprised you? What made you think?
What do you think will be some difficulties trying
to be more youth driven?
What questions do you still have?
