THE SITUATION

Thanks to technology—and particularly smartphones and social media—young people are more connected to their world now than ever before! Yet all too often—with the exception of a select few—young people remain largely disconnected from their communities and local government, at a time when they need a wider supportive environment the most!

It is more critical than ever that young people not only be seen AND heard, but also that they FEEL that their contributions are valued. Young people who are of age, CAN and SHOULD speak to their own experiences. They should be given the freedom and support they need to design solutions to the problems plaguing their generation—including, acute loneliness, public health problems, and systemic injustices.

Y.O.U.R. (Youth Organizing and Uniting to Re-Power) Development™ is a learn-by-doing leadership academy program facilitated by Findlay House Global. The program offers participating youth the opportunity to lead and contribute to improving the quality of life within their communities and among themselves and their peers.

Our four-phase program brings disconnected youth together in a safe space where they can bond and peacefully deal with (and ideate solutions to) the adverse risks inside their communities.

Community Solutions that are Demand-Driven, Youth-Designed, and Youth-Led!

Practical, Hands-On Training

Youth receive practical hands-on training in an interactive workshop setting with certified workshop facilitators. Throughout the program youth will have the opportunity to design a new community program or intervention, or design adjustments to existing programming, to ensure the resulting activities are demand-driven.

FHG coordinates the program in conjunction with local communities and community leaders, to ensure that the necessary funds and resources for the youth-designed program(s) and implementation are secured.

From conducting community research and interpreting the data, to designing an implementation plan that includes assigning roles for effective collective action and determining a budget and key performance indicators, youth will have the opportunity to lead their communities forward.

Academy Components

  • ACE Awareness and Trauma-Informed Care

  • Cultural/Community Awareness

  • Self-Awareness and Social Development

  • Collective Action and Community Mobilization

  • Academic Achievement and Life-Long Learning

Academy graduates (“Y.O.U.R. Youth Councilors”) demonstrate increased critical thinking and soft skills (e.g. communication, problem-solving, stress management, and more!) and are better equipped to foster positive social change within their respective community, while promoting community-ownership, positivity, and resiliency.

Communities come in all shapes and sizes.

Y.O.U.R. Development™ is a program that best serves those communities who understand that the youth of today are not only the leaders of tomorrow, but they can also be the leaders of today—if given the chance and equipped with the necessary resources!

Y.O.U.R. Development™ works well for:

  • Cities and neighborhoods

  • Counties

  • Schools