Our Methods

 Grow Your World teams up small groups of middle schoolers (no more than four kids) with similar interests, experiences, and/or identities with young adults who also share that background to help youth embrace who they are and develop skills that align with their long term goals and passions. ​

​Typically, the program takes place after school. We offer snack and homework assistance, and programming opportunities that connect youth to themselves, each other and the community-at-large. We pick youth up directly from school and drop them off at home or another safe locations after 6pm when our program ends.

*Currently Grow Your World is completely virtual due to continue to grow our community during the COVID-19 Pandemic. For more information about how Grow Your World Works Virtually - click the button below.

Our Opportunities + Flexible Schedule

We offer five types of programming to support our youth and to address our community-wide aims. 

 'Snack + Study  Time' is provided each  day, and the rest of the  programming operates on a rotating basis.  This allows youth to move fluidly between planning, learning, and practicing different skills.  The schedule also allows flexibility to work with community mentors' schedules and community spaces' availabilities.

Transportation is provided throughout the program. Youth participants will be picked up after school and can be dropped off at home.

Programming Descriptions

1. Snack + Study Time

We provide   homework assistance and  personalized coaching  at the start of each day while snacking in   local restaurants, cafes and coffee shops    that donate healthy food    and provide a table for studying. This piece of the program also happens in partnership with    schools and community centers where we offer other GYW programming.

2. Community Mentoring

Youth will learn how to reach out to community members  for  mentorship opportunities focused on their personal and professional interests. Youth will  travel to community members ' workspaces to experience  different work environments, and will learn skills and hobbies from  community members who share their  passion for that skill or interest. By building relationships with mentors, youth will be  better informed and connected to pursue their  interests and strengths professionally. In trade, community mentors will receive  time in Grow Your World's timebank  equal to the time they spend mentoring youth.

3. Restorative Practices

Practicing   communication skills  and community healing practices has been shown to increase young people’s confidence in  resolving their own conflicts,  diminishing juvenile crime, and   improving community and classroom engagement. (Source)

These practices will be utilized and modeled at all levels of the organization to repair conflict and misunderstandings as well as to develop comprehensive solutions together that  encompass all constituents' needs. 

4. Youth Development

Youth teams will come together to participate in Step It Up 2 Thrive, an evidence-based youth development curriculum that helps youth    
  1. identify and develop their interests,   
  2. build   growth mindset  skills to overcome challenges, 
  3.  identify personal  risks to thriving and personal character strengths to help themselves   succeed, and
  4. develop  goal-setting skills  that help them set and achieve their own goals.
​​This curriculum works hand-in-hand with mentoring opportunities and the individualized support youth will receive, providing holistic support for each young person.

5. Program Development

Youth will be at the forefront of identifying and reaching out to potential community mentors, leading  planning and board meetings that guide the direction of our program. Youth will also be at the helm of our  quarterly community events  that invite families and community members to come see what we're up to,  get involved and support our program.    

​Grow Your World provides scaffolding on which youth can truly grow their worlds and build the skills to  grow their universes.

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