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 adult Way Makers who also share that background to help youth embrace who they are and develop skills that align with their long term goals and passions.
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.
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.
Our Programming + 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.
'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.
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Programming Descriptions
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1. Snack + Study TimeWe 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.
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2. Community MentoringYouth 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.
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3. Restorative PracticesPracticing 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. |
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4. Youth DevelopmentYouth teams will come together to participate in Step It Up 2 Thrive, an evidence-based youth development curriculum that helps youth
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5. Program DevelopmentYouth 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. |
More Details + Definitions
- Youth = middle schoolers throughout the Triangle area who are interested in expanding their capacity to thrive and impact their communities by learning and jobshadowing with adults, practicing communication skills, and developing neurological skill for thriving. We champion youth from a wide variety of economic, racial, cultural, and experiential backgrounds and are excited to support them develop their interests, skills and capacity for thriving. Apply or recommend youth here.
- Facilitators = young adults from diverse backgrounds who enjoy youth and model racial equity, engaged learning and growth, and community building. Facilitators will act as the youth’s chaperones, coaches and champions. They will provide transportation and supervise youth at community mentor sites and throughout Grow Your Wolrd programming. They will also model healthy communication and will provide youth with coaching and a supportive sounding board. Facilitators w ill receive weekly professional development to ensure racial equity, coaching, restorative practices, the Step It Up 2 Thrive curriculum, and other professional development needs the facilitators identify are supported. Learn more about the facilitator position here. Inquire here to be a Facilitator.
- Teams = Youth will be organized into small groups of three or four based on their interests and pick-up location. Each team will have a designated facilitator who supports their safety and thriving. Teams will operate independently to cater to the interests of each team. They will also come together with other teams for youth development, program development and restorative practices programming.
- Community Mentors = Community members who are enriched by the hobbies, skills and professions in their own lives who want to share one or more of those activities with young people. Community mentors offer an hour or more of their time to bring a team of youth into their workspace or community space to have a hands-on experience of these activities to open young people's eyes to potential outlets for the youth's skills and interests. Community mentors will receive time in our timebank for all time contributed to support youth. Inquire here to be a Community Mentor.
- Community Organizations and Businesses = We welcome community organizations and businesses to partners with us! If you're interested in providing field trip, workshop opportunities or space for a team of youth, please get in touch here! If you're a restaurant, cafe, or coffee shop interested in providing study space and a snack, click here instead!
- Our programming is community-based, operating in local businesses, restaurants and public spaces, exposing youth to their community. Get in touch here to offer space use.
- Transportation will be provided to, from and throughout Grow Your World.
- All adults who participate in the program will be screened and background checked. Additionally, all facilitators must have a clean driving record. Click here to get involved as a mentor or a facilitator.
- Our program is fully insured.