At-risk youth lack positive peer role
models. Early encounters with such peer role models help shape an alternative
and constructive pathway for at-risk youth.
The challenge for young role models to
empower their at-risk peers is that they are not yet fully aware of their own
success nor have mastered the art of storytelling, i.e. using a personal
narrative to inspire others. They are students, young professionals or have started
their own business – in the early stages of their careers.
The Tindall-Funded project showcases
Waikato-based interviewees, matching the needs, backgrounds and ethnicities of
our target audience. Stories are about building self-confidence, overcoming
peer pressure and educational barriers, coping with disability and acknowledging
small steps achievements.
Learning from virtual peers differentiates
this project from others who showcase famous figures, of different age,
socioeconomic or cultural characteristics to target audience – hence are
difficult for at-risk youth to identify with. It also differs from ongoing
one-on-one mentoring situations, which are increasingly more difficult to
establish and sustain and typically leave a large proportion of at-risk youth
without access to these powerful narratives of success.
Using technology to help close gaps. Our target age group responds well to audiovisual material
and is, in fact, already learning from online resources of untested
quality. One advantage of building this learning platform is to collate a library of ‘virtual’ role models displaying high quality positive
narratives that at-risk youth can identify with and learn from.
We offer this learning package online and
via DVDs, aiming to spread our storytelling methodology to Youth and Community
Development organisations to strengthen our collective capacity and become even
more effective at delivering quality services for our communities. See our Contact page to reach our
project director Dr. Annick Janson.
Project done in collaboration with The HubYouth Services.
Heartfelt thanks to our funder the Tindall Foundation.
