F.L.A.Y.V.A. Workshops
Conflict Resolution:
We will utilize reality based, community building exercises in a workshop setting. These Workshops will be offered at local Public Schools and churches as requested. These workshops will offer students the opportunity to find creative, non-destructive ways to channel aggression and avoid conflict in a variety of settings. Special emphasis will be placed on how to use non-aggressive, non-threatening language to de-escalate potentially volatile situations.
Workshop Formats:
a) An after school activity: different concepts will be introduced during an after school setting to take place 2x per week in one hour increments
b) A weekend workshop activity: a 16 hour workshop designed to focus on one of the following areas – community building, communication or de-escalating conflict. All three areas will be covered in any workshop, but special emphasis can be placed on one area based on need. The workshops will begin on Friday evening, running from 5 to 9 PM, continue on Saturday from 9 to 5 PM and conclude on Sunday from 2 to 6 PM.
c) A one or two hour workshop designed to get individuals to attend the more comprehensive workshops mentioned above. The workshops can be delivered at schools and youth serving organizations.
Outcomes After taking the F.L.A.Y.V.A. workshop:
a) Students will Learn how to verbalize dislikes, complaints and anger in a non destructive manner. Students will also learn community building skills and develop an understanding of commonalities that will “humanize” potential adversaries and decrease violent behavior amongst students.
b) Facilitators will identify students who show a particular grasp of and interest in the materials and identify them as future facilitators/peer educators in their particular environment (school, church, home, etc.)
Target Population:
Public School Teens with Behavioral Issues; Out of School Youth Ages 14-24; foster care population; individuals seeking to become self-sufficient.
Using our own assessment tool, we will allow participants to gauge where they are in their lives and where they wish to go. This will be done through group discussion and guided reflections. Once participants have realistically assessed themselves, they will be encouraged to complete a "FLAYVA Contract", which will allow them to decide where they would like to go in life and what steps they will take to get there.
Once the contract is complete, they will be required to check in via e-mail and telephone with their counselor who will mark their progress.
F.L.A.Y.V.A. will offer basic case management, employment preparedness and other life skills related services. These services will be available at schools, churches and other community serving organizations upon request. F.L.A.Y.V.A. will come in and conduct workshops and will also provide independent workshops open to the public for registration several times per year.
Gang Intervention Target Population: Youth at risk for
and involved in gang activity.
Our workshop will feature a "keep it real" motivational speech from a "FLAYVA Coach", an individual whose life was adversely affected by gangs, prison or some involvement in criminal activity.
The coach will use his or her own life experience to show the participants that gang involvement is a dangerous first step toward prison or the cemetery. Since gangs see themselves as a family unit, no matter how dysfunctional, we will use this phraseology and thinking to illustrate what families truly are and what they truly do, further redirecting the thinking of our young people to more appropriate behavior.
Each workshop will be unique, taking momentum from the life experiences of the coach and participants, building to a climax that will include the completion of a FLAYVA contract and, hopefully, entry into a more appropriate way of thinking and behaving.
Redemption Through The Arts (RTA)
RTA will provide young people with practical, hands on experience in the areas of Theater, Promotions, Music Production and Video Production. Our goal and purpose is to help young people learn how to be Record Producers, Video Directors and Editors, Promoters, Directors, Stage Managers and other vocations within the entertainment industry.
The proceeds from each event/project will used toward the college education of each young person involved. Our first group will launch in fall, 2005.