Community Building Framework: Giving Voice to Youth in Community

Presented by: Andrew Van Eden

Define the purpose for engagement Understand who you will engage

◦ Do you need to engage multiple groups? What is the end result (GOALS) you are

seeking?

Setting the Stage - CONTEXT

“A tool for participatory community analysis”

Four Worlds International Institute for Human and Community Development

www.4worlds.org/4w/ssr/APPENDIX.htm

Adapted from this model for a smaller more defined group and purpose

The Community Story Framework

What’s happening now?

What can we learn from the past?

What would a healthy future look like?

What do we have to do to get to that healthy future?

Four Basic Questions

Specific Details?◦ Four parts of self◦ Community or

school aspects◦ Leave

open/abstract

What is life like now…

Purpose of Question◦ Get out all the

frustrations of the issue

Goal◦ Set the groundwork for

the perception of the situation right now

◦ Get issues and concerns out so that change can become focus

What is life like now at North Van Secondary?

Example Question 1

Safety

Support

Learning

Expectations

Options for Recording:◦ Sticky notes◦ Strips of paper in

basket◦ Recording◦ Artwork

What can we learn from the past… Purpose of Question

◦ Connect to how life was◦ Connect to others

experiences

Goal◦ Seek examples of how

the past was better/worse/same as now

◦ Seek parents or elders input as guide

What can we learn from the past about education?◦ What was school like for previous generations?◦ How was education valued?◦ How did we learn traditionally?

Example Question 2

Two-Part Question:◦ Interpersonal◦ Personal

What would life be like if it were good/healthy/balanced… Purpose of Question

◦ Shift focus to positive◦ Begin thinking about

the future

Goal◦ Identify what they

want◦ Get specific

What would life be like at North Van Secondary if it were good/healthy/balanced?

Example Question 3.1(Interpersonal)

Safety

Support

Learning

Expectations

What would life be like at North Van Secondary if it were good/healthy/balanced?

Example Question 3.2 (Personal)

Safety

Support

Learning

Expectations

Two-Part Question:◦ What has to

happen◦ What do we have

to do

What has to happen and what do we have to do to get from where we are now to where we want to go…

Purpose of Question◦ Connect previous

questions◦ Plan for future

Goal◦ Create specific actions to

resolve current problems

What has to happen and what do we have to do to get from where we are now to where we want to go?

What has to happen?

What do we have to do?

Example Question 4

NOW 2012

Summarize input from youth using their language

Focus on where there is consensus

Let final report be the starting process!!

Conclusion