YOU-2022-Annual-Report - Flipbook - Page 9
We affirm every person’s individuality
and humanity, taking an intersectional
approach to anti-racism and honoring all
identities in ways that advance inclusion,
equity, and justice. 94% of caregivers
say that Y.O.U. has helped their child feel
confident.
BEYOND THE COURT
Chute Middle staff developed the Beyond the Court curriculum to connect
basketball, one of our youth’s favorite activities, with life skills. Youth were
put into teams of varying skill levels, then created jerseys, mascots, and
slogans to build rapport.
Each lesson, youth worked together to complete an off-court activity
based on the day’s topic, then played basketball using the skill that they
discussed. One of their favorite lessons explored the value of teamwork,
which translated on the court through passing and receiving the ball. They
saw their teammates were willing to help them and experienced how
rewarding it felt when they could contribute something to the group.
BOUNDARY-SET TING
Although COVID lockdowns have ended, their impact is still being felt
deeply. Many youth left their classrooms as elementary children and
returned as young adults with very different expectations placed on them.
Alex Ravert, the Youth & Family Counselor for middle school, held a
weekly therapeutic group exploring consent in everyday interactions as
well as setting boundaries, a difficult issue for youth to navigate with their
peers and with the adults in their lives. At one meeting, a game of Taboo
sparked a lightbulb moment for many youth about both the harm that
language can cause as well as how to use language for self-advocacy.
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