HOPEWORKS 'N CAMDEN: Expanding the Futures of Youth

In order to empower youth to identify and develop their D.R.E.A.M.S. and own their future, the Hopeworks Formation Program organizes itself around the idea of D.R.E.A.M.S.: Dynamic Realizable Efforts to Attain and Maintain Success.

Formation is dynamic through its openness to each youth at Hopeworks. Formation is not a one-size-fits-all program, but rather a supportive environment that embraces the somebodiness and uniqueness of each youth. We seek first to listen and to know the stories of our youth and then to organize those stories into an individualized plan for success, a Personal Development Plan.

As we collaborate with each youth on her or his Personal Development Plan, we remind her or him that no one realizes D.R.E.A.M.S. without a clearly articulated vision of the future. Often, that future seems distant and far removed from the confines of current realities. To overcome this, we ask the youth to take small steps towards success. The youth then outlines in precise detail what is needed to accomplish those small steps towards success. Therefore, it becomes clear to the youth that her or his future is attainable by taking smaller steps, steps they break down into even smaller steps. As each step towards the future is taken, the youth is able to reference that particular step in relation to her or his D.R.E.A.M.S.

Once the trainee constructs a plan, the implementation of that plan may seem daunting. The youth will often need to work hard at a great number of things before she or he may realizes her or his D.R.E.A.M.S. To prevent the youth from becoming discouraged, Formation constantly calls upon the youth to claim responsibility for her or his plan and hold her or himself accountable to that plan. We observe factors like attendance, punctuality, self-initiative, and curriculum progress to demonstrate to the youth responsible actions. Moreover, as we reinforce concepts like punctuality or respect through rules and policies, we remind youth that we do this in an effort to hold them accountable for their progress here which is part of their overall progress towards their future.

As youth work with their Personal Development Plans, we recognize the need many youth have to experience success. With that understanding, we celebrate with them things that they are doing right, their accomplishments, their progress and their strengths. Each meeting with a youth begins with questions like “What are you doing well?” or “What has been good this week?” We feel that by concentrating our efforts on the positive aspects of a youth, we can create a culture of hope where we can activate and mobilize the positive aspects of a youth’s life to overcome the weaknesses and negative forces they face.