Community Development Approaches And Mentoring Program For Youth – Plan And Implementation Guide

Community development approach

Brief definition/explanation of the approach

Needs-based approach

The community in focus has needs featuring educational, sexual behaviour, psychological counselling and sports among others. The needs approach focus on the community and its underlying needs. In order to identify these needs, a community developer look at the youth groups in the community.  These include sports groups and learning institutions (Soriano, 2012)

Gap-based approach

This approach focuses at the specific objectives of the community in this case the drops in educational school attendance and the increased cases of petty crimes (Ritchie, Lewis, & Ormston, 2013). A gap-based approach will try to find out if the number of young people affected and what they could be missing in upbringing or psychological counselling.

Asset-based approach

This problem solving approach considers strengths and deficits that the community has in terms of resources. In this cases study, the community has a productive age that faces unemployment. Its strengths include the social cohesion from the family and the youth centre.

Rights-based approach

A right based approach focuses on the best way to transform the society using human rights. It would look at the any violations to the rights of the Aborigines youth groups such as discrimination in education and health care. Strengthening the capacity of the youth centre to offer these rights is one of the solutions (Ife, 2012).

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The rights based approach is ideal because it is the best when dealing with humanitarian issues. The case involves the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community who are minority groups.  As a community, they have rights.  These are not just an ordinary group of young people but also an indigenous group with a history. The Aborigines have stories of rights violations that has affected generations. Research shows that cases of inequality, emotional distress, and delinquency is rife among this group because of these. In equality in the education, system is the reason behind the unemployment while poor access nutrition is evident in lack of meals. Poverty results from the violation of basic rights such as poor income and joblessness. Young people in this group are depressed because of the social environment within which they live in. A rights based approach will explain why there are high rates of psychological or mental problems among the group. It highlights reasons behind the drug abuse and alcoholism among these teenagers and young adults. The approach also provides an inquiry into transformational solutions that can change the social problems using evidence based initiatives.

Development area

Effect on development (approx. 25 words per effect)

Example (approx. 25 words per example)

Personal

Lack of basic life skills leads to poor thought processes

lack of problem solving skills leads to desperation

Poor cognitive development

Ignorance hinders effective planning for life.

Poor academic skills reduces for employability

Underdeveloped cognitive skills means inability to make independent career choices

Social

Lack of a social network system leads to isolation

Poor interpersonal skills breeds criminal thoughts

Peer pressure leads to delinquent behaviour and complicated sexual relations

Broken social networks leading to peer pressure and lack of sexual education implies poor choices like early marriage, teenage pregnancy and miscarriages/abortion.

Relationships

Broken homes and families as adolescents run away from homes

Unstable homes and high single parenthood

Increased divorce rates caused by conflicts. Family separations as children and young people leave homes searching for jobs.

High economic dependencies overburdening young people

The participants at the interagency meeting unanimously agree that some action must be taken to encourage these young people to attend school more regularly. Several different suggestions about how to do this are discussed by the group, including trying to offer incentives for attending school, holding a parent’s conference, or police cracking down and issuing more fines for truancy.

1) It has legal consequences which instils compliance from all young people, parents and community

2) It is the best way to deal with delinquent or petty crime habits because it discourages illegal actions

3) It uses an institutionalised approach to reinforce the legal approaches

Advantage

Disadvantage

Individual Approach

It offers personalised solutions for specific causes and effects

It is difficult to monitor all individual cases effectively

Group Approach

The approach is holistic and integrative. It provides numerous ideas for solutions in complex issues

It gives a generalised approach and may ignore individual developments such as psychological causes for certain behaviour

It is decided that using a strengths-based approach is most likely to produce the best outcomes for the young people in the town.

A meeting participant highlights the fact that the youth centre you are part of has a very popular and thriving AFL team, which is well attended by many of the young people who are not engaging in school very well. It is suggested that a group is formed relating to the young people’s shared interest in AFL and providing an incentive or encouragement for them to attend school more regularly.

The meeting draws to a close and you are given the responsibility to formulate a plan for how this initiative can be carried out.

1) Learning institutions or games departments

2) Church based or religious organizations in the area

3) Youth leaders in the community

You have carried out your initial consultations with the relevant groups you have listed above. You have together decided on a plan for the group.

The centre will take the lead on running a youth AFL mentoring program in the town, which will be associated with their popular AFL team. The mentoring program will be held at the local school and be co-facilitated by one of your colleagues and the high school physical education teacher. You are aiming to engage a high profile AFL team in your region to support the initiative and to come and provide some AFL skills workshops in your town.

The aim of the program will be to engage the older students in a program of AFL skills development, which also incorporates education about being a good mentor and leader within a sporting context. After engaging in this course, the older students will be given responsibility to mentor and coach younger players in the sport. By participating in the program, they will also have the opportunity to participate in the skills workshops run by the high profile AFL team. The program will only be eligible for students who have an 80% or higher attendance rate at school during the program period. The program is initially planned for a six-month trial, with the aim of continuing it longer term if it is meeting its outcomes.

What type of venue/s will be required?

Learning centre is ideal for the physical education training using theoretical lessons. These will incorporate audio-visual learning tools and techniques for practical lesson from the AFL team. Sports centers will also provide a base for physical training and practice. These facilities include the high school, church, community social, and AFL sports grounds.

What equipment or resources will be necessary?

For the actual sports, they need balls, gym equipment, skipping ropes, uniforms and protective gear. A fully equipped sports centre will have changing rooms and a shower.

Projectors and audio-visual equipment for the classroom lessons. A supply of stationery material, desks and chairs is also necessary.

What, if any, administrative support will the program require?

The program needs a system for registration of its members. The project shall depend on an online application to encourage the use of technology for the youth. This shall be under the administrative office, which shall also facilitate the preparation of the projects, meals and contingency plans.

Will the program require financial support? Where could you source these funds from?

The program needs $10000 support for its initial plans. In order to ensure its sustainability it requires regular funds for projects. These are funds from partnership programs like NGOs involved in youth events, training programs and indigenous groups. The Australian government is also part of the project. Any support from churches and well-wishers is also viable.

What specialist expertise may you need to draw upon in your planning?

Project management provides a foundation for basic planning from the onset to completion of the project. It also helps in the monitoring process to check for gaps in the plan for future improvements. Within the plan is budgeting for accountability and research for evidence-based decision-making.

What work health and safety requirements need to be considered?

Regular medical check-up for all young people in sports. Clean and safe sports grounds with proper garbage collection. A regular supply of clean drinking water is also advisable. The ground shall also have a security system for the administrative office.

1) Interviews done on a regular basis to inquire from individual participants highlight gaps in the plan. This allows for changes in the plan and it brings out suggestions on how to introduce new ideas. The use of open questions provides an effective tool of communication from the planning team and the participants. It is important for the young people to feel part of the team. Interviews give them a chance to participate in the decision process by giving ideas for improvement.

2) The website and social media is also another platform for interaction (Piskorski, 2011). Young people can connect with the project through discussions, comments and highlights. It provides a contemporary approach for peers to connect and participate in important and social issues. Facebook and Twitter allow them to interact with young people around the globe. Instagram is another platform for sharing event actions with NFL professionals. Such links widen the young people’s mind to stimulate and engage their imagination. Technology video links like YouTube also have credible information for learners.  

3) Forums for discussion and focus groups provide concrete discussions to allow young people to share their thoughts.  A mixed group for all age groups allows former members to give advice to the new members. Mentorship through forums facilitates for external coaching from professionals. This is important for motivating the students. It enables the group to exchange experiences. Young people learn easily from role models and using successful examples is one of the best ways to model their thoughts and approaches to learning.

1) Multilingual learning opportunities allow diverse communities to coexist with each other through cultural exchange. This includes learning a common language like English and French for official purposes. This does not imply neglecting native language. Holding History discussions on landmark events for the communities allows young people to learn about their past in order to bridge the culture gap.

2) The incorporation of cultural activities like dancing, singing and performance arts in sports and social activities is important for social coexistence. It encourages cohesion and acceptance of the minority groups as part of the system. It is important for young people to learn how to appreciate new culture in order to embrace others. It also encourages the youth to be proud of their own culture and values.   

You have carried out your consultation and everyone is on board and excited to begin this new group. The group has been advertised to the young people in the community and you have spoken to many young people who are excited about participating in the group.

The first session of the group is due to be held next week, so you need to develop a plan about how the first week will be run.

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A good introduction is important because it sets the pace for the group. First impression highlights the agenda, mission and vision of the group. It develops the plan of activities for the participants using simple communication strategies. On the list is the:

· Highlight of the group goals and objectives

· Mention of the supporting groups like donors and NGOs

· Membership procedure

· Analysis of individual cases and review of working teams

The process also considers the depth of the process, approach and budget. The availability of resources determines the scope of the work and teams involved. At the onset, the team discusses the direction taken by the project.

Stage of group development

Description of the stage (approx. 50-75 words)

Types of behaviour you may expect to see (approx. 50-75 words)

Forming

This is the development of the appropriate direction. It assigns roles and responsibilities while streamlining the objectives adopted. It also incorporates external plans of partners in the initiative for a holistic approach. The leadership takes a situational mode to provide appropriate direction for the team.

Leadership at the stage steers the project towards the right direction. Focused behaviour is important if the leader needs to sell the vision to the followers.

Members also have to adopt to the group and this calls for tolerance of each members as everyone brings out their strengths and weaknesses.

Storming

This involves the participation of the team. The members establish networks and they learn to cope with the challenges. The team continues to familiarise with each other and the unknown. This is a stage of interdependence as members learn to learn on each other for emotional support. At this stage, there is a struggle for power as members form cliques.

At this stage, members learn to compromise and there is struggle for popularity. Individuals sell their agenda, strengths and attributes for others to make judgements on who becomes a leader within the team and who is a follower. The stage shows persistence, commitment and engagement practices. It also separates the strong from the overbearing characters.

Norming

This is a stage where members reach a consensus on the proposed modes of leadership, roles and membership responsibilities. The groups sets out to delegate roles within smaller teams under a unified goal. Working groups decide on the most effective mode of operation and the best approach that members are comfortable to undertake.

This is a stage of acceptance, delegation of roles and submission of members. The stage also expects members to have a sharing attitude. There is demonstration of cooperation and unity as members participate in different functions. It shows partnerships as groups form smaller unions

Performing

At this stage, the team is aware of its roles and focus. Its members have adopted the group’s vision and mode of operation. Each member and team is aware of his or her tasks and functions. Leaders are in charge of group and personal initiatives. The delegation process is at its peak and everyone looks towards the successful completion of the project.

This is stage of awareness, insight and focus. Members how dedication, zeal and autonomy. This independence is crucial in decision-making. Disagreements may arise but the leaders are in control-they show oversight of the process. Teams are also interdependent and helpful to each other. Delegation is at the team level and disagreements may arise due to conflict of interest.  

Adjourning/Mourning

This is a stage of break up because the project has reached completion. This is a stage of change from the place of uncertainty to a feeling of steadiness. Members feel good about their accomplishment and they connected because of the shared experience. The bond grows and there is a feeling of recognition.

The team exhibits contentment, achievement and fulfilment. The group members also feel secure because of the achievements made. This is a stage of, empathy, and dominance for the leader. Members are drawn to each other. They express closeness and unity. Leaders feel content and responsible. This is a stage of hope and fulfilment (Tuckman & Harper, 2012).

Structural disadvantage and inequality

It creates uniformity because it gives members a chance to participate. This gives them confidence across different stages. Members abide by rules and behaviour, which the team establishes. It helps in the development of a common agenda so that each member feels part of the team. It gives the team a chance to analyse behaviours through its autonomy. It has flexible roles and different styles for all member’s participation. There is no external influence hence the group makes independent decisions suitable for all its members.

The empowerment of young people

Young people are able to show their personality including frustrations and they can disagree. Delegating allows members to take part the functions across different levels. The motivation encourages members across levels for a holistic development of the team. The organization mode encourages autonomy and interdependence, which empowers young people socially and individually. It is ideal for team building exercise that consider strengths and weaknesses in order to improve on each member’s capacity within the specified manageable groups (Tuckman & Harper, 2012)

Community participation for the young people

The approach is essential in encouraging teamwork. Through the participation of different teams within one group. Members learn to support each other. Its framework provides solutions for conflict resolution based on reliable leadership modes. It enhances cohesion and communication through the norming, storming and forming stages. It also sustains the group towards the completion of the project. Individual participation shows interdependence to one another and members learn from the differences. Members’ familiarisation with each other allows them to bond and interact as they network.

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Management of the project includes proper storage of records through an organized process. This includes filing and using digital record systems that are safe. Privacy for all personal records is necessary. This is done by putting in place regulations that prevent unauthorized access to private data. Software security systems for online data management prevents unauthorized access from external parties.

A proper system facilitates for short term and long term records. In order to avoid keeping records indefinitely, the plan incorporates a period for the expiry of documents. A back up system for the storage of legal documents includes payment from donor, health and safety details. Clarity in the records ensures easier retrievals and maintenance (Hardy, R;, 2017).

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The sustainability of the program depends on the community participation. The involvement of the larger community ensures that future projects borrow lessons from the current. Investment in research creates gaps for new projects. It is also important to have a good relationship with the young people in the community. These clients recommend future generations to similar programs. Skill development strengthens the program managers for future management. Keeping the environment clean is also a sustainability approach (Dewane, 2011).  Economic empowerment of the young people in the group is also a strategy that breeds future investors for the program. The involvement of the government is critical because it protects the program from exploitation and encourages legal implementation.