Facilitating YES may be very different from other programs since YES is intended for youth to lead. This tip sheet provides group leaders with advice on establishing relationships, providing structural support, and overcoming obstacles.
Getting to know youth is important for making them feel comfortable with you and each other.
To do this you can:
- Greet every participant by name
Both at the beginning and during each session. - Use free time to bond with youth.
Take this time to learn about their interests, shared experiences, interesting family facts, etc. - See yourself as a mentor so your participants will see you as one.
Make yourself available to participants, let them know that you support them ( if you feel comfortable, share your email address or phone number).
Providing structural support to youth participants in YES involves giving them leadership opportunities.
To do this you can:
- Provide leadership roles for youth.
In addition to the roles outlined in the curriculum allow youth to choose activities or positions to lead. For example, youth can lead ice breakers, snack and relax time, session discussion and more. - Encourage leadership behavior amongst participants.
- Promote critical thinking (answer questions with questions).
- Emphasize the importance of team work and how it influences leadership.
Sometimes obstacles arise and as a group leader it is important to know how to handle them.
To do this you can:
- Utilize group agreements.
These agreements (in session 1.3 of the YES Curriculum) are a type of contract that identifies and upholds acceptable behavior in YES sessions. When obstacles arise refer to group agreements to hold the members accountable. - Generate group discussion surrounding obstacles.
This can create a sense of group responsibility for resolving issues and it gives youth an opportunity to voice their feelings and opinions. - Provide one on one support to youth who are experiencing problems.
Volunteers can be helpful in this way.
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