How might we create avenues of self expression that will improve the psychological resiliency of the youth in the Far Rockaways?
Articulate
Art & mentorship program for at-risk youth in the Rockaways
Role
Strategist, Field Research, Workshop Facilitator
Team
Alexa Jensen, Sneha Srinivasan and DrewVanderburg
External Partners
Design Trust for Public Space • Rockaway Waterfront Alliance
ARTiculate is an art & mentorship program for at-risk youth in the Rockaways. At-risk youth are adolescents who are shown to less likely transition into adulthood with confidence and economic self-sufficiency.
Statistics in our research have shown high numbers of high-school dropout rates, unemployment, high rates of teenage pregnancy, increasing population, high crime rates . These are listed as some of the characteristics or observed markers for at-risk areas which trickles down to the youth in the effects of emotional and behavioural problems, low self-esteem, drugs and crime, low academic performance, truancy, lack of interest in academics. Our program is aimed at psychological resilience which we feel is essential for the youth in the Rockaways to cope with the aforementioned risk factors. We are defining ‘Psychological resilience’ for the youth in the Rockaways as having a healthy self esteem and self identity, a strong sense of purpose and a belief in success - including goal direction, educational aspirations, motivation, persistence and optimism. Download Full Presentation here.
ARTiculate has five goals:
Short-term:
- Increased self-esteem, confidence, and ability to cope with adversity
- Marketable creative skills that can lead to future employment
- New perspectives gained on their personal issues by viewing it through the eyes /ears of the audience
Long Term:
- Increased emotional health and psychological resilience in the Rockaways community
- Increased capacity for youth to make informed choices about their futures
