2021 COMBAT Mid-Year Funding: $55,086.00

in Blue Hills Neighborhood Association’s Own Words

“Each and every child in this country is valuable because they are our future as a society. We cannot afford to lose a single child to ill health, under education, abuse, addiction, jail, or gun violence. American’s highest goal should be for each child to grow up to be a successful young adult; healthy, educated, free, secure and a good citizen.” — John F. Kerry.

There was a time in the public education system that good citizenship was an important part of the curriculum, part of a well-rounded life education for young people. A study, by pollsters Steven Farkas and Anne Duffett, examining the state of citizenship education in American high schools, shows that only 45% of public-school teachers agreed that their school treats social studies as an absolute essential subject. Yet 92% of public school teachers understand its importance and ranks five priorities schools should have regarding the teaching of citizenship.

These five priorities include internalizing core values, such as tolerance and equality, and promoting civic behavioral service, such as voting and community service. Through the Blue Hills Neighborhood Restorative Justice Program, we can fill this void. We are a grassroots organization that deals with young people and their families in their home environment daily. This part of the program would be designed to help youth participants answer the question “What is a Good Citizen?” Each youth participant will receive a source quote that discusses citizenship, then rewrite it in their own words creating a life statement of purpose. This statement will be the foundation for goal setting in their personal and professional life plan that is created.

Based on the goals set by the youth participant, the Blue Hills Neighborhood Association’s Restorative Justice Program will assist with personal development, job and career training opportunities, and financial literacy to foster economic independence.

The Restorative Justice Program involves a holistic approach to personal development and economic stability for at-risk and identified vulnerable youths, ages (13-17) in Central Kansas City, MO. Using the evidence-based Theory of Change model as outlined by The Annie E. Casey Foundation (Theory of Change: A Practical Tool For Action, Results and Learning), Blue Hills Neighborhood Association Restorative Justice Program seeks to  provide a pathway of change program that encompasses practical cognitive behavioral and conflict resolution skills, coupled with workforce readiness and retention strategies that discourage negative interactions with family members, law enforcement, peers and individuals in their communities.

Areas of focus include:

• Facilitating entry-level employment opportunities for youth (career options, on-the-job training and entrepreneurship readiness).
  
  
• Bringing together youth and local law enforcement (increase trust and encourage open dialogue).
  
  
• Working readiness workshops (mock interviews, resume building, and job seeking skills).
  
  
• Providing a social support system comprised of nurturing and competent adults and peers   (career coaching, adult/peer mentoring, community interaction officers).
  
  
• Teaching financial responsibility (budgeting and financial management skills).
  
  
• Encouraging healthy relationship behaviors (conflict resolution, healthy relationship processes, social and interpersonal skills).