Living Values Education Activities for At-Risk Youth and Young Offenders

These resources for youth 14-years and older weave in values activities on peace, respect, love, cooperation, honesty, humility and happiness, with lessons related to crime, violence, drug use, gang involvement, negative influences and concomitant emotional issues, along with the building of social and relapse-prevention skills.

 

Value of Freedom
This picture for the value of freedom was created by a Living Values Education student from Brazil, Josias Jeronimo.

 

Based on Living Values Education methodology, educators are asked to create a values-based atmosphere. Participants are encouraged to explore and develop values in a group-facilitated process by first exploring their own dreams for a better world. Lessons on peace and respect build self-confidence and a supportive values-based atmosphere in the group, prior to beginning choice- related lessons in which participants are asked to explore and share their journey and the consequences in their lives.

The 90 lessons in Living Values Education Activities At-Risk Youth and the 103 lessons in Living Values Education Activities for Young Offenders include experiences to help young adults deal with their pain and anger, learn to self-regulate more effectively, and learn life-lessons. Positive intrapersonal and interpersonal social skills are taught, encouraged and practiced in the facilitated activities. In Living Values Education Activities At-Risk Youth, a series of stories is related to engage the young adults in a process of healing and to learn about a culture of peace and respect. Through discussion, art, role-playing and dramas, participants explore many aspects of their experiences and build relapse-prevention skills.

 

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Living Values Education Young Offenders Workshop

Living Values Education offers a special training to educators, counsellors, probation officers, drug counsellors and personnel at juvenile offender facilities to learn to implement Living Values Education Activities for Young Offenders. This professional development workshop incorporates the elements of the regular Living Values Education Educator Workshop and adds sessions to practice skills and do the activities particular to this particular resource.

 


Living Values Education Activities for Young Offenders is intended for use with incarcerated young people.

 

This workshop varies in length, depending on the needs of the educators or institution. However, at least a six-day professional development workshop is recommended in order to impart the needed skills for optimal implementation. A Living Values Education Facilitator will consult with the requesting agency to determine the needs.

The Living Values Education Activities for Young Offenders resource is extensive. Learn more about Living Values Education Activities for Young Offenders

Results with At-Risk Youth

In Vietnam, educators reported considerable decreases in aggression and at-risk behaviors.  They noted about the young people: "Now they are confident and friendly with adults and their peers. There is almost no conflict in the classes and they now do not get into trouble after school either. The students have also developed many skits on how to keep safe from dangerous adults and really enjoy performing them. Now when they are on the streets and see children that are new to the streets they give support and advice to the new children and invite them to meet their teacher and join their classes."