Plant the Seeds of Peace

ORGANIZATIONAL APPROACH

Over the past 6+ years, we have developed a unique, multi-faceted approach that creates a strong web of support for the youth that we work with. Our goal is to offer long-term programs that become part of the fabric of our partner communities, facilities and organizations.

1.Prevention Strategy: Yoga for youth in schools

Our prevention approach involves offering programs within the school system. We work specifically within elementary and secondary schools that are located in marginalized/low income regions where yoga and other resources may be less readily available and/or within the “Safe Schools” and “Alternative” programs reaching youth who are facing challenges in school. Programs are offered to selected classrooms or groups weekly over the duration of the school year.

2. Intervention Strategy: Yoga for youth involved in the justice system

Our intervention approach involves offering programs to young people who are/have in some way engaged with the criminal justice system; this may be within open custody sites, alternative sentencing programs, gang-exit initiatives, or secure custody facilities. Programs are offered at least once weekly for year-long contracts with the goal to run programs for multiple years.

3. Long-term Support Strategy: Community-based drop-in programs

Our long-term support approach involves making yoga available to youth within their own neighbourhoods. This allows for participants from our schools and custody programs to continue to practice yoga beyond their time in our formal prevention/intervention initiatives, as well as makes yoga available to a much wider range of youth: essentially anyone between the ages of 13 and 22 residing in the selected communities.

Three key components of our community-based drop in classes are: