Presenters: Amarilis Pullen, MSW, CUSSW ’12 Morgan Little, LMSW, CUSSW ‘11

Welcome&Icebreaker

WHY GROUP AGREEMENTS? •  Share the purpose upfront •  Difference between “braver or safer” spaces vs. “safe” spaces •  Centering youth voice •  Accountability in the group for all, address adultism head on •  Maintain awareness of our own identities as they relate to

systems of oppression •  Real talk •  Be nimble •  Keep it posted

PERRIN FAMILY FOUNDATION: YOUTH IN ACTION

SNLP FRAMEWORK

OUR PHILOSOPHY, WHICH IS OUR GUIDING FORCE, IS BUILT ON THE FOLLOWING BELIEFS: •  That the foundation of leadership lies in service and activism •  That positive reform will result from challenging accepted notions of

leadership •  That young women can be a catalyst for social change.

LEARNING SESSION GOALS

•  Discuss and analyze the framework of critical consciousness.

•  Apply learning and gain resources to operationalize concepts with hands-on tools, techniques and activities.

•  Any other goals we should add as a collective?

THE BIRTH OF CRITICAL CONSCIOUSNESS

“Banking education treats students as objects of assistance, problem posing education makes them critical thinkers.” ~Paulo

Freire

OVERVIEW OF CRITICAL CONSCIOUS IN YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

Critical Consciousness is the ability to recognize and analyze systems of inequality and develop a critical lens to navigate and challenge these systems.

Critical Consciousness

Critical Reflection

Critical Analysis

Critical Action

DISJOINTED OR INTERCONNECTED EC0-SYSTEM?

Spaces supporting

youth

Schools (Including

school-based programs)

Youth Organizing

Direct Service

Programs

Government Sanctioned Leadership

Boards

Religious Institutions

Youth Development

Are we fully examining the inter-connectivity between micro (individual), mezzo (community), and macro (political) levels of analysis in our social

work practice, regardless of environment?

WHAT DOES IT TAKE?

Do Your Homework and Treat Youth Experience as Knowledge

Be an Adult Ally

Commit to the Long-term Process

Give Up Power-Youth Voice/Youth-led

STEPS OF CRITICAL REFLECTION

CommunityLearning

Emo0onalEngagement

Cogni0veAwakening

Inten0ontoAct

The adaptable critical reflection component of critical consciousness is necessary and most often left out of youth development practices.

ACTIVITY: Let’s Talk Identity <

DEBRIEF: CIRCLE, SQUARE, TRIANGLE:

Circle: What is still circling in your head after the activity? Square: Anything that squares with your thinking or beliefs-identify? Triangle: What are three important points that you are taking away from the dialogue?

RESOURCES Research: •  Critical Consciousness: Current Status and Future Directions by

Roderick J. Watts, Matthew A. Diemer, Adam M. Voight •  From Assets to Agents of Change: Social Justice, Organizing and Youth

Development by Shawn Ginwright, Taj James

Trainings: •  Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility •  Race Forward •  S.O.U.L Training •  Liberation Based Healing Conference •  Border Crossers

Resources Continued Tools/Books ●  Brotherhood/Sister SOL Curriculum ●  Identity Mapping ●  Human Barometer Activity ●  Flower of Power ●  A Girl Like Me ●  Emergent Strategy by Adrienne Maree Brown ●  Teaching Tolerance

Thank you! Any questions or lingering thoughts?

Artist: Brandan Odums, Studio B New Orleans

STAY CONNECTED!

Amarilis Pullen, Program Officer Perrin Family Foundation apullen@perrinfamilyfoundation.org www.perrinfamilyfoundation.org

Morgan Little, Director of Programs Sadie Nash Leadership Project Morgan@sadienash.org www.sadienash.org

“The learning process is something you can incite, literally incite, like a riot.”~Audre Lorde