Quotes
“I changed a lot, I learned a lot about myself… and yeah it’s just a lot different about me… people could see it when I came back.. I was more civilized I would say today... The way how I handle stuff… I used to fight… I was like a tomb boy… gave instructors a hard time…but I learned a lot.” (Female graduate in 2006)
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Life Coaching & Family Integration |
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 Through the increasingly ‘softer approach’ based on a stronger focus on the life skills development of our students, we integrated Life Coaching and the Family Integration Program as new elements in our youth development program.
To gather information about the students’ background and their needs, individual assessments are conducted during the Orientation Phase by our life coaches/social workers. These assessments present the basis for an intervention plan throughout the three months and the five years of the Academy’s follow-up of the students.
Through these interventions, the following general problem areas were identified: different forms of substance abuse, poor relationships with parents, especially between fathers and sons, dysfunctional families through e.g. absent parents, abuse of various forms and low self-esteem.
In this context, the Family Integration Program was furthermore introduced in August 2006 with the intention of involving parents as critical role players in the development of their children and in promoting strong healthy families that are responsible, responsive and caring.
 Parent workshops as part of this program are arranged parallel to the three months training of the students. The aim is to encourage positive parenting styles, restore relationships within the home by sharing experiences and reopening communication channels, motivate parents to take ownership of the well-being of their sons and daughters and to undergo the development process with them.
Based on the needs assessments process, family group conferences can be also offered to the students and parents. The purpose of this intervention is to assist them in restoring and strengthening the relationships between the family members in conflict. This further prepares the students for their reintegration into their homes and communities.
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Life Coaching
