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A collaboration of restorative community service and cognitive skill development for youth
Empathy’s Mission:
The mission of the Empathy group is to provide youth with an opportunity to build empathy and community awareness in a positive way while taking responsibility for their behaviors and looking at their effect on our community. This group is designed to help youth develop competencies that will enable them to be more successful com-munity members.
What to Expect:
Over a three week span, youth will complete 3 skills groups and 2 community service projects. The skills groups will be held at the Clackamas County Juvenile Department. The community service projects will be held out in the community. At the last session, youth will participate in a completion celebration, allowing them to reflect on their time spent in the Empathy group.
Youth will receive 12 hours of community service upon completion of this group.
Cognitive Skills Strengthened:
- Integrity
- Responsibility
- Planning and Decision-Making
- Interpersonal Competence
- Personal Power
- Self-Esteem
- Sense of Purpose
- Positive View of Personal Future
- Community Values Youth
- Service to Others
The Empathy Group: Overview
Based on Restorative Justice Principles, the Empathy group encourages youth to:
- Take responsibility for their choices,
- Look at preventing future harmful or illegal behavior,
- Understand harm done to others,
- Acknowledge their victim(s),
- Make a commitment to their community to repair harm they have caused.
Youth are also exposed to community partners which enables youth to see themselves as valuable members of the community while showing community members that they are capable of making positive contributions.
Examples of Community Service Projects:
- Habitat for Humanity
- Food Banks
- Trail Restoration
- Feed The Hungry
- Fill a Stocking
- Community Centers
Format:
Day 1: Skills Group
Youth will meet one another and set community expectations for their group. Youth will be introduced to the definition of “empathy” and explore how their actions have an impact on others. They will hear a story about a youth who caused harm and brainstorm together about how that youth might make things right. Youth will also hear details, logistics, and expectations for the first community service project that weekend. Time Commitment: 2 Hours
Day 2: Community Service Project
Youth will participate in a predetermined community service project, allowing them an opportunity to build connections with community members, see the positive impact of their service, and acquire new work-related skills. Time Commitment: Up to 6 Hours
Day 3: Skills Group
Youth will come back together in group to be recognized for their strengths in the first service project and reflect on the impact this service had on their community. Youth will hear a story from a victim’s perspective and learn about the different ways people can be harmed. Youth will also create a “ripple effect” for their own offense in order to recognize those who were impacted by their actions. Time Commitment: 2 Hours
Day 4: Community Service Project
Youth will complete a second community service project and continue to build connections and work-related skills in their community. Time Commitment: Up to 6 Hours
Day 5: Skills Group
In this final skills group, youth will enjoy a celebratory treat as they reflect on their experience. They will acknowledge what they have learned and explore goals for their future. Time Commitment: 2 Hours
Risk factors increase the likelihood that a youth will participate in risky or illegal behavior, while protective factors work as a powerful force to support change. Using this research, the Empathy group works to address the following risk and protective factors:
- Increases empathy for others
- Strengthens their expectations for their future
- Promotes youth having an adult in their life (other than a parent or guardian) that they can talk to
Activities and discussion regarding constructive extra-curricular, pro-social activities
Contact
For more information, contact Jillian Kellington
Clackamas County Juvenile Department
Phone: 503-650-3109
Email: jkellington@clackamas.us
