The Hunters Point Family is a youth development program. Youth Development focuses on the strengths and developmental needs of the young person as opposed to his/her deficits.
The Hunters Point Family’s Unique Approach to Youth Development
Although the imagination is infinite, the minds of most people do not surpass the boundaries of their environment and experiences. This dynamic creates a particularly difficult dilemma for young people growing up in impoverished and unsafe environments. Thus, the role of the youth development organization in these environments is to free the imagination of the child from the boundaries of his/her environment so that s/he can discover and utilize his/her talents, gifts, and abilities to increase not only the chances of survival, but s/he can achieve happiness and joy in this lifetime and leave this earth a better place.
The Hunters Point Family has developed a unique approach to youth development that empowers youth to discover their innate talents, gifts, and abilities so that they achieve their highest potential, while also mitigating and addressing the impact of the often chaotic and violent environment that many of our youth experience.
HPF programs are modeled like extended families, emphasizing mutual support and interdependence as a way to overcome obstacles and transcend trauma. When youth enter into an HPF facility, they feel safe, comfortable, and valued. The essence of all Hunters Point Family programs is the strength of the relationship bonds. HPF works to empower youth to discover their innate gifts and use their experiences to refine their character, so that they may experience the power of transcendence and transformation. Staff work with youth to set personal goals and develop a step-by-step plan to achieve them. Participants are encouraged to apply these skills to implement community projects, improve their grades, get along better with peers, maintain employment and achieve an overall sense of well-being. These accomplishments transform youth from passive individuals who complain about their circumstances, to active participants in the creation of their life outcomes.
Hunters Point Family’s programs are based on the strengths and assets of the Bayview Hunters Point community, and the character of the program is informed by the neighborhood culture. HPF works from an ecological model of human development, involving the child, family, school, and community organizations. Each program is an extended family of staff and youth. Youth and their families bring all of their potential and talents as citizens to bear on a program that they feel ownership of, and which they exercise real authority and influence on. When community members are involved in the development and government of programs, the entire community is energized. We see this as a way to begin addressing the systemic, contextual issues the youth of the Bayview Hunter’s Point face.
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