Project Mentor: Dr. Bill Whitney, Creative Inquiry
Project Description:
What do foster youth (and those recently aged out of the foster system) need to help them develop agency, connect with their communities, and lead purpose-driven lives?
This project aims to empower youth from the foster care system in the Oakland / East Bay area of California, by connecting them with community projects that foster personal growth and social responsibility through the use of restorative justice principles and restorative conflict mediation practices. This initiative will focus on developing training workshops and curricula for those who work directly with these youth, helping them conceive and create meaningful opportunities for foster youth to participate in local activities. These activities will enable them to build new skills, develop community relationships, and increase their agency and confidence. By facilitating partnerships with local organizations and volunteers, the project seeks to enhance the life experiences of these young individuals, ensuring they are receiving appropriate training, education, and support to succeed personally and professionally. Through a series of training modules, mentorship programs, and collaborative community events rooted in community-based action research, the Fostering New Futures project will work to provide a platform for foster youth to express their voices and ideas and develop them into real, tangible projects. This project will leverage existing knowledge about restorative practices and create new knowledge around foster care systems, emphasizing the importance of community involvement as a pathway to resilience and empowerment and helping participants transition successfully into adulthood.