Youth Programs

 

Our programs for youth focus on prevention, intervention and self-efficacy. These presentations/workshops are conducted by previously-incarcerated adults who are willing to share their experiences and offer insight to effect change. Their heartfelt stories help youth open up about their own lives and ask for help. We offer these workshops for a variety of different groups including schools, community centers, youth groups, churches, detention centers and juvenile prisons. The programs consist of either a 3-4 hour workshop or a more intensive four-part curriculum. We also offer presentations tailored for school assemblies and large groups.

 

Community Outreach

 

These presentations offer audiences the opportunity to hear directly from people who have been involved in our criminal justice system. This dialogue may include — but is not limited to — their personal stories and the stories they are hearing from youth involved in The IF Project, the realities of our penal system, reentry solutions and how to reduce and prevent choices and actions that lead to incarceration. We offer these trainings and presentations to organizations, community centers, school administration and teachers, law enforcement, parents and other people and programs that work with youth. We also conduct presentations and trainings at universities and conferences.

 
This is a one-day workshop which uses expressive writing and creative truth-telling to introduce participants to the IF Project’s primary question, “If there was something someone could have said or done to change the path that led you here, what wo…

This is a one-day workshop which uses expressive writing and creative truth-telling to introduce participants to the IF Project’s primary question, “If there was something someone could have said or done to change the path that led you here, what would it have been?” This initial question invites participants to begin the process of exploring their life experiences with trust and curiosity. Simple meditation and movement practices are also introduced in this workshop.

This is a 10-week program that focuses on participants developing a personalized reentry plan for their transition back to the community. This curriculum was created in partnership with WCCW Staff and a Curriculum Advisory Committee composed of inca…

This is a 10-week program that focuses on participants developing a personalized reentry plan for their transition back to the community. This curriculum was created in partnership with WCCW Staff and a Curriculum Advisory Committee composed of incarcerated women at WCCW. The program is facilitated by The IF Project staff, and has a strong focus on creating community, trust, and authentic conversation around the needs of women in the reentry process. Topics covered include housing; transportation; access to services/resources; healthy relationships; family reunification; stigma; personal responsibility; financial literacy; employment readiness; access to education/union membership; and technology.

The IF Project Reentry Mentoring Program trains volunteer mentors to support incarcerated women (mentees) as they prepare for life after release. Mentees and mentors meet over the course of one year prior to release and discuss the mentees personali…

The IF Project Reentry Mentoring Program trains volunteer mentors to support incarcerated women (mentees) as they prepare for life after release. Mentees and mentors meet over the course of one year prior to release and discuss the mentees personalized plan for reentry and transition. This plan includes education; employment; housing; basic needs; counseling; and more. During monthly meetings and weekly communication after release the mentor assists the mentee with a variety of topics ranging from gaining and maintaining employment to establishing long-term housing.

This is a monthly series which picks up where The IF Writers Workshop left off by using expressive writing to help participants explore their lives through themes such as love and forgiveness, rage and shame, grief and loss, art and beauty, and cour…

This is a monthly series which picks up where The IF Writers Workshop left off by using expressive writing to help participants explore their lives through themes such as love and forgiveness, rage and shame, grief and loss, art and beauty, and courage and fear. Using creative expression as a therapeutic measure, they are able to process the complexity of their life experiences and see themselves again with deeper acceptance and understanding.

This is a 10-week program that focuses on life-planning for physical, emotional, and mental health needs. The goal-setting curriculum was created in partnership with The Village, the leadership group of incarcerated women at WCCW. The program is fac…

This is a 10-week program that focuses on life-planning for physical, emotional, and mental health needs. The goal-setting curriculum was created in partnership with The Village, the leadership group of incarcerated women at WCCW. The program is facilitated by The IF Project staff as well as guest facilitators volunteering to provide access to their professional skills and advice. The objectives of the program are to improve self-esteem and self-worth; increase the ability and self-confidence to ask for help; and to provide participants with the tools they need to thrive both while incarcerated and when they are released into the community. Topics covered include communication tools for developing healthy relationships, self-esteem and personal empowerment, general and gynecological self-screening, as well as chemical dependency, emotional and mental health support.