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Our Programs
About Our Programs
The Healing Oasis for Peace and Empowerment® (H.O.P.E.) Circle functions as a youth-led participatory research intervention, grounded in a transformative framework that integrates principles of critical youth allyship. Through weekly meetings H.O.P.E. fosters mutual respect, co-learning, and shared agency between adults and youth. By prioritizing youth voices as key catalysts for change, H.O.P.E. underscores the vital role of genuine partnerships in breaking down systemic barriers.
The H.O.P.E.'s Youth-Led Participatory Action Research (YPAR) approach engages youth to identify societal concerns and become advocates for their solutions; thus topics and curriculum are not predetermined. Instead every cohort is dynamic and consequently topics are created and curated for the cohort’s interests. Integrating YPAR into an out-of-school, third space not only elevates youth voices but provides avenues for their life experiences to be valued and shaped into policy. In addition to the Circles, there are two key programs for H.O.P.E., these include
the Annual Day of H.O.P.E. and H.O.P.E. Huddle.
Annual Day of H.O.P.E.
In partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida, the H.O.P.E. Circle youth participants co-create and host a year-end, culminating social-action event. With at least two dozen education and social service community vendors, H.O.P.E. Circle participants present their research projects as well as reveal any research product or relevant policy they crafted based on the areas of focus for the academic school year. Over 300 children and families will be served during the annual event.
H.O.P.E. Huddles
H.O.P.E. Huddles function as extended learning sessions in a designated middle or high school space (e.g. classroom). Sessions are held weekly, during the lunch period, with at least two adult facilitators and a group of 8-20 students. By leveraging evidence-based methodologies, including youth-led dialogue and reflective journaling, youth participants gain skills in emotional well-being, leadership, communication, and peer support.
