Opportunities Beyond the Narrative: An Intervention for Justice-Involved Youth

There are 12 lessons in Project With, typically delivered in six weekly sessions, with each session having two one-hour long lessons and a meal with facilitators in between the two lessons. Each lesson includes a discussion of selected literary works, including poetry, short stories, and excerpts from films and other videos. The curriculum is intended to be delivered to groups of 8-12 youth. In ideal program delivery, participants also share a meal with each other and with the Youth Advocate. Shared mealtimes create group cohesion and allow Youth Advocates to connect with participants on a personal level, building trust. At the end of the Project With curriculum, youth will partake in an offsite day excursion to Camp Eaton, a wooded camp outside of Los Angeles. At Camp Eaton, Youth Advocates will lead a Project With session, lunch, bonding activities and games, and an opportunity to engage in an outdoor activity.