Good Shepherd Youth Outreach
Faith Based Mentoring Strategies for Effective Youth
Outreach Development
Goals & Objectives:
• Gain tools to effectively advocate for disadvantaged
minority youth and families in the community
• Learn cost effective strategies to build a successful youth
intervention model
• Identify the primary faith-based youth outreach mishaps
that lead to unsuccessful programs
• Cultivate strategies to develop collaborative partnerships
and expand the capacity of your youth outreach program
• Understand the importance of cultural competence,
community engagement, and racial equity in youth
outreach program development
• Identify the primary risk factors associated with
disadvantaged youth
• Develop effective tools and techniques to successfully
engage with disadvantaged youth in urban communities
The breeding ground for all disadvantaged
youth begins with an excluded group, who feel
victimized by poverty, or the establishment,
or some other type of injustice, whether real
or imagined.
It is fed by an anti-establishment culture of
drugs, crime, hate and racial separatism.
‘Consequential Faith’ Means…
 A creed to believe AND the ability to articulate
their beliefs about a God who is both personal
and powerful,
 A community to belong to including relationships
with adults who speak with them about issues of
life and faith,
 A “call” to live out, with their lives oriented by a
divine vocation to serve others rather than the
pursuit of self-satisfaction, and
 A hope to hold onto, seeing their lives as part of a
“larger story that is going somewhere and is
guided by God
Kendra Casey Dean “Almost Christian’
Key Findings…
 Most U.S. teenagers have a positive view of
religion but don’t give it much thought
 Most teenagers mirror their parents religious faith
 Teenagers lack a theological language with which
to express their faith or interpret their experience
of the world
 Many teenagers enact and espouse a religious
outlook that is distinct from tradition of most
world religions an outlook called Moralistic
Therapeutic Deism
From the Words of A Youth…
“I guess I’m a Christian, but I’m one of those
still trying to figure everything out. I believe
there’s a higher power, but that’s about all I
know for sure” (17 year old African-American
Protestant girl)
“Being a Christian means, um, don’t do many
sins, read the bible, go to church, living Godly,
that’s about it. It’s basically not committing sin,
basically.” (16 year old African American
conservative protestant girl)
From the Words of A Youth…
“My beliefs are so wishy-washy, like I’ll think
something one minute, something else the next.
I don’t know what is most important, cause I
don’t really live by the bible.” (18 year old
catholic girl)
“If you do the right thing and don’t do
anything bad, I mean nothing really bad, you
know you’ll go to heaven. If you don’t then
you’re screwed (laughs) that’s about it.” (15
year old white conservative boy)
A Prophetic Warning…
 Despite strong levels of spiritual activity
during the teen years, most twenty-somethings
disengage from active participation in the
Christian faith during their young adult years
and often beyond that.
 Twenty-somethings 61% of today's young
adults had been churched at one point during
their teen years but they are now spiritually
disengaged (i.e. not actively attending church,
reading the bible, or praying).”
What’s Working?
How are we helping young people:
 Grow and be successful in all aspects of life?
 Deepen their faith and ability to talk about it?
 Establish relationships with healthy adult
believers?
 Discern their gifts and call to engage in service
to others?
 Be assured of their hope and worth in God, both
now and for eternity?
People in Systems…
Risk Factor Categories
COMMUNITY
SCHOOL
At-Risk Youth Defined:
FAMILY
Youth which are exposed to more
than one risk factor which
increase their vulnerability to
juvenile delinquent behaviors
PEERS
Risk Factor Categories Defined
COMMUNITY
PEERS
FAMILY
•
Access to
Drugs/Guns
•
Physical
Abuse
•
High Crime
•
•
Low Income
Lack of
Support
•
Lack of
Community
Programs
•
Structure
•
Dysfunctional
behaviors
SCHOOL
•
Lack of
Acceptance
•
Academic
Challenges
•
Negative
rebellious
influence
•
Lack of
Commitment
•
Lack of
Motivation
•
Learning
Disabilities
•
Competition
•
Peer
Pressure
The Fruits They Bear
Violence &
Conflict
Behavior Problems
Alcohol
Low SelfEsteem
Poor academic
performance
Gang Affiliated
Sexually Active
Drugs
Cultural Competencies
Cultural Self
Awareness
Cultural
Competence
Continuity
CULTURAL
COMPETENCIES
Attitude
Towards Cultural
Difference
CrossCultural
Skills
Knowledge of
Diverse Cultural
Practices
Point To Remember

Connecting with disadvantaged youth begins with cultural competence

Cultural competence skills enhances your ability to connect-engageinteract with disadvantaged youth from diverse backgrounds
Developing Cultural Competencies
Listen
Open
Relate
Select
material,
activities,
examples
that
students
can identify
with

Remove
prejudice/
stereotype
attitudes
opinions that
cause
cultural
barriers and
prevent
connection
Let them speak,
listen to them /get
to know them,
show you care.
Listening is a
critical tool in
building any
relationship
Adjust
Learn
Adjust
strategies
to meet
the needs
of your
youth
Invest time
to learn
about the
culture of
students in
your group
Point To Remember
Culture is a way of doing things for a specific group of people. Culture
includes: art/music/literature/food/dress/rituals/language.
The Individual
 Hate
 Fear
 Anger
 Miserable
 Hopeless
Hurt
Sad
Alone
Worthless
Depressed
Perceptions
Perception is your personal view point of how you identify
situations and circumstances based on specific influences and
prior experiences.
HOW DO I
VIEW MYSELF?
=
HOW DO I
VIEW OTHERS?
Our Front Pack
Heart
3 R’s
Resentment
Resistance
Revenge
Become Barriers
Negative Reaction
Put Up A Wall
Want to Get Even
Our Belief System
Bias
Negative
Programmed
Prideful
No Love
No Hope
Process
Structure
How Perceptions Causes Barriers
Something Deeper
How We Get Stuck ‘In The
Box’
Collusion ‘The Invitation’
Final Thoughts
The Conclusion
No Control
Restrains
No Power
Outcome
No Fulfillment
Weak
Person
No Way Out
Trapped
No Results
Satisfied
Causes of Behavior Challenges
EXTERNAL FACTORS
INTERNAL FACTORS
Family
Structure
Learning
Disabilities
Emotional
Health
Support
System
Mental
Health
Environment
Economic
Status
Point To Remember
Behavior challenges are a combination of internal & external factors. Keep this in mind
when selecting a remediation strategy to address behavior challenges.
Biology Impact of Trauma
Persistent trauma can cause the brain
to be underdeveloped or damaged.
A damaged or undeveloped brain often
causes a child to react differently to a
stressful situation than a child without
those constrictions.
Therefore, a child who is more reflexive than reflective may
have a biological reason for behaving the way they did which is
beyond their control. This is an essential understanding for all
individuals in order to modify their approach to the behavior.
The Art of Learning and Teaching
Views of Trauma
When we see a
youth with
traumatic affect, we
are seeing the tip of
an iceberg that
extends into family
and community.
The Art of Learning and Teaching
Asking for Help
Trusting Others
The Barriers
Changing Perceptions
Forgiveness of the Past
Expressing Emotions
Parent
Anger
Parent
Youth Wounds
Relationship
Parent
(Love)
(Support)
Youth
Where can we make a difference
through our programs?
Betterment to Development
Assets Youth Bring to The Community








Time
Ideas & C reativity
C onnection to Place
D reams & D esires
Peer G roup Relationships
Family Relationships
C redibility as Teachers
Enthusiasm & Energy
Potential Partners For Youth
Associations
Individuals
Local
Youth
Public
Institutions
Businesses
Basic Assumptions
C ommunity Youth D evelopment
 Asset-Based C ommunity D evelopment
▪ gives us a positive view of every community
 Positive Youth D evelopment
▪ gives us a positive view of youth
 C ommunity Youth D evelopment
▪ gives us a positive view of what youth can do to
shape the communities they live in
The Ultimate End of Community
Youth Development
To engage youth in creating
a healthy environment in which
where all of community
members can thrive.
How Do We See Our Communities?

Empty places filled with empty people
 the needs-based image

The return of hope
 the assets-based image

The key difference
 a focus on what is there, not what is not
Asset Mapping

D iscovering C ommunity C apacity
 Individuals
▪ people with gifts and capacities
 Associations
▪ people working together for good
 Institutions
▪ rich storehouses of accessible resources
 O utside help
▪ investment in capacity-building, not service
expansion
Neighborhood Map
Neighborhood Asset Map
Reading The Story of Community








Space
Structures
Scraps of Life
Signage
Symbols
Sounds & smells
Signs of hope
Social interactions
A Theology of Youth Discipleship
Affirming God’s intentions for youth,
families, communities & ministry


Affirming the nature & importance of
disciple-making, and our commitment to
it

Building leadership on a foundation of
authentic followership
A Theology of Youth Discipleship
Youth D iscipleship is a transformational
process whereby youth become more like
God..
Youth are equipped to do works of service

The
process involves instruction, modeling,
participation, and application
Helping Youth Become R.E.A.L.

Responsible
 Accountability is the key underlying value
 Ethical
 Doing what’s right even when no one is
watching
 Authentic
 Being your true ‘best self’ at all times
 Loving
 C aring for others unconditionally
A Developmental Pathway
An Asset-Building ‘Scorecard’

Is asset-building for our youth an explicit component of our
mission, vision & values?

D o our programs and activities actively promote asset- building
for our youth?

Are our volunteer mobilization strategies inclusive, strengthsbased & youth-friendly?

D o we actively involve youth as partners in governance &
leadership at all levels?

D o we collaborate with other community-serving organizations
in our neighborhood?
Key Principles

Youth Transformation requires…
 H olistic approaches versus narrowly-focused
programs
 C ommunity ownership versus external
Intervention
 Mutual transformation versus experts in charge
Key Principles

Youth Transformation requires…
 Long-term sustainability versus quick fixes
creates _ Leverage
 Empowered young people versus youth as
bystanders
 Asset-based view of community versus needsbased
Transform
Community
Transform
People
Youth Development
Youth & Community
H.O.P.E.
Transform Infrastructure
Reconciliation & Rehabilitation
Good Shepherd Youth Outreach
OUR ORGANIZATION
Educate
Empower
Equip
ABOUT GOOD SHEPHERD YOUTH OUTREACH
Our History
Founded in 2008 by Louis Guiden, Jr.,
Good Shepherd Youth Outreach (GSYO)
is a non-profit organization that employs
prevention/intervention strategies to
develop services/programs which
educate and rehabilitate primarily
minority at-risk youth in Western
Washington communities.
Our Mission
We exist to educate, empower and equip
promising, at-risk minority youth to transform
their lives.
Our Purpose
GSYO's purpose is to bring life changing
opportunities to promising, at-risk-youth
across the country by providing an
inspirational message of hope, building
strong partnerships, supporting families
and offering effective mentoring programs.
“Greatness can be achieved when
someone is given the resources
and an opportunity to excel…”
Louis Guiden, Jr.

www.goodshepherdyouthoutreach.com
Phone: 206.257.2252
ABOUT GOOD SHEPHERD YOUTH OUTREACH
Our Vision for
Success
GSYO's vision is that our work will result in
the positive advancement of minority youth,
families, and community.
Our Families
Families that are stable, connected and
supporting each other.
Our Youth
Youth who are healthy, holistic, engaged,
economically productive and make positive
contributions in the community.
Our Community
Communities that are safe,
healthy and prosperous
with a diverse workforce.
www.goodshepherdyouthoutreach.com

Phone: 206.257.2252
ABOUT GOOD SHEPHERD YOUTH OUTREACH
Current Partners


King County Superior Court

REACH Tacoma Goodwill Center

Federal Way Schools/Tacoma Public Schools
Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration
Our Group Mentoring Model
Relationship Building
Recovery & Rehabilitation
Mutual Trust
Personal Accountability
Transparency
Replacement Behaviors
Cultural Awareness
Transition & Advancement
Self Value
Goal Setting
Coaching & Guidance
Decision Making
Problem Solving
Sustainment & Continuity
Resource Provision
Skill Building

www.goodshepherdyouthoutreach.com
Phone: 206.257.2252
ABOUT GOOD SHEPHERD YOUTH OUTREACH
The H.O.P.E. Program Overview
The H.O.P.E. Program provides services
and activities that focus on preventing
criminal behavior and reinforcing pro-social
behaviors.
H.O.P.E. starts with education and
empowerment, and builds on those
foundations by providing youth with life skills
and other necessary competencies all geared
toward moving youth into becoming
successful adults.
The H.O.P.E. Program is completed
over a 12 month period, with services that
en-compass education, resource referral,
family involvement, and community
service.
During the year, mentors meet with each
youth 2-3 times a week, more often if there
is a crisis. Each group being mentored
consists of between 8-12 youth, who meet
both as a group and individually though-
out the course of the program. The
H.O.P.E. group mentoring program
emphasizes the importance of education,
and provides guidance so that youth can
get their high school diploma or GED, and
advance to a 2 or 4 year college or trade
or vocational school.

www.goodshepherdyouthoutreach.com
Phone: 206.257.2252
THE H.O.P.E. PROGRAM
Specific Program Targets For Youth
Participants
Help youth learn to manage anger and conflict.
Boost their self-esteem.
Address mental health issues (i.e.,
depression).
Move youth out of situations likely to involve
them in delinquency, gangs, and substance
abuse.
Target Audience
Pregnant Teens or Teens with
children
Minority youth between the ages of 1420
Foster Care Youth
Youth in transition (preparing for high school
or preparing for college)
Juvenile Delinquent Youth
Youth experiencing challenges from
broken homes
www.goodshepherdyouthoutreach.com
Youth with educational achievement
challenges
Gang Affiliated Youth

Phone: 206.257.2252
THE H.O.P.E. PROGRAM
Program Approach: Meeting the Needs of Our Youth
GSYO understands the importance of leveraging and
combing multiple approaches to maintain the genuine interests
and active engagement of youth participants. The H.O.P.E.
group mentoring program uses a combination of career
advancement teaching, entrepreneurship skill building,
experimental learning, and recreation activities to educate and
empower youth. Collectively, all sessions and activities are
designed to blend core life skills, literacy, and other
educational components they will encounter in their regular
school work and life decisions.
Career Advancement & Entrepreneurship
Job Readiness & Opportunity Recognition
Business Ownership
Financial Literacy
Leadership Development
Academic Importance
www.goodshepherdyouthoutreach.com
Experimental Learning & Recreational Activities
Team Building & Fair Competition
Build Trust & Confidence
Positive Exposure to Diverse Environments
Healthy Relationship Building
Effective Life Skills

Phone: 206.257.2252
THE H.O.P.E. PROGRAM
Expected Program Outcomes
During the course of the 12-month group mentoring
program, youth will have engaged in a variety of pro-social
events, team building sessions, self esteem workshops,
leadership development classes, relationship building
activities, career advancement and job readiness training. As
a result of participating in some or all of these sessions, it is
expected they will have gained the following seven core
competencies:
Core Competencies of a
Successful Program Exit
Positive, pro-social behaviors
that replace negative,
addictive behaviors
The ability to build
trusting, healthy
relationships
The capacity to become a
law-abiding, productive
adult
An aversion to returning to
gang life
www.goodshepherdyouthoutreach.com
A sense of their own selfworth and empowerment
An ability to identify and
reach specific goals and the
capacity to access the
resources necessary to
achieve those goals
A sense of commitment
and purpose for
themselves
Phone: 206.257.2252

THE
THEH.O.P.E.
H.O.P.E.PROGRAM
PROGRAM
Challenges Working with Juvenile or Gang Population
The challenges are formidable, and
require a measured, thoughtful, and
individualized strategy. GSYO’s
extensive work with this population has
demonstrated the following five areas to
be some of the most frequently
encountered barriers experienced by the
youth in our program:
Frequent Encountered Barriers

Distrust
Few of the youth in this program have
had any reason to trust anyone,
certainly not adults, and definitely not
adults associated with the
System.


Low Self-Esteem
Most of the youth in the group
mentoring program have a very
low sense of their own selfworth, having been taught they
have no value.
Mental Health Issues
Many of the youth mentored by H.O.P.E. have
suffered severe trauma and even PTSD as a
result of their exposure to violence, abuse,
stress, and death.
www.goodshepherdyouthoutreach.com


Addictions
Many of the youth in the
program have drug and/or
alcohol addictions that must be
addressed before the youth can
move forward.
Criminal Background
Many youth are deeply discouraged by the fact that they
have a criminal record, and feel they have foregone any
possibility of being gainfully employed as a result.

Phone: 206.257.2252
The Successful Plan
Identification
Services
Anger Management
Problem Solving
Life Skills
Faith & Hope
Job Skill Training
Educational Assistance
Job Finder Assistance
Home Life Assessment
Home Visits
Individualized Plans
PreAssessment
Intake
Outcomes
Gang Activity Expulsion
Employability Skills
Job Placement
Pro-Social Skills
Decreased Violence
Increased Attendance
Increased Grades
Decreased Office
Referrals
Intervention
Results
Unity in Community
Stronger Families
Model of Success
Public Recognition
Safer Communities
Family Reconciliation
Economic Productivity
Restoration
Youth Engagement Continuum
INTERVENTION
DEVELOPMENT
Youth Services
Approach
Youth
Development
COLLECTIVEEMPOWERMENT
Youth
Leadership
Community
Enga gement
SYSTEMIC CHANGE
Youth
Organizing
From Bondage to Freedom

What does it mean to be truly FREE?

How are our youth in BONDAGE?

We can not ignore the spiritual bondage of
our youth
From Bondage to Freedom

We MUST NOT ignore Social and Physical
Bondage of UrbanYouth

Being FREE to be FULLY Human

God showed us what it meant to be FULLY
Divine and FULLY Human

This is our vocation in God
Question?
If you were hungry, angry, lonely, tired, afraid, poor,
failing or unhealthy, could you become disadvantaged?