Our impact
The problem
There is a huge lack of opportunities for young people to be occupied outside of sports in the north east. “Highly bored individuals tend to lack the ability to entertain themselves. As a result, they may turn to activities like doing drugs”, says McWelling Todman at the New School for Social Research in New York City. “Drug use takes place during downtime when the person would have otherwise been entertaining themselves.”
The BCBSA, (Blue Cross Blue Shield Association) found that the highest rates of depression, suicide, and drug abuse cases were being found in New England, with Rhode Island and Maine registering the highest rates in the area.
There are so many flaws in traditional youth development programs, but first let’s look at Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs in order to recognize how far off they really are.
Maslows Hierarchy of Needs
SELF ACTUALIZATION
Morality, creativity, spontaneity, problem solving, lack of prejudice and acceptance of fact.
Esteem
Self-esteem, confidence, achievement, respect of others and respect by others.
Love and Belonging
Friendship, family, and intimacy.
Safety
Security of: body, employment, resources, morality, the family, health and property.
PHYSIOLOGICAL
Air, water, nutrition, shelter, sleep quality, clothing, and health.
The traditional approach
Youth organizations typically focus on the top of the pyramid, flipping it upside down, working on a young person's self-actualization.
The vast majority of after school programs focus on a moral, creative, and problem solving growth within a young person. In many cases a young person's basic needs are not getting met prior to a program's attempt to help them 'develop'.
Lack of equity in sports
In many young people's lives sports play a huge role in meeting their love and belonging, esteem, and even other needs in their life. But this is a privilege that many do not have access to, or have the physical ability to join.
Our Approach
Revolution Youth ensures that at every level of our organization young people have their basic needs met, as our top priority. We recognize that if they aren't eating a healthy meal every day or aren't safe in their own home - these needs are much more important to take care of first.
Maslows Hierarchy of Needs
SELF ACTUALIZATION
Morality, creativity, spontaneity, problem solving, lack of prejudice and acceptance of fact.
Esteem
Self-esteem, confidence, achievement, respect of others and respect by others.
Love and Belonging
Friendship, family, and intimacy.
Safety
Security of: body, employment, resources, morality, the family, health and property.
PHYSIOLOGICAL
Air, water, nutrition, shelter, sleep quality, clothing, and health.
Love and Belonging
Young adults need to have an authentic sense of connection with other people. Family and friends, love and support, and the ability to be vulnerable with others who encourage them.
Revolution Youth provides programs with this approach, as well as fosters a community of encouragement that offers a sense of camaraderie and connection. By putting these needs above the needs of growth and self-actualization, we’ve seen influential and long-lasting results in young people’s lives.
We've found that this is frequently an unmet need amongst the demographic we serve. That's why our programs have community aspects built in to help build friendships and authentic connections between youth.
Self-Actualization and Esteem
Young people struggle with a lack of confidence, this is nothing new. They haven't lived a lot of life yet and they're still figuring things out. Our programs are like training wheels for the 'real world', where it tends to feel less forgiving.
Through competitions, collaborations and other important community involvement, youth experience growth in their esteem and begin to form confidence around their life experiences.
Revolution Youth is committed to meeting every need of every young adult in the North East, and we are partnering with other nonprofits to help make that vision possible.
SELF ACTUALIZATION
Esteem
SELF ACTUALIZATION
Love and Belonging
Esteem
Esteem
Our programs are designed to meet the essential needs that are not being met amongst young adults in the North East.
programs are integrated to provide better support and service
Eden Valley provides restorative environments and workshops for those seeking refuge and healing from their past, struggles and challenges.
Safety, Physiological, Love and Belonging
Everywhere is providing opportunities for young adults to experience other cultures, make life-long friendships and find purpose in serving others.
Love and Belonging, Esteem, Self Actualization
Evolve is providing opportunities for young creatives to develop their skill sets, collaborate with other artists and compete at a higher level.
Esteem, Self Actualization
Equality is providing NGOs and social impact initiatives world-class excellence in media and production in order for them to thrive in the modern world.
Self Actualization
When the need is outside the realm of one of our internal programs we connect the young adult to one of our partners who can assist with their unique situation.
Safety, Physiological