Our theory of youth empowerment is based on research and practice. We have been involved in youth empowerment programs as youth, coordinators and consultants. This experience has given us a 360-degree look at youth empowerment. Our theory involves the latest and most relevant research along with flushed out ideas from experience.
We begin with a look at the theory behind our youth empowerment model, and then the foundation of our model Kinetic Transformation. We conclude with real-life examples of both youth empowerment at it’s best and cases where the model has been used incorrectly.
Kinetic Transformation
Our theory is simple – Empowerment. Although embodied by one word, implementation consists of a complex balance of the following aspects, ones Allen Ortiz incorporates in all of our actions.
Empowerment through Knowledge
Knowledge of the manipulative tactics used by the tobacco industry to maintain their youth customer base, their involvement in politics, feelings towards customers and the chemical manipulation of their product, if framed correctly, can stir in youth and the general public, intense emotion. That emotion can then be harnessed and converted into action.
Allen Ortiz provides not only the information, but also delivery that is intense, credible, entertaining, and empowering.
Empowerment through Experience
Witnessing first-hand the application of any skill or the implementation of a plan assures youth have the confidence necessary to continue that application or implementation. Learning through hands-on action also leads to a deeper understanding of the principles and skills used in the implementation.
Allen Ortiz strives to always provide youth with a venue to take direct action against the industry.
Empowerment through Dialogue
Allen Ortiz thrives from encouraging critical consciousness. Our programs challenge youth to think critically about the world around them, consider the world around them not as predetermined but continuously developing and subject to their modification. Youth will be pushed to think outside the box, to question, analyze and evaluate actions – past, present and future.
Allen Ortiz will not state problems and pose solutions. Instead, we challenge youth, through a two-way dialogue, to identify the concerns in their reality and identify possible solutions, assisting them in formulating their ideas and facilitating their solution development.
Empowerment through Skills
A willingness to fight is useless if not coupled with the tools to do so. In this fight, youth must be armed with a plentitude of basic and advanced skills (found in project MELTdown, e.g.) in order to be successful. For youth advocates, these skills should be taken to a second level, while also mastering the ability to share their skills with others, their leadership and management skills, continued personal development and creative thinking.
Empowerment through Ownership
It is absolutely necessary that youth feel a true sense of ownership in everything they participate. Ownership brings with it excitement, energy, accountability, responsibility, and a true desire to succeed.
Allen Ortiz staff establishes relationships with youth based on mutual respect. Although Allen Ortiz staff are knowledgeable, skilled, experienced and can provide youth with an experience they can not provide themselves, youth have their own set of skills, experiences and a knowledge of the culture in which they live, which is essential to the fight. Allen Ortiz staff involves the youth in their programming in a way that assures the most efficient development is taking place.
Youth walk away owning their skills, owning their ideas, owning their programs and ready to fight.
Empowerment through Fun
Above all, anything that youth participate in should connect with them in a way that they truly enjoy their participation. Allen Ortiz frames issues that are relative to youth’s everyday lives, which are interesting and fascinating. Events, projects and trainings incorporate a variety of teaching styles and personality types while staff is always aware of the state of their audience and able to refine their agenda to meet the needs of the youth.
Neither of these is independent or separable from the whole. Fun and knowledge are necessary in maintaining youth through the skill building and experiences, while ownership is derived from dialogue. Together, however, they produce empowered youth.