Part-time Youth-to-Youth Programs

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Program objectives:

The Part-Time Y2Y and B2Y programs are Holistic and Meaningful for the unaccompanied minors aiming to address four areas of needs: Academic Learning through languages, arts, and computers classes; Skill Development through professional etiquette development activities and oral presentations; Wellness through athletics, sports, dance and drama classes; and Social Integration through Youth-to-Youth teaching, public events and celebrations as well as inclusion in social media. It is meaningful because of its need-based curriculum, differentiated learning outcomes and the choice of learning and skills relevant to the local and international labor market.

The design of the program focused on providing to the unaccompanied minors an environment where students felt that they are connected and belong, that they are important and are cared for, that their wants and needs count and are addressed, that they are empowered and have courage to grow academically and socially.

Innovating Teaching Methodology:

The teaching methodology combines the expertise of ACS Athens faculty, called program instructors, with the support of ACS Athens student volunteers, who take on the role of teaching assistants. Throughout the program, ACS faculties serve mostly as facilitators with ACS Athens students working one to one with Home Project students to deliver the designed activities. The inclusion of ACS Athens students of similar age to refugee students enhances academic and social learning. In addition, it provides opportunities for friendships between ACS Athens and the Home Project students, thus assisting the latter to adjust to the local culture, to develop trust and faith in people, helping them to aspire to go forward and design a life path. 

Inclusion and Collaboration of The HOME Project Organization and the professionals involved in the care of the unaccompanied minors is an important factor in the development of the program. In addition to their continuous presence every Saturday, there exists full alignment of the programs’ educational and social goals with the processes and practices as well with the socio-emotional support mechanisms in place in each of the homes run by the HOME Project.  The continuous communication between ACS Athens and HOME Project professionals regarding the wellbeing and growth of the students is vital in ensuring the success of the intended outcomes of the programs.

Curriculum:

The Part-Time Youth-to-Youth Program delivers a need-based curriculum designed, by ACS Athens faculty, around the academic skill level and goals of each individual student. The curriculum includes academic learning (English and Greek languages, art, computer), skill development (professional etiquette, oral presentation), wellness (athletics, sports, drama, dance), and social integration (student-to-student teaching, public events, celebrations, social media). The development of relevant skills for work as well as social learning goals of collaboration, discipline, focus, resiliency, trust, a renewed hope for relationships, and tolerance for diversity of perspectives are the essential learning aims of the curriculum and the teaching methodology.  

The Part-time Business-to-Youth program was designed for those students who have attended the Youth-to-Youth program for at least one cycle and are 16 years old or older. This program aims to prepare our unaccompanied refugee minors for the work force.  The curriculum is designed with a focus on enhancing language and professional skills as well as developing a professional etiquette based on input from local businesses.  Specifically, English and Greek language classes put emphasis on reading comprehension, writing and oral skills using business specifics tests, writing emails, mock job interviews, and writing their own curriculum vitae. The computers class focuses on teaching Excel, Word and Power Point Presentations.