Chicago Voyagers’ unique program model is focused on four areas - Mindfulness, Relationships, Growth Zone, and Experiential Learning.

Woven throughout our model is a commitment to restorative justice and trauma informed care. We are committed to rebuilding community and fostering relationships. To do this, we work to heal harm when it is caused and address root causes of trauma.

• Restorative justice is non-punitive approach which focuses on restoring harm done by one person on another or the group.

• Trauma Informed care is an approach, based on knowledge of the impact of trauma, aimed at ensuring environments and services that best welcome and accommodate the needs of our youth.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness is about focused attention, self-awareness, and kind intention. By introducing this practice into the lives of those we serve, we give young people a critical skill that can help them regulate their moods, reduce stress, manage emotions, and process difficult situations.

Relationships

Youth with mentors in their lives are 46% less likely to use drugs, 27% less likely to abuse alcohol, and 52% less likely to skip school according to a research project by the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.. Relationships with positive, caring adults are critical to the development and long-term health of any young person. We take this very seriously, cultivating meaningful relationships with the young people we serve and modeling what healthy relationships rooted in respect and compassion look like. Through this work, we help youth identify and develop healthy relationships in their own lives.

Growth Zone

Based on the work of psychologist Lev Vygostky, the concept of the Growth Zone is rooted in the belief that young people can learn with the right support from adults and peers. The Growth Zone concept takes what youth know and identifies what is currently beyond their understanding. This process reveals what can be learned with support (the green zone). At Chicago Voyagers we work with youth to identify that green zone and, once we do, we provide the right mix of challenge, motivation, and guidance to help them master that skill. Through daily assessments, we track where our young people are on the scale, where they may need more support, and where they are ready for a new challenge.

Experiential Learning

Novelty and new experiences are important to adolescent development, fostering critical skills like communication, teamwork, and self-control. By giving young people the opportunities to experience the outdoors and the skills needed to navigate challenges successfully, we help expand their understanding of what is possible.