Educators : Project Destiny

Project DESTINY is an innovative after school violence prevention program, based on the philosophy and practice of traditional martial arts, the creativity and expression of dance and the practical skills of conflict resolution. The purpose of the program is to teach children the tools they need to inspire them towards positive and effective participation in their school and communities. Project DESTINY focuses on building self-discipline, self-expression, confidence and a sense of mastery. The long-term goal is to teach children to deal positively, creatively, and ultimately peacefully, with situations that are potentially violent, and to inspire them to become conflict managers in their schools and communities.

The program involves a rigorous regime of martial arts and dance training, in combination with fun theater games and role plays that help the youth practice specific conflict resolution techniques. The curriculum is centered on the Five Fingers of Violence Prevention and the Warrior’s Code, which students learn and practice in depth.

Utilizing a point system rewarding positive behavior, youth earn a uniform as they progress through the program. Each Project Destiny student, when they have been successfully completed the program, participates in a graduation and performance for their school and families. Students perform the Warriors Code, martial arts, dance, and performance pieces set to poetry. They also speak about what conflict resolution means to them. Ultimately Project Destiny youth impact the larger community by becoming confident role models and advocates for peaceful resolution of conflict.

WHO TEACHES Project DESTINY?
Project Destiny is taught by experienced, culturally-diverse Destiny adult instructors and youth leaders who reflect the communities they serve. The youth leaders are trained in the Destiny philosophy of nonviolence and how to teach young students in an engaged and respectful way. We believe that the element of youth-to-youth mentoring is essential to the richness of the program, especially because we are teaching students to act nonviolently, when they may be extremely skeptical about the importance or usefulness of nonviolent strategies in conflict situations.

WHY USE THE MEDIUMS OF DANCE, MARTIAL ARTS, THEATER AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION?
Hip-hop Dance and Theater Games give the students an opportunity to experience artistic and cultural expression, and develop a sense of mastery over material that is accessible and fun for them. It also gives them a chance to blow off steam after a long day at school and the openness and energy to tackle the more difficult violence prevention material. Theater role-plays are then used to practice real life situations where they could use their conflict resolution skills.

The Martial Arts give youth an opportunity to build the confidence and discipline to act nonviolently. Traditional martial arts incorporate the practice of meditation and self control into the physical skills building, and are an important part of giving the youth alternatives to violence. Studies show that the practice of martial arts with meditation and emphasis on the philosophy of nonviolence and respect, significantly reduces violent behavior, and increases self-esteem and self-confidence. Project DESTINY teaches Kung Fu at the basic level.

Violence Prevention training involves discussion and practice of specific, easy-to-follow steps that give the students tools to deal with potentially violent situations. The core curriculum used for this is the Five Fingers of Self Defense.

WHAT DOES Project DESTINY DO FOR ITS PARTICIPANTS?
Findings from previous years of programming have shown that we were able to make a critical impact on the youth involved in the program
Teachers report that attendance in the Project DESTINY program helped their students maintain their focus in the classroom and make an effort to pay attention and talk less. Teachers also notice that students seemed more able to get along with other students, and to understand and accept the consequences of their behavior. One of the participant’s parents, from the Santa Fe Elementary School program commented that his child would come right home from Project Destiny to do his homework so he had time later to practice what he had learned in class.