Why Destiny's Outreach Program? School and Community-Based Programs

What do our outreach programs do for its participants?
Findings from previous years of programming have shown that our outreach program has a critical impact on the youth involved. Youth, caregiver and school staff surveys report that large numbers of students begin to use peaceful alternatives and violence as a result of the program. Teachers also report that youth who were labeled as "negative leaders" are often able to become "positive leaders" and role model peaceful, respectful behavior to their classmates, and that participation in our outreach program helps students maintain more positive participation in the classroom.

Who is eligible to participate in the program?
Some youth are referred by teachers for issues of tardiness, fighting, and aggressive or withdrawn behavior or for being frequent targets of violence. We also encourage youth that are already “positive leaders” to be integrated into the program. Youth may also self-select based on their interest in dance and/or marital arts.

Who teaches?
Our outreach program is taught by experienced dance, theater or martial arts instructors who are also trained in Destiny's Five Fingers of Violence Prevention curriculum. All of our instructors have between 3 and 25 years of experience teaching movement to young people. Our martial arts instructors are all black belts. Our dance instructors are all professional performers with extensive training in various movement disciplines.

Why combine group building games and violence prevention skills training with dance, theater, or martial arts?
Group building games give the students an opportunity to build community through playful collaboration and to blow off steam after a long day at school, which then creates the openness and energy to work on skills building in dance, theater and martial arts and violence prevention material.

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

Dance and theater training give youth the opportunity to experience artistic and cultural expression, and develop a sense of mastery over material that is accessible and fun for them.

Martial arts give youth the opportunity to build confidence, self-control and discipline through meditation, forms and basic sparring techniques, while emphasizing respect for their sparring partners. 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.

For more information about our outreach program or Destiny Arts Center, please contact:

Salim Rollins
Outreach Programs Director
510.597.1619 xt. 107
salim@destinyarts.org

WHY DESTINY'S OUTREACH PROGRAM
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