| <<back>>
PLUS (Peer Leaders Uniting Students) is a proactive program which empowers youth to lead, educate, influence and support their fellow peers. Utilizing the dynamics of a "team" philosophy, PLUS institutes a network of communication for schools to address:
- Racism - - - Harassment
- Bullying - - Gangs - - School Safety
- Diversity Awareness
- Youth Development/Resiliency
- Academic Achievement
History
As I walked through a high school campus during lunch one day, I saw students sitting with students separated by race, personality, creed and simple opinion. Students were unconsciously segregating themselves from each other. There were no interactions between these groups unless there was a problem. Proactive communication between these groups was missing and it was evident tension was escalating.
As I began to research approaches to developing positive group interactions, I started asking some questions that led me to the answer. Have you ever been part of a team? In a team individuals find connections, a sense of belonging, a purpose and support for one another. What if we as educators could create that team mentality in our schools and among our students? Would we see the misunderstandings between groups of kids? What would happen with Racism, Harassment, Bullying, Gangs, and Youth Violence, if we all felt like we were on the same team?
This is where the idea of the Peer Leaders Uniting Students Program was created. Why not create a “team” of students made up of these groups and implement youth development activities on a campus? Grab one or two students from each group and put them on the same “team” in an effort to develop understanding for who we are, rather than what we are. This PLUS team will be utilized to reach out and identify with all groups on a campus and implement activities that address some strong issues, such as Racism, Bullying, Hate and Violence.
It is a proactive program that seeks the knowledge and experience of youth to educate, guide and develop their fellow youth, utilizing a “team” philosophy and the influence of the peer group model in the approach.
The Unique Concept that Makes PLUS Powerful
The PLUS Program offers a variety of youth development opportunities which can be applied to countless learning situations. PLUS uses a group model to motivate youth. The program fosters an environment for learning life lessons, along with providing the link to applying what we learn to the social environment.
PLUS Program is a districtwide opportunity for students of all ages to engage in interactive social and emotional experiences. The program provides a youth development aspect which can be applied to many facets of life. Participants of PLUS represent an array of individuals from many different communities and backgrounds. The approach that the PLUS Program uses, benefits from the diversity of its participants and communication amongst them; this is what generates the multifaceted learning environment.
PLUS is based on the idea that Actions, Identity and Purpose are in constant cycle leading to the success of a person and/or entity. The PLUS Program provides learning experiences utilizing this complex formula of Actions + Identity + Purpose. PLUS will engage a group of individuals in an emotional action. This action will develop each individual’s sense of belonging to a group identity. The group will then engage in common interactions, which fosters a sense of purpose. In life, having a sense of purpose motivates carrying out actions, the actions then create an individual’s identity, thus resulting in one’s purpose.
What distinguishes PLUS from other youth development programs is that this approach was created within the school community with a true understanding of the power of the peer group model and the influence that peer group has on individual choices and behavior. It is a comprehensive safe school approach that alleviates targeted violence and gang involvement. PLUS is currently being used as means to address the gang violence in communities, prevent school shooters, and as the catalyst to discussions on racism, while fostering understanding, tolerance and open-mindedness.
When developing this model the question was asked, “What would happen with racism, hate, fear and violence, if we all felt a sense of belonging and identity to the same team?” When an individual feels a healthy sense of belonging in their environment, it positively effects their motivation, success, and happiness. This model that develops a sense of belonging and identity for an individual to a group is the same model that is already utilized by gangs and terrorist across the globe to initiate hate, fear and violence in communities. The difference with PLUS are the actions of the individuals connected to the group; these actions will be invested in a positive group identity known as PLUS, with positive actions as the outcome.
PLUS Program
PO Box 677
Murrieta, California 92564
Phone 951.304.0393
Fax 951.304.0694
Email: info@plusprogram.org
http://www.plusprogram.org |
