alterN8V

DESCRIPTION alterN8V is a cooperative organization of spiritual leaders, educators, social workers and performing artists committed to empowering young people in American Indian communities. We invite the participants to develop skills, passions, cultural connections and educational goals while opening their minds to the potential opportunities available to them. Our workshops, events and alternative activities impart methods, skills and competencies that young people need in order to develop positive identities based on our traditional virtues of resilience and leadership. Our message prepares young people to become active participants within every aspect of their community, thus inspiring them to have a direct hand in the overall health and well being of their world. We adhere to the rubrics of Service Learning and Positive Youth Development while remaining grounded in the cultural and spiritual values of our Native traditions.VISION alterN8V is dedicated to unlocking the potential of young people who are at-risk in underserved rural and urban tribal communities by providing motivation, inspiration, and direct service to American Indian youth.MISSION STATEMENT To promote service learning, cultural revitalization, leadership, resiliency, and positive risk-taking through alternative activities such as conferences, summits, workshops, and assemblies in urban and reservation tribal communities.OBJECTIVES Behavioral: Raise levels of awareness of opportunities available to all youth and motivate & inspire the total striving of dreams/goals. Community-level Outcomes: To have made a difference in the future of young people who will then be tribal leaders who will in turn empower their own people to replicate the positive process of healthy living. Process: The participants will implement the motivation, awareness, and tools learned in the event to serve their communities, set their standards high for healthy choices, and strive to reach their goals & dreams.STRATEGTIES: •Provide motivational speaking to youth in each event •Low-Ropes Initiatives & experiential learning activities •Hand-on, interactive workshops carefully designed to meet American Indian cultural needs (tailored to each community) •Address male/female issues by having one session divided and facilitated by the 2 female facilitators/2 male facilitators •Hip-Hop concert, b-boy (break dance) & freestyle artistic expression •Round Dance as a final session at the event