AHA! provides in school, after school, and summer programs for teens on building empathy and social and emotional learning through a joyful curriculum.

CURRENTLY SERVING APPROXIMATELY 1500 youth in Santa Barbara County in 2012. AHA! has been shown to reduce violence and suspensions in schools by up to 75%. And increases EMPATHY in every classroom
WHEN-
AHA! provides services 52 weeks a year
WHO
AHA! is designed to serve all teen youth and their parents in order to create a community of adolescents who are committed to empathy, compassion, character, positive creative expression, and the celebration of diversity.

WHERE-
AHA! provides original curriculum:
IN SCHOOL - Santa Barbara High School, Santa Barbara Junior High, La Cuesta Continuation High Schools, San Marcos High School , and Carpinteria High School.
AFTER SCHOOL - After school groups are held 5 days a week in Santa Barbara and one day a week in Carpinteria.
SUMMER SESSION- There are two summer sessions in Santa Barbara in July and August providing over 120 hours of direct service
to teens from every part of our community.

HOW-
AHA! has a “secret sauce” which has proven remarkably successful for the last 13 years. The original curriculum is delivered in a highly trained mentor ratio of one adult for every six teens which means that individual teens are SEEN AND HEARD and learn about EMPATHY with each other and adults.

BEST PRACTICES INCLUDE:
-Community Listening Circles that build the essential skills of empathy and using one’s voice constructively
-Restorative Justice Councils that teach youth how to repair relationship harm in a meaningful and accountable way emphasizing EMPATHY.
-Brief Lecture Models on Social and Emotional Learning followed up with experiential exercises applying the didactic learning
-Over 150 community and team building games that emphasize how cooperative PLAY with “others” leads to a sense of belonging
and inclusive contribution
- Interactive Dialogues and small group practices engaging teens in ending bullying and discrimination
-Role play exercises of conflict management, peaceful strategies, and conflict resolution
-Art, Music, Writing, and Drama techniques which empower youth to: find outlets for difficult emotions, celebrate unique gifts and heritage, and learn to see CREATIVITY as a channel for building a positive sense of self and a connection to others.
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Problema

Bullying is intolerable. AHA! can change the culture by serving every teen in Santa Barbara and transferring our results to other communities.

Solução

In one high school alone our work has led to a massive shift in the school climate. A 75% reduction in violence and suspension and a highly positive attitude toward difference and diversity.

Exemplo

High mentorship ratio with a interactive and joyful model which engages the imagination and the heart.

Ofertas e demandas

We can all work together because this is a worldwide effort and needs everyone to create EMPATHY in the world.