The Youth On Purpose Team Blogspot

YOP Testimonial: Lani Evers-Staples

2008-10-31T14:46:00.006-07:00

I wanted to be in the Youth on Purpose program because I was hurting from the recent breakup of a relationship with a boy I really loved. In the end I didn’t understand what happened and it was awkward to be around him and our mutual friends. I am so grateful that both my ex-boyfriend and I attended the camp. We had the chance to use the clearing process to release the myriad of troubled thoughts and feelings and come back together as friends. I am so happy that we can be together and feel comfortable again. Now I’m able to love again, without the fear of rejection holding me back. I liked learning the clearing as a quick way to resolve problems that occur in relationship. Now I have a tool to stop the terrible thoughts and remember the truth.

My little brother was also at the YOP camp. My relationship with him is much better since we both learned the clearing and could take responsibility for our own thoughts and feelings. He is not so aggressive to me now.

Another highlight for me at YOP was the high ropes challenge course 20 feet in the air between the trees. I’m proud that I was able to face my fear of falling and hurting myself and move forward anyway. Afterwards, I felt so strong and brave, like I could do anything.

The drama part of the program was awesome. Michael Bean is the bomb. I enjoyed expressing myself in different ways in the improv. It was wildly funny.

I also enjoyed the blobbing on the lake at Camp Lutherwood and I made a lot of friends at the YOP camp.

I’d recommend this program to everyone who is having trouble in their life.

Lani - age 17

YOP Testimonial: Ben Evers-Staples

2008-10-31T14:45:00.002-07:00

Before the Youth on Purpose camp, I would get very angry, especially at my sister. Sometimes I would get so mad, I’d hurt her.

In the Youth on Purpose camp, I learned how to communicate properly without getting violent. Through the clearing process, I was able to let go of my upsets, by changing the way I felt. I’m amazed how quickly I was able to feel better. I learned how to get what I want easily. I feel great after the program. I thought the drama program and the high ropes challenge course were fun. I’m proud that I was the only one who conquered every challenge 20 feet in the air between the trees. I discovered that I am a leader and fearless in speaking my truth. I also loved the food. Emery was a wonderful cook. The camp was the best part of my summer. Thank you Sandy for letting me participate!

Ben--age 13

Youth on Purpose Testimonial: Miriam Evers

2008-10-31T14:06:00.006-07:00

I participated as an assistant in the first Canadian Youth on Purpose (YOP) program in B.C. in 2000 and then again in 2001, and I saw the life-changing impact on teens. My dream was that someday my own kids would be in the program. This year that dream became even stronger as I saw my daughter Lani (now 17) devastated by the break-up with her boyfriend of 15 months, and my son Ben (13) acting increasingly aggressive towards his older sister.

In mid-July, I was inspired to join forces with Sandy Levey-Lunden, the founder of YOP, once again. And indeed, this year the dream became a reality!

Thank you so much Sandy for holding our vision for the Youth on Purpose program in 2008. I know that there were many challenges in creating this program and many doubted it could happen. It did happen and I’m absolutely thrilled with the results!

My children Lani and Ben learned the clearing communication process easily and have begun using it in their lives to let go of their upsets. I’m overjoyed at seeing them take responsibility for their own thoughts and feelings and know that they can bring themselves back to peace anytime they choose. These kids now have an excellent foundation for the life-long process of clearing limiting beliefs and communicating heart to heart. Both kids are feeling good about themselves and much more empowered to create what they want.

I was also delighted that Lani and Ben could take the high ropes challenge course, and the drama improv program which they both loved. The location at Camp Lutherwood on Lake Samish was fantastic for its natural beauty, the swimming and blobbing and other amenities. The gourmet food cooked by Emery Krahn and assistants was also superb. He spoiled us all.

All in all, YOP for me was a fantastic summer adventure!

PRESS RELEASE | "THE DIFFERENCE"

2008-08-07T21:28:00.024-07:00

FREE SHOWINGS

THE AWARD-WINNING DOCUMENTARY

‘THE DIFFERENCE’

AUGUST 10th - 12th

Follow the lives of 50 young people in Sweden as they take part in the revolutionary Youth on Purpose project, a unique program designed by Bellingham’s internationally renowned workshop leader and success coach Sandy Levey-Lunden. This program held two times in Sweden, and five in Canada, is designed to empower youth, heal self-destructive attitudes, and transform lives. This innovative process will be debuting for the first time on American soil in Bellingham, WA August 24th - September 1st at Camp Lutherwood, open to ages 14-24. Participants will be inspired to explore their inner landscapes, heal their family dynamics, experience their authentic selves, find their passions, and life’s purpose.

Many young people today are confused with their choices, themselves, and society, often burying their true feelings and appearing directionless, listless and bored. The Youth on Purpose program will work on releasing guilt, blame, resentment, anxiety, and limitations from the past. It teaches youth how to heal the separation, anger, upset, and disassociation with themselves and their loved ones. After nine days, youth emerge transformed, able to express themselves with a renewed sense of purpose and confidence.

Local Showings

The Difference

Sunday, August 10th at 11 AM

Pickford Cinema

1416 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA

-
The Difference

Sunday, August 10th at 7:30 pm

Hosted by Miriam at WindSong

20543 96th Avenue, Langley, BC, V1M 3W3

Discussion to follow.

The Difference

Monday, August 11th at 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM

Vashon Allied Arts / Blue Heron Gallery

19704 Vashon Hwy SW, Vashon, WA 98070

This showing includes a panel discussion.

The Difference

Tuesday, August 12th at 7:30 PM

Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth (BAAY)

1509 N. State Street, Bellingham, WA

The movie is 45 minutes long, and will be hosted by Sandy Levey-Lunden, the initiator of the Youth on Purpose project.

MAPS FOR TWO LOCATIONS: http://www.neighborhood-kids.com/Activities/General/1139.aspx

ADMISSION IS FREE and the public is cordially invited to attend any showing.

WELCOME! History of Youth On Purpose

2008-08-05T18:00:00.000-07:00

Youth On Purpose began in 1996 as the "Fri Sikt" Project, meaning "clear view" or "open view" in Swedish. Specifically, Sandy Levey-Lunden while teaching one of her sixteen classes in Sweden, had a person in the class raise their hand and say that they had read in the newspaper that a father was suing his son for his total investment in time, energy, and money because he would not get out of bed for two weeks. The son stated that his reason for this behavior was that he had no reason to live and no motivation for life, and had no where to go in the future. Sandy at that point felt like she could make a difference in this boy's life and any other youth's life that felt they had no purpose in living also.

In 1998 the poignant movie of this two year long project called "The Difference," won second place as the best documentary in Sweden and also went to the Cannes Film Festival that year. The movie can be viewed on the YouthOnPurpose.org website as well as YouTube. In Vancouver, Canada the project called Youth On Purpose continued for five years, operated successfully by the Youth On Purpose Society of Canada. For two years the project ran in Halifax, Nova Scotia simultaneously as Youth On Purpose Atlantic.

In November of last year, Sandy Levey-Lunden was teaching a class called the Power of Clearing: Certification Course to train coaches in her method. Some of the participants in this class wanted to bring the Youth On Purpose program to the United States for the first time, specifically to the western Washington regionm abd so Youth on Purpose, USA has been created as a new 501(3C) and is waiting final approval from the federal government. The organization has been approved from the state of Washington to be a 501(3C).

Who are the Youth, and where do they come from? Participants come from a wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds. Some are straight-A students with a desire to improve their relationship with their parents. Others may be considered at risk youth with a challenged family background and are troubled by difficult circumstances in their lives. We have a melting pot of youths at Youth On Purpose who all come to work together and experience a true family, joining in a bond of a higher purpose. Our project has shown the youths after participating in the youth project show a 82% success rate in the past.

Sincerely,

Sandy Levey-Lunden

How to apply?

2008-07-24T14:00:00.001-07:00

For more information, go to the official website: www.youthonpurpose.org
Download an application form - CLICK HERE

Program Update from Miriam

2008-07-21T23:45:00.004-07:00

Hello Friends,

As some of you may recall, several years ago (2000 and 2001), my husband, Howard and I were involved in organizing, promoting and assisting at “Youth on Purpose” (YOP) a Langley-based program for youth aged 14 to 22.

The purpose of the program was to empower youth to be fully alive, communicating clearly, taking responsibility for their lives, knowing their value and their unique gifts, having clarity about their future, rejoining with their families and more…

Last Friday, I met with the creator of YOP, Sandy Levey-Lunden, and we decided to move forward with the next “Youth on Purpose” to happen in 5 weeks. That we were able to get such an incredible location as Camp Lutherwood on such short notice was a miracle and a sign to us that it was meant to be.

Do you know any youths aged 14 to 22 who would benefit from learning some incredible communication skills, taking responsibility for their own thoughts and feelings, and learning to let go of their limiting beliefs? If so, please pass this information along.

YOUTH ON PURPOSE - 2008 Program Details

A 9-day course for youths 14-22 held at Camp Lutherwood in Bellingham, WA - Sunday August 24th at 4 p.m. through Monday September 1st 3:30 p.m.

Information about Youth on Purpose here: http://www.youthonpurpose.com/
Information about Camp Lutherwood here: http://www.camplutherwood.org/index.shtml and a video about the fun activities possible here: http://www.youtube.com/camplutherwood
Langley Times article about the last YOP project called “Justin Mallard’s excellent summer vacation”: www.youthonpurpose.org/article002.pdf

Format: Youths spend about half of the program time working on self-acceptance, communication skills, their relationship with themselves and others, and the other half of the program time creating with the drama/music directors. There is free time available for swimming, canoeing etc.

Final Presentation: The final presentation and Lunch for Parents and Guests will be:
Monday Sept. 1st, from 1-2 pm for Lunch, and 2-3:30 pm for the presentation.

Vision 2008
Youth on Purpose is a program that teaches our children free, fearless communication. It awakens their innate ability to align with their own power and to use it to connect with their families, peers, and communities.

Mission 2008
Our purpose is to facilitate and bring clarity to the process of ending separation. In so doing we remember our innocence and our Source while recognizing it in others. We live and demonstrate our commitment to this process, each other, youth, parents, peers and our community at large. The process consists of deep, full and clear communication extending and receiving Love, releasing blocks to self-expression, and the clearing of all limiting beliefs.

Values

We are all equal.

We celebrate learning and life.

We celebrate the wonder of each individual

Our Goals

Help youth find confidence in themselves
Provide life tools to help them accomplish their goals
Restore purpose, clarity and excitement to their lives
Rebuild trust in their future and in the future of the world
Release any conflict in their lives with any relationships and create peace, harmony, and wellness

9-Day summer camp
Nine days of residence in a natural setting with a high facilitator to youth ratio. The youth will experience intense courses led by experienced coaches, guided by the youth’s personal stories and goals. The participants will also experience on a daily basis

Exercises in leadership, trust, and teamwork.
Physical activities that include a wide variety of outdoor adventures like a 6 hour ropes-course, canoeing, camp fires, swimming (including “The Blob”), dancing, and yoga.
Creative projects in art, drama, and music.
Skill training in career development and personal marketing.

Year Long Follow-Up
Final program outline still being developed

* Weekly private and family sessions.
* Weekly support groups.
* 13 weekend follow-up courses including: “The Art of Joining a Family”, “The Art of Surrender”, and “True Woman’s/Men’s Power.”
* Unlimited phone support.
* One 5 day completion course.

This information brought you by Miriam

THE DIFFERENCE | Showing soon!

2008-06-09T16:00:00.000-07:00

A documentary about this dynamic program as it previously took place in Sweden will be showing on Friday June 20th at 7:30 pm at "Room2Think". Location: 114 E. Chestnut St. in Bellingham.

Program Update

2008-06-01T15:54:00.008-07:00

~ Thank you to Janice who has devoted countless hours to setting up YOP's non-profit society. She has also designed an e-bay store for fundraising. Please contact Sandy if you have something to donate to the online auctions. YOP's by-laws and other information are available at Sandy's office for Board members to review. YOP's future office will be located at "Bridges" Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center. Shellie is currently updating the YOP scrapbook/booklet. Once complete, it will go to Kinkos or Copy Source for printing. Kate has been working on 200 fundraising letters. Thank you Kate. Currently, Sunni is advocating to get approval from the mayor to show the "The Difference". The hope is that the Boys and Girls Club will endorse us, and that endorsement requires support from the mayor. To find out how you can help with these and other efforts, please email info@youthonpurpose.org ~

Conference Call May 26th at 7:00-8:30 pm PST

2008-05-24T11:34:00.005-07:00

Countdown to summer camp!

A meeting has been scheduled for Monday evening. Those who are not away on holidays, please join is. The conference call dial in number and access code are removed from the blog following each meeting. Newcomers always welcome.

Website for YOP USA

2008-04-19T12:14:00.005-07:00

A message from Janice. We need volunteers to link http://www.yopusa.org/ to their websites, blogs, newsletters, emails, and other internet/electronic media. The more hits we have, the more exposure the organization will get. This also informs the search engines that YOPUSA has exposure in places other than YOPUSA and pushes the url higher in lists on search pages. Thanks for your help.

An update from Sandy:

2008-04-01T10:18:00.006-07:00

As of Friday, Janice Eden has completed the Certificate of Incorporation for the State of Washington and she will continue to work towards completing our total non-profit status with the IRS, plus completing the budget for the next three years as part of this whole process. I am personally very excited because she expects to have all of this complete by the end of April. Janice will also be creating a temporary website called Youth On Purpose USA.

We now have a formal Board and we also have an advisory committee. If you would like to be part of the foundation or the summer camp, please let me know. We have many volunteer positions as well as paid positions to fill.

There are two dates and locations held for the summer camp - (1) July 11-20 at Sahale Retreat Center in Tahuya, WA, or (2) July 7-17 at The Firs in Bellingham, WA. We will have approx 60 youth participants in the 2008 summer camp. 10-15 of these youths will be international participants. We are now accepting applicants for the program. The application form will be posted on the website.

CONFERENCE CALL THURS MAR 20

2008-03-18T15:27:00.016-07:00

This international conference call is scheduled for 10:00 am PST / 7:00 pm CET so that friends from other times zones can participate and offer input.

AGENDA
1) Introductions
2) Designate someone to record the Minutes.
3) Input from friends in other time zones.
4) KEY QUESTIONS DISCUSSION - Choose questions to explore.
5) Review immediate activities and assignments, including establishing a timeline for 2-3 people to complete the budget.

The purpose of #4 is to generate valuable information into a format ready to extract from for proposals, presentations, media, interviews, etc.

KEY QUESTIONS: Adapted from a standard grant application.
1. Describe how the program contributes to healthier life choices.
2. How does the program contribute to a reduction of academic failure and drop-out?
3. How will the max. # of participants be served without sacrificing a quality experience (i.e. the camp, as well as the year long follow up program)?
4. Describe any partnerships you have, or hope to have, with public or private entities.
5. What opportunities does the program provide? Cover things that aren't already written in the one-page proposal or on flyers, or go into more detail. Why are these opportunities so important? Hint: Focus on what makes this program so different from others.
6. How does the program provide opportunities to directly experience and understand the natural world?
7. Decide in detail how you will incorporate on-going evaluation, assessment, and reporting.
8. Describe demographics of people participating in the program. If possible, use percentages.
9. Describe how the program specifically serves youth at-risk.
10. Discuss the program's educational goals (as they would be described for a grantor/funders, such as Boeing/BP/other. What are the objectives as they pertain to: (a) awareness, (b) knowledge, skills, abilities, (c) critical thinking, discernment, decision-making, (d) behavioral change, and (e) environmental stewardship.

Please review the list of organization names presented, listed in the right column.

Grant Guru Tips

2008-03-17T12:27:00.012-07:00

Collaboration - There are at least two kinds of collaboration in the preparation of a grant proposal. The first kind is (1) who internally in your organization will collaborate with you in preparing and caring out the proposal? (2) Involve outside entities to create strategic alliances and team up for greater grant success.

"Grantwriters typically find that collaboration is an essential ingredient in preparing a grant proposal. By collaborating, you are showing your potential funder that your solution has involved many different points of view. The collaborating individuals and agencies will help your [community] come together to provide [youth] with the best possible approach at solving the issues that are at the heart of your proposal." ~ Gary Carnow, Grant Guru.

Gathering your grant team is essential. Include all stakeholders (i.e. key organizers, a youth representative, a parent). Find a time when everyone can attend and give out copies of the RFP. Determine when the grant is due and plan backward from the deadline. Schedule enough time to write, review several drafts and to fill out any required forms. Look for signature pages and determine who must sign. Some proposals require support letters and other attachments. Allow enough time to copy, collate, and send the proposal. As a grant facilitator and as a group, (a) schedule the meeting dates, (b) describe the activities to be accomplished, and (c) assign responsibilities. Provide each team member with a copy of your task chart.(4)

For more Grant Guru tips, incl. tips for evaluation planning, please refer to: http://www.techlearning.com/blog/grantguru/

From Lorne

2008-03-17T10:03:00.012-07:00

~ Great work Krista!! I hugely admire the work you have done. . . your work ethic. . . and your process. I am happy you are choosing to continue your involvement with YOP even though it is in a different or reduced role. Love Lorne

Blog Continues

2008-03-17T08:55:00.005-07:00

The blog is an online bulletin board and work space for YOP and can be used for:

Meeting information - times, locations, and agendas.
Sharing updates.
Posting work for collaboration.
Sharing quotes, learning, and inspiration.
Expressing gratitude and/or acknowledging someone.
Conducting a poll/survey for feedback and information.
Posting feedback/suggestions.

and more. . .

It might be useful to post some of the work that requires collaboration so that you can easily re-visit it down the road through the archives. It's more organized than emails because the stream of input is all in one place in the order it was given. You don't need to keep track of a dozen emails and they can be re-visited through the archives.

Krista

Working Together | Brain Storms

2008-03-05T11:31:00.006-08:00

~ Adapted from the article "Partnering for High Impact" by Cassandra O'Neill from the CharityChannel LLC(2) highlighting the 'seven norms of collaboration'(3).

The tools we use every day in Youth On Purpose to help us learn and grow make us a learning community. We collaborate and organize this program as a community engaged in reflection in action. Here are seven skills/norms for consideration -

#1 Spirit of Inquiry: Promote a culture or community of learning. Explore what people mean rather than making assumptions.

#2 Pausing: A simple pause can allow time for reflection. Learning comes from reflecting, not only from doing.

#3 Paraphrasing: During the POCC training, we explore the use of dialogue and practice pacing back what a person has said. This is important to confirm that we heard what was said, and that what was said was actually meant.

#4 Probing: Ask for more details and clarification to increase understanding.

#5 Putting Ideas on the Table: One of the principals of successful brainstorming is that no criticism is allowed. Our creativity is unleashed when we focus exclusively on generating ideas.

#6 Paying Attention to Self and Others: Watch and listen to how people are responding and reacting, and adapt the conversation to positively impact the group.

#7 Presuming Positive Intentions: People can get caught up in perceiving negative intentions for a behavior they are noticing. When people make assumptions without checking, and then report negative intentions as fact, it can lead to misunderstandings which are not based in reality.

Brainstorming & the Creative Process

State clearly that you are brainstorming, i.e., "Please reserve criticism until . . ."

Putting ideas on the table allows for the best thinking of a group and incorporates many perspectives and experiences. Criticism can really inhibit creativity. Keeping this in mind can result in more creative decision making and higher impact. Nothing is evaluated, put down, or thrown out. You can even toss in a few humorous or ridiculous ideas to ease tension.

The rule for brainstorming is "anything goes". If you really can't accept an idea for some reason, remember norm #7. Simply suggest "That's one idea. What are some others?" When people appear stuck, encourage the group in a way that promotes a stretch in awareness or thinking. Be patient. Allowing for things to emerge is the key to meaningful conversations. Allow others to figure out what to do rather than tell them what you think they should do (1)(3).

Please refer to the bottom of the blog for links to further information.

2008 YOP Work | Plan

2008-02-27T20:32:00.002-08:00

If you would like to review the Work Plan to see where you might be able to offer support and feedback to the program, please email Krista or submit comments here.

Feb 27th Conference Call | Meeting

2008-02-27T20:24:00.007-08:00

The following people united in the 7:00 pm PST call, including Ria Bordian, Jackie Jacobson, Sandy Levey-Lunden, Lorne Rubinoff, Len Satov, Krista Voigt, and a new member, Dawna Jones, who is from Vancouver, B.C. Welcome Dawna!

Today we discussed our plans for youth outreach, set priorities for the next few months, and added activities to the 2008 WorkPlan.

Future Meetings - We've decided to schedule 2 mid-day calls (PST) over the next six months to receive input from Jack Barnard, and other international friends from the UK, Sweden, and Halifax. Our regular meetings are typically scheduled every two weeks. It's helpful to check the blog prior to each call-in for information/ materials needed, and please note that call-in details are removed from the blog after each meeting.

What's Next?

2008-02-21T21:38:00.011-08:00

You are welcome to join us on WED FEB 27th at 7:00 pm! The purpose of the next conference call will be to chart-out our course for the next few months with a priority focus on publicity and youth outreach. If you are interested in joining us, please e-mail for details. If you are calling from outside North America, we need your RSVP 24 hours in advance. youthonpurpose@gmail.com

Cast your vote!

2008-02-21T21:30:00.008-08:00

During the February 21st conference call, six team members dialed-in to the challenge of twisting and forming a set of values to work through and live by. We also bent the mission statement into shape, making it sound and feel clear. Please review these to the right here in the blog and participate in the poll for purpose. Vote on the language and the focus that feels right to you. Your feedback is always en-joy-ed and appreciated.

Feb 21 Conference Call 7-8:30 pm

2008-02-17T18:30:00.007-08:00

During the next conference call, we'll be tweaking YOP's MISSION and VISION. We will go over the ones from previous YOP programs (posted here), ask questions, and share ideas. We'll also jump into identifying or giving shape to a set of VALUES, a few groundrules for conducting business. Join this unconventional group of creative folks on February 21st - Listen in, participate, and feel free to be a little off-the-wall ! Newcomers of all ages welcome!

Feature Volunteer

2008-02-17T18:19:00.005-08:00

SHERRY RIESENBERG - You may know her from some of the workshops or from your last visit to Sandy's place. "Sherry is the person who often approaches people when they come through the door. She is the team meeter and greeter! She will put her hand on your arm or offer a cozy hug." It's no surprise that Sherry is an RN. You really get the feeling she cares about how you are doing, and when she isn't there, it kind of feels like something is missing! THANK YOU Sherry!