Our Approach
We are dedicated to advancing a distinctive approach to youth development in order to develop in young people their unique potential and purpose, or SONG. It is our belief that each person has a distinctive SONG that is his or hers alone. It is our mission to try to help our youth navigate the waters that will allow them to sing that song to the best of their capabilities. Our approach to working with youth is built around the exploration and development of seven essential Life Skills, or INSTRUMENTS which when applied, allow youth to reach their full potential by “making good choices”, transforming their lives and in turn, the culture of their schools and communities.
The Seven Instruments are:
- Self Awareness
- Self Esteem
- Sense of Humor
- Empathy
- Integrity
- Responsibility
- Focus
COMMUNITY OF UNITY’s programs provide an understanding of each of the Seven Instruments – how to choose them and how to use them. Learning one’s instruments is the first step in a lifelong journey of personal discovery and development. We understand that the Instruments are tools, which support the development of the values, beliefs, ideas, and personality traits that will define one’s character. When youth use their Instruments, they become empowered to make healthy, positive choices that lead to their success and fulfillment.
We understand that such programs are invaluable to our public schools and in partnering together we are better able to provide our youth with moral and character development as well as social and emotional development. Such work takes effort, time, skill and trust. COMMUNITY OF UNITY bases its curriculum on the premise that by building successful peer-to-peer and peer-to-adult relationships over multiple years, youth are provided opportunities for belonging, space to build essential life-skills, and are able to grow their connection to family and community.