Shanghai Social Innovation Salon- at-risk youth problem: Kick it (Group 6)

Social Challenge 2: How to engage at-risk youth to positively contribute to the society?

Why is this important?

At-risk youth are on the borderline of being trapped into a vicious cycle of crime and substance abuse.

Background

At risk youth generally are in the age range of 12-18 They often times have dropped out of school, have low levels of education, and come from broken families.

Status Quo

There are several government and non-profit programs targeted at this population, most of them being vocational programs. However, these programs are usually short-term, lack follow-up, and do not teach skills that interest the youth.

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Response from Group 6: Kick it

Goal	Cultivate at-risk youth's sense of responsibility through voluntary services
Solution	• Organize parties for at-risk youth to get acquainted • Organize team of at-risk youth to participate in voluntary work,      supervised by social workers/ mentors • Through voluntary work, improve at-risk youth's sense of responsibility • Match at-risk youth with little family support with families with better    support

Why is this important?

At-risk youth are on the borderline of being trapped into a vicious cycle of crime and substance abuse.

Background

At risk youth generally are in the age range of 12-18 They often times have dropped out of school, have low levels of education, and come from broken families.

Status Quo

There are several government and non-profit programs targeted at this population, most of them being vocational programs. However, these programs are usually short-term, lack follow-up, and do not teach skills that interest the youth.

*****************************************************************************************************************************

Response from Group 6: Kick it

Goal	Cultivate at-risk youth's sense of responsibility through voluntary services
Solution	• Organize parties for at-risk youth to get acquainted • Organize team of at-risk youth to participate in voluntary work,      supervised by social workers/ mentors • Through voluntary work, improve at-risk youth's sense of responsibility • Match at-risk youth with little family support with families with better    support