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Our Mission
The New Orleans YPAR Collaborative is an initiative dedicated to empowering youth in the New Orleans community through the transformative power of youth participatory action research. Streetlight aims to provide a platform for young individuals to explore their voices, engage in critical inquiry, and drive positive change in their lives and communities. By fostering an environment of creativity, learning, and social participation, the New Orleans YPAR Collaborative will serve as a catalyst for youth-led action and advocacy.
Our Philosophy & Values
The New Orleans YPAR Collaborative's philosophy is rooted in a commitment to centering youth and recognizing their unique potential to drive change. This philosophy is guided by several key principles:
Youth Come First
At the heart of The New Orleans YPAR Collaborative's approach is the belief that "youth come first." This principle ensures that the well-being, voice, and agency of youth are prioritized, even when they may diverge from traditional research objectives. Youth are not only valued as participants but are also compensated for their expertise, reflecting a genuine respect for their contributions.
Centering Joy, Creative Exploration, and Storytelling
The New Orleans YPAR Collaborative celebrates the joy of creative exploration and storytelling, recognizing these as powerful means for youth to express themselves, connect with others, and navigate their world.
Pursuing Unique Youth Perspectives
Rather than replicating traditional research, rhe New Orleans YPAR Collaborative seeks out projects where youth voice is missing and needed. It celebrates the unique insights and research results that only youth can offer, valuing their lived experiences and perspectives.
Decolonizing Notions of "Rigor"
The New Orleans YPAR Collaborative challenges and seeks to decolonize conventional notions of "rigor" in research. It embraces methodologies that honor diverse ways of knowing, understanding, and expressing, recognizing that there are many valid paths to knowledge.
Anti-Racist, Intersectional Praxis
The New Orleans YPAR Collaborative is committed to an anti-racist, intersectional praxis that specifically addresses and names the role of white supremacy and anti-blackness in New Orleans' problems. This approach recognizes the complex interplay of race, gender, class, and other social factors, and actively works to dismantle oppressive systems.
Our Areas of Expertise
Socio-Political Development
Socio-Political Development
Streetlight emphasizes socio-political development, focusing on programming that empowers youth to understand and engage with the social and political dimensions of their lives. Through critical thinking, dialogue, and activism, youth are encouraged to become active participants in shaping their communities and futures.
Arts-Based Research
Arts-Based Research
At Streetlight, arts-based research methods are celebrated as uniquely well-suited to working with youth. By integrating creative expression with inquiry, these methods provide youth with accessible and engaging ways to explore complex ideas, share their stories, and contribute to knowledge creation.
Developmental Appropriateness
Developmental Appropriateness
Streetlight prioritizes developmental appropriateness, operating more like a summer camp than a lecture hall. The emphasis is on creating an environment where youth can have fun, grow, and explore at their own pace. Activities are designed to be engaging, relevant, and supportive of each youth's unique developmental journey.
Participatory Data Analysis
Participatory Data Analysis
Participatory data analysis is a cornerstone of Streetlight's approach, involving youth in all stages of the research process. By employing youth-friendly data analysis processes, youth become co-researchers, actively interpreting findings and contributing valuable insights that reflect their lived experiences.
Long-term Commitments
Long-term Commitments
Streetlight is dedicated to forging long-term commitments with youth, recognizing that meaningful change and development occur over time. Through sustained engagement, mentorship, and support, the center builds lasting relationships that extend beyond individual projects, nurturing growth, trust, and a continued sense of community and belonging.
Youth Leadership & Peer Learning
Youth Leadership & Peer Learning
Streetlight champions a peer learning model, where graduates of the program take on mentorship roles to guide and lead new cohorts of youth. This empowering approach fosters a supportive community where youth learn from their peers, develop leadership skills, and create a cycle of growth that continues beyond their individual participation.
Founding Organizations
The New Orleans YPAR Collaborative is a joint venture between the following New Orleans organizations that are invested in the future of youth voice in New Orleans, including:
The Center for Youth Equity and Violence Prevention Institute
The Coalition for Compassionate Schools
This collaboration represents a unique convergence of missions, methodologies, and visions, all aimed at fostering social change, youth empowerment, and community engagement.
Partners & Affiliates
The New Orleans YPAR Collaborative is proud to partner frequently with the following youth-led and community-engaged organizations:
Trinity City Comics
Eyes on Surveillance
The organizations listed here embody our collaborative's commitment to disrupting adultism, centering youth voices, and cultivating youth leadership.
Board of Directors
Youth Team
Youth Team
Junior Civic Safety Council - Center for Youth Equity
(names here)
Researchers of Creative Change - Coalition for Compassionate Schools
(names Here)
Revolutionary Researchers - CYPB
(names here)
The Twisted Garden StoryWeavers - Center for Youth Equity
(names here)
Adult Team
Adult Team
Jesse Channin - Founding Member
Micaiah Lugo - Founding Member
Rae Stevenson - Founding Member
*? Stacy Overstreet
*? Samantha Francois
*? Allison Swift
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