Rites of Passage Program
Our Objectives
- Our Objectives
- Become independent and resourceful
- Strive for one’s highest personal potential
- Develop leadership skills and a sense of community responsibility
- Demonstrate knowledge of our curriculum issues and the world
- Build self-esteem, confidence, and self-respect
- Explore beyond their comfort zone and challenge themselves
- Embrace the ideals of brotherhood and sisterhood
- Discover one’s individual/creative voice
ROP is Split Into Three Components
Stage One:
Brotherhood/Sisterhood Building
Chapter Leaders facilitate weekly two-hour Chapter sessions. They create a safe space where members learn about and discuss topics related to our ten focus areas and other themes relevant to Black and Latino youth. Each Chapter selects a name, develops a Mission Statement, and collectively defines what it means to be a sister/brother, woman/man, and leader.
These statements become core values each member strives to achieve, and they help members recognize the power of their Chapter to provide unconditional love, guidance and support for them. Members have 24/7 access to their Chapter Leaders, which is essential to building long-term, meaningful bonds.
Stage Two:
Critical Thinking/Knowledge of Self/Global Awareness
The ultimate goal of this stage is to help youth develop the ability to analyze complex issues and make informed, sensitive decisions. These skills are essential for our members to fully understand themselves and the world they have inherited. Guest speakers, literature, and multi-media presentations during sessions help youth sharpen their creative problem-solving skills and increase their self-awareness.
Chapter Leaders take youth on cultural outings, conferences, wilderness retreats and college tours in order to broaden their experiences and world-view. A key component of our youth’s creative expression is their writing. In 2003, we published Voices of The Brotherhood/Sister Sol, a collection of our youth members’ poetry, writings, Mission Statements, Definitions, and Oaths of Dedication. This collection affirms their creative visions and further validates their struggles, while inspiring other youth who are uniquely engaged by the writing of their peers.
Stage Three:
Rites of Passage
The final phase begins with an intensive process of self-reflection, community and global analysis, and culminates in the creation of an Oath of Dedication. This is a personal statement describing individual beliefs, goals, and the commitments s/he will strive to live by throughout life. Upon completing the Oath process, the youth take on greater leadership roles within their chapter. They facilitate sessions and provide support and guidance to younger members. Members also show leadership and commitment to strengthening their chapters by recruiting new members.
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Bro/Sis Teenage Pregnancy Rate
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