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WHO ARE WE? We are a team of experienced urban educators who offer a strategy like none other to confront the crisis of teen-age dropouts and disconnected youth in America. We are building transformative organizing into a practical way to teach young men and women to believe in themselves and form strong bonds of trust...
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WHAT DO WE DO? The Center for Transformational Education develops innovative, small group experiences that cultivate self-reliance and mutual trust. These are at the core of a program of transformative organizing that teaches isolated youth how to unite in strong teams to support one another and reconnect themselves to...
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WHAT IMPACT DO WE HAVE? Transformative organizing gives disconnected youth the power to unite in teams to bring about change and reclaim their future. The unity that is forged fosters continuing, personal growth and becomes a source of organized strength to confront the issues and institutions that trouble them and...
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WHAT INFORMS OUR WORK? Our innovative program is built on a wide body of knowledge, theory and practice. We have learned much from current research, the practices of communities around the world, the wisdom of elders and the insights and stories of young people. We invite you to read more in our resource library,...
Our mission is to turn teenage dropouts and disconnected youth into educated, active citizens. We focus on young men and women (16 to 18 years old). Our approach uses carefully-designed, real-world challenges to build self-determination and trust. The process starts with an intense, 10-week summer program designed to be a turning point in young lives. During the next three years, participants learn to work together as teams to master relevant academic knowledge, gain experience in business and find their voice as active citizens. As self-reliance and mutual trust grow, they take charge of their lives in school, on the job, in their family and in the community. This is guided by a trained organizer and aided by teachers, businesspersons and others. It's called "transformative organizing."
A Solution to a Crisis
We have a crisis of teen-age dropouts in America. Millions of young men and women have disengaged from their schools. They have also disconnected from their families and communities. They have done so because they have lost hope in their future and faith in the people they should have been able to count on. Many have learned to cope by withholding their trust except, possibly, for fair-weather friendships with peers who are as marginalized as they are. Without a source of positive, mutual support, such youth face a bleak future and a life of limited promise. Alone in their life struggles, they usually fail.
We offer a way out of this crisis. We recognize that success — even, survival — in tough situations is greatly enhanced when individuals effectively coordinate their actions as a group. Our approach trust-bonds young people to one another, changes how they view life, and mobilizes them to form strong teams to take action in their own interest. As active participants in a network of mutual support, young men and women learn to feel utilized and necessary for important and, often, noble ends. Their lives become clear, certain and purposeful. Such transformed, organized youth do not wait passively for help from others but take the initiative to confront their problems in solidarity with peers that they have come to trust.
Recent Blog Posts
March 13, 2012 |
WHY TALKING CIRCLES MATTER
After training a group of educators on using Restorative Justice Talking Circles to establish connections with...
February 26, 2012 |
DISENGAGEMENT: WHEN BLACK ELK’S CIRCLE IS BROKEN
One of the keystones of transformative organizing is healing the hurt that causes young people to disengage. The...