When we strip down to the bone what we are doing, it’s pretty simple: We are “guiding” youth to complete a difficult project from start to finish and to do it in such a way that they receive recognition from the community which surrounds them. More than that, we are not sugarcoating or simplifying the process by eliminating the boring aspects or higher-thinking processes – it is important for them to grind through these challenges. Some call this “grit” or “persistence” – we think of it in much simpler terms: if you work hard enough and don’t give up, there are real tangible and intangible joys and benefits on the other side of that “wall”. And once they experience this feeling, then no longer is it a “just trust me” plea to motivate them – it’s a visceral experience personal to them. Finally, we’re giving the youth an opportunity to lead and demonstrate their leadership, their creativity and their solutions, without oppressive adult “we-know-better” attitudes.

This is not our formula, it’s our mission!