From Hopelessness to Hope

Abstract

This article reviews the social justice youth development (SJYD) model conceptualized to facilitate and enhance urban youth awareness of their personal potential, community responsibility, and broader humanity. The SJYD requires the healing of youth identities by involving them in social justice activities that counter oppressive conditions preventing healthy self-identification. Data from a school-based organization in Tucson called the Social Justice Education Project (SJEP) describe the objectives and outcomes of the curricula employed by the SJEP. While urban youth engage in social justice activities and become committed agents of change, positive educational and development experiences will emerge.