Kansas City Police Department statistics demonstrate a sharp increase in youths participating in violence. Over one-third of the predominant contributing factors to homicide was due to an argument. Youth Ambassadors hires youth, many of whom have a history of multiple trauma exposure and are at risk for violence, either as victims or perpetrators. Due to countless risk factors, Ambassadors require targeted supports to alleviate the effects of childhood trauma, increase their ability to respond to the pressures of the surrounding environment, and learn behaviors that decrease their risk of violence. 

The predictive value of violence risk factors changes depending on when risks occur in a youth’s development, in what context, and under what circumstances. Violence prevention and intervention efforts hinge on identifying an individual's risk and protective factors. Most risk factors appear to result from social learning—the learned behaviors that increase or decrease the risk of violence. The more risk factors a child is exposed to, the greater the likelihood that he/she will become violent. According to the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) survey, over one in four Ambassadors (summer session) reported having experienced high levels of childhood trauma and risk factor exposure.

Youth Ambassadors’ strength-based curriculum fosters resiliency by strengthening intrapersonal, interpersonal and cognitive competence—characteristics that interact with risk factors to reduce their influence on violent behavior. Through intentional instruction, students learn core Social Emotional Learning (SEL) competencies and protective factors. Content includes conflict resolution skills, self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision making, enhancing their capacity to effectively deal with daily tasks and challenges. Multiple socio-emotional, environmental, demographic and academic risk factors are cited as major reasons for violence and dropping out of school. Thus, one can conclude that the “burden of community violence on young African Americans includes disproportionate rates of physical and mental health consequences." (Woods-Jaeger, et al., 2019). Youth Ambassadors’ programming responds to these consequences through sustainable interventions that mitigate the negative effects after violence exposure. We use an evidenced-based approach embedding learned behaviors in a supportive setting to decrease their risk of violence.

Youth Ambassadors operates year-round, serving more than 250 youths, ages 14 – 18, annually. 92% of youths report indicators that they fall within the federal poverty guidelines. Ambassadors improve resiliency and develop their skills through participation in four classes core classes: 

• 21st Century Life/Job Skills
• Writing
• Art
• Health

Additional need-specific instruction is interwoven into the curriculum. 

Youth Ambassadors use group engagement intervention strategies and evidence-based resistance training—important tools in violence prevention. The program includes vital social support: real world life skills development; and cognitive intervention services with specific youth development features; physical and psychological safety; appropriate structure; supportive relationships; opportunities to belong; positive social norms; support for efficacy and mattering; opportunities for skill building; and integration of family, school and community. As a result, Ambassadors mitigate risks, build on personal resources, learn to identify additional strengths, increase skills and learn to access outside resources in their journey to a healthy adulthood.

COMBAT Funding: $37,500.00