20/20 Vision for Schools » trainings

On Student Led Student Leadership at Reload 1.2.3

Jeremy — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 21:23:25 +0000

Those familiar with 20/20 Vision for Schools’ Transformation Matrix know that empowering student leaders as change agents within schools is a pillar of our paradigm for transforming public education within a single generation of students. In summary, it goes something like this:

Stop viewing students as consumers of education, buying a product from teachers
Instead empower them as owners of their lives, investing in their education as a means to a life worth living
As owners, nurture a culture of leadership among the student body of public schools
Develop a 10% pipeline of student leaders within any given school because when 10% of a community changes its values, the rest of the population generally follows

Because of this foundational commitment to student leadership development, it was 20/20’s privilege to sponsor Reload 1.2.3 on June 12, the first ever multi-site multi-state student ministry conference. (1 conference. 2 States. 3 sites.) Specifically, 20/20 Vision contributed three core components to Reload 1.2.3’s one-of-a-kind program.

First, 20/20 inspired and shaped Reload’s Plus-1 program strategy, requiring every adult involved in the program at all three venues, from musicians and singers to trainers and general session speakers, to integrate a “Plus-1″ protege into their content delivery. With live music and workshops at all three venues, this strategy created a platform for more than 50 Plus-1 student leaders to provide meaningful leadership at a premiere training event for more than 500 youth workers. More importantly, Plus-1s demonstrated what empowered student leaders look like, rather than adults simply talking about student leadership as a value, and created a common reference point for more than 500 leaders who can influence a shift towards more authentic student leadership in organizations throughout greater New York.

Second, 20/20 shaped the “Student-Led Student Ministry: Pipe Dream or Possible?” workshop which featured four accomplished student leaders as experts on what student-led change looks like and how to achieve it. The workshop description follows, along with a slideshow that captured visually the impacts of their student leadership.

It’s trendy for youth ministers to say, “Youth ministry is not about ministering to youth, but about empowering youth to minister,” but what does youth-led youth ministry actually look like? Experience youth ministry by young people as NYC students discuss recent student-led ministry models including God Belongs in My City, Kickin’ It Old Skool, Generation Xcel, and World Vision’s Youth Empowerment Project.

(Student Led Student Ministry: Possible from Jeremy Del Rio on Vimeo.)

Finally, Reload 1.2.3 provided a platform for the 20/20 Vision Workshop to be taught live at three venues simultaneously, thanks to our instructors Edwin Pacheco (associate pastor Gateway City Church and director Youth Rock), Walter Sotelo (director New York Gospel Outreach), and Rohin Beach (youth pastor St. Luke’s Baptist Church of Paterson). Here’s that workshop description:

Adults promise children that if they stay in school they will be equipped to succeed in life, but we have failed to make good on that promise for generations — with high school graduation rates in some cities hovering at or below 30%. Come explore how urban youth ministries are transforming public education within a single generation of students by activating congregations, adopting schools, and becoming answers to prayer.

Download video of the Vision Workshop, along with its PowerPoint and lecture notes, here.

Thanks Urban Youth Workers Institute for being an incredible partner and affirming that empowered student leaders are key to reaching their generation.

20/20 Mentors Matter

Jeremy — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 16:01:21 +0000

A year ago this month, Mayor Bloomberg appealed to concerned New Yorkers to volunteer as middle school mentors. Be an answer to his prayer. Mobilize and equip congregational volunteers to respond to his plea.

In partnership with the Christian Association of Youth Mentoring, 20/20 Vision for Schools offers a two day mentoring training June 25-26. Learn best practices for recruiting, screening, matching, and supervising safe and effective mentoring programs. Scholarships up to 80% are available. Go here for more info or to register.

Goliaths Fall When Students Lead

Jeremy — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 21:39:19 +0000

Goliaths fall when adults like Saul get out of David’s way.

The Biblical character David was an untested teenager, a shepherd boy with no military training, when he simultaneously proved to be the only man among soldiers courageous enough to confront the giant Goliath.

For 40 days, Goliath’s taunts paralyzed Israel’s army with fear. Then David overheard the mockery, witnessed the cowardice of the adults around him, and was moved to action. The rest, as they say, is history.

On Saturday, 12 student leaders rejected the contradiction that “student leadership” events could only be led by adults, and hosted 68 student leaders for the first student led student leadership conference in my memory of 21 years of youth ministry and youth development here in New York.

I was blown away by their poise, dedication, and — yes — leadership, despite inexperience and a lack of proven models for what such an event could look like. I was also impressed by the dozen adults who voluntarily stepped back to follow their lead, and provided the support necessary to allow them to shine, especially the visionaries at Latino Pastoral Action Center whose generosity and innovation made the day possible.

I’ll be posting more about Kickin’ It Old Skool throughout the week. Stay tuned. Meantime, check out some Twitter highlights from the event (including Twitpics and more) here.

Kickin’ It Tweets

Jeremy — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 20:00:09 +0000

For the first time, a 20/20 event was covered real time via Twitter. Some of the highlights.

Via @jlopez219

// “Death was mine to face but You took my place in Love…” -Beyond Barriers twitpic.com/hiz7t

// Now on Stage at “Kickin it old Skool” in NYC… Beyond Barriers! twitpic.com/hivhq

// “Mercy & Grace” from Sunset Park Bklyn are leadin us in some tight worship! twitpic.com/hispn

// Just acted a fool on stage tryna do some old skool break dancin… I ain’t never break danced in my life! Haha ☺

// Chillin at da “Kickin’ It Old Skool” Concert (16st n Irving St. NYC) If u in the city come thru! twitpic.com/hieji

// Sound ✔ for the “Kickin’ It Old Skool” Concert 2nite at 7pm (16th n Irving St. NYC) If u in the city come thru! twitpic.com/hhoq4

// On my way 2 the “Kick’n It Ol’ School” Youth Conference in NYC… @beyondbarriers in Concert 2nite at 7pm

via @jeremydelrio

// No, its not obnoxious for me 2brag abt my lil bro. Jon kicked it old skool for real w his msg. Bro makes u laff as his words pierce deeply.

// Props to LPAC, UKYM, XCEL, No Limits, Gr8r Heights, CitiVision for trusting uth 2lead. Well placed trust. 2020schools.net/kickin-it

// twitpic.com/hitef – Nu skool leadership at Kickin’ It Old Skool. Leadership requires courage &these studnts hve it

// Nu skool leadership at Kickin’ It Old Skool. These kids shine like stars (Phil 2). twitpic.com/hi5ab

// Sound ✔ for the “Kickin’ It Old Skool” Concert 2nite at 7pm at on 16st n Irving NYC. Come thru! twitpic.com/hhoq4. Via @jlopez219

// Final prep for the 1st student led studnt leadrship conf in my 21 yrs of uth work. History is hard work. 2020schools.net/kick…

// Goliaths fall when adults like Saul get out of Davids way. 9/12: NYCs only student led studnt leadrship conf 2020schools.net/kickin-it

via @GabrielM23

// Here@the Kickin It Old Skool Concert which is the ending of a great day of empowering this generation to make a difference in their world!

Via @dsanabria

// hey all you amazing ppl out there come out to washington irving h.s. on 14st for a free concert at 7 PM!!! (via @CrossoverYM)

// @ the Kickin’ it old Skool student led conference! yfrog.com/0o2btvj

// It Kicks off at 10 am Be there!! 2020schools.net/kick… Registration is free!! Tell Everyone you know!! See you there!

// 9/12/01 a 26 y/o lawyer was changed THERE tinyurl.com/jrd911. 9/12/09 students will be changed HERE 2020schools.net/kick…

// 1day til NYCs only studnt led studnt leadrship conf. Goliaths fall wen adults like Saul get out of David’s way. 2020schools.net/kickin-it

// Check out the only student led student leadership conference in New York City. su.pr/1EtCnf (via Youth Specialties @YS_Scoop)

Via @pleaseexchange

// golly, whataday. still got some hw, s’all good though. Great things are 2 come with Kickin’ It Old School! thanks @jeremydelrio

// LogosRHEMA is lethal. Still at Kickin it Old School.

// @ a panel on youth leadership. Kickin it old school, watchout (in George lopez voice)

// Kickin it ol school= awesome. Loving this small group. <3

// Is @ kickin it old school! Making moves for student leadership!

// Big day tomorrow. Kickin’ It Old School @ Washington Irving High School! If you’re a student that wants to see REAL CHANGE, come through!

The ONLY student led, student leadership conference in NYC?

Jeremy — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 22:24:16 +0000

All of us in youth development aspire to empowering students to actually lead. Rhetorically, it’s why we do what we do. Jesus called it making disciples and put it in his Great Commission speech right before he left his own disciples to run things. History records the advantages as every major social movement has been fueled by young people.

But too often we adult leaders stand in the way of youth actually leading. Usually it’s unintentional. Busy lives, lack of planning, mistrust — lots of reasons conspire against releasing real authority to students.

On September 12, that changes … at least for one day.

Join Latino Pastoral Action Center, the Coalition of Urban Youth Workers, Urban Kingdom Youth Ministries, CitiVision Inc, Generation Xcel, Greater Heights, and 20/20 Vision for Schools for Kickin’ It Old Skool, the first student led, student leadership conference (and concert!) in recent memory.

Bring your student leaders, and be challenged along with us to make real student leadership a regular part of youth development and student ministry.

It’s the only way to change the world.

+ Embrace the Mess: Why Youth Must Lead Now

Today and Tomorrow: Mentoring Institute

Jeremy — Fri, 29 May 2009 19:11:13 +0000

Upcoming Training Opportunities

Jeremy — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 19:51:48 +0000

In April and May, 20/20 offers two GREAT Level 3 and 4 training opportunities for faith-based school adopters.

[Level 4: Organizational Development]

The NYC National Church Adopt-A-School Initiative Training

(A Collaboration of Tony Evans’ Urban Alternative & 20/20 Vision for Schools)

Download Flier

Date: Thursday April 30 – Saturday May 2, 2009
Time: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Location: American Bible Society 1865 broadway – New York, NY 10023
Contact: Edwin Pacheco, Jr @ 347.526.2697 or e-mail EPacheco@NYCLeadership.com

Registration fee:
$100 per person
Toolkit: $200 per group
Groups: 3 people + 1 toolkit = $500

[Level 3 Best Practice Series: Launching a Safe and Effective Mentoring Program]

Mentoring Ministry Training

(A Collaboration of Christian Association of Youth Mentoring & 20/20 Vision for Schools)