Here is a basic overview of a personal development program that you could approach your local high school with. Running a program in your local high school is a great way to have a presence in your community and helps connect teens into your youth ministry. You are welcome to use this program in any of your high schools for free. To read more about this program download the pdf at the bottom of the page.
The One Life Program is a dynamic and relational program, which is designed to increase the participant’s value of self, others and education. We seek to achieve this by being practically involved in the curriculum of the high school, offering an extension of the primary academic agenda of the government standards for teaching.
What does it look like?
The One Life program focuses on coaching and mentoring students in a small group environment of a ratio of 1 mentor to 6 or 7 students. The aim of this program is to establish goals and personal growth opportunities for the students, set in place strategies to achieve those goals and provide ongoing support for the students to stay focused on the goals they have set. Studies have shown that when a student has set specific targets to strive for, the likelihood of succeeding is much greater; this is true in all areas of life.
The One Life program runs for 8 weeks, once a week during class time, in a room chosen by the host school. The program best appeals to year 7, year 8 and year 9 students as they are still developing who they will become as a young person. Students enjoy attending the One Life Program because of the entertaining games, the mentoring relationships that are built and the new friendships created with the other students.
The One Life Program starts with high-energy games, which help break down any social barriers that have been created within the high school setting. When games are finished, one of the One Life mentors or guest speakers facilitates a 10-15 minute talk based on the topic for the week e.g. Respect, attitude, mental health, self-esteem etc. After this, the One Life mentors take small groups and talk to the students, encouraging them to share their thoughts on the topic, and how it can be applied to their life. To end the program, One Life Mentors and other students will share public encouragements of the other students in the One Life Program. Students leave the program feeling affirmed, and with an increased value of self.
