Constructive Use of Time

Hello Everyone!

What a funny title for a group of assets. This one includes creative activities, youth programs, religious community, and time at home.

We can definitely learn about activities and youth programs!

The idea is not just to structure time, but to make the time rich. We have game night at the shelter on Monday evenings. A couple volunteers their time to play group games with the youth there. They play Gestures and games in which the teens must think and act out. Lots of our youth have never played games like this before, so they learn good teamwork and how to get along well with others in competition.
They also have a lot of fun.

Tips

Provide a variety of activities
Arrange for local artists to come in and do creative activities
Have as much one on one time with youth as possible
Display teen's artwork and talent
Tell the parents what their youth can do and are doing
Help find community resources for youth to participate in outside the program

It is a funny thing at our shelter, but the teens will usually say no if you ask them if they want to play a game or do art, etc. But if you get the game out or the art supplies, pretty soon there are teens wanting to participate.

Any ideas on what has worked for you all?

LA