Transform: A life empowerment program in schools for violence, abuse, & trauma-exposed youth

This research project investigates outcomes from Year One of Transform—a life empowerment pilot program tailored for youth exposed to violence and abuse. Transform was implemented through the partnership of two community based organizations working at a Los Angeles inner-city middle school. Violence, trauma, and stress induced behavior in youth may have serious negative impacts on their education and potentially their future. While trauma and stress affects many communities, they are more likely to be amplified in economically disadvantaged communities where opportunities are limited. Consequently, academic achievement can be nearly impossible when students are primarily focused on their own safety and survival. Unable to constructively regulate themselves, they have little control over what is happening in their minds and bodies, which may lead to disruptive behavior. The focus of Transform is on the whole person and helping students gain control of their bodies, minds and emotions while helping them increase their self-awareness, confidence and ability to set and realize goals. Transform encourages youth to learn in their own way with a variety of learning modalities which are both practical and therapeautic inspired by yoga, meditation, rhythmn and other healing modalities. Results from Year One support that Transform is empowering students with critical lifeskills, improved sleep habits, and better impulse control. This session will share results, best practices, and how this curriculum can be applied with violence, abuse, and trauma exposed populations through a trauma informed lens.