Gladiola High School, Grants Pass

Alliance of Generations offers a Youth Elder Circle at Gladiola High School students.

The Youth Elder Circle brings together three experienced mentors and one young man for a confidential two-hour session. During this time, the men get to know the young man in a supportive and accepting manner. As the direction of the conversation unfolds, the men focus on parts of the young man’s life that appear to be important and challenging.  With the student’s permission, they help him approach these issues in a positive light. If the young man is willing, the men will assist the student to reframe the most important issue into a goal and then help him develop an action plan to meet that goal. At the end of the session, the men offer appreciations and positive feedback to the young man. This is a powerful moment for many young men, when they hear encouraging things about themselves; words they may never have heard, especially from older men. Hearing these positive messages from several men can increase the impact on the student.