The Game For Good (G4G) program supports at-risk youth through the infusion of values and the development of character traits found in competitive gaming, commonly referred to as esports.
G4G programs emphasize the importance of learning from others during the competitive application of esports. Esports provides youth the opportunity to gather core skills through the success of others, including peers and adults, without rivalry or competition behavior. Instead, they foster the ability to learn from the success of others, and improve their own goals based on lessons learned from others.
ABOUT OUR PROGRAM
At-Risk Youth have many specialized needs. The G4G framework for learning addresses those social-emotional needs that impact the growth and development of our youth. Specifically, the program focuses on the following needs:
- Independence
- Belonging
- Mastery
- Generosity
- Self-empowerment
Our G4G framework specifically supports the at-risk youth population with a learning framework that associates success factors with the respective needs:
- The need for independence – building confidence and responsibility.
- The need for belonging – building trust and teamwork.
- The need for mastery – developing competence and leadership.
- The need for generosity – instilling purpose and compassion
- The need for self-empowerment – developing skills to bridge the digital divide
At-Risk Youth need specialized services that:
- Supports an Experiential and Evidence-based learning model
- Expands opportunities for teachers / mentors / youth workers to impart skills
- Promotes skills and workforce development of esports career opportunities
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Offset loss of opportunity and disproportionate impact to at-risk-youth caused by COVID-19
FRAMEWORK PRINCIPLES
The G4G learning framework is built on the principles developed by Brendtro and Larson (2006) which defines an approach to build resiliency and satisfy the four (4) needs of our youth:
- Independence
- Belonging
- Mastery
- Generosity
G4G learning framework utilizes a 5th principle that applies specifically to at-risk youth:
SELF-EMPOWERMENT PRINCIPLES
This principle is necessary to address the many stressors in the life of at-risk youth that may deter their path to a prosperous future. Those who endure the hardships of poverty, educational barriers, live in an unsafe community, and have minimal support systems, may engage in risk behaviors that could lead to challenges in life. Self-empowerment principles bridge the socio-economic divide that many of these at-risk youth will face in the future.