Step 2: Exploration of Social Issues

Overview: The purpose of this phase of the process is to investigate and discuss the social issues the student will research throughout the rest of the project. This is the opportunity for Youth to express what they would like to see improved in their community, may be concerned about, may be experiencing in their own life or community. 

Grade: 6-12

Phases Leader Guide Youth Guide
Objectives To lead youth through the discussion and exploration of the social issue they will focus on during the project.

Will students be working together in small groups, individually, or large groups?

During this process youth have the opportunity to connect with their peers and the leader as they learn more about each other.		 Youth will have the opportunity to explore and discuss the social issues they are aware of in their community. They will have the opportunity to select what topic they will focus on during the remainder of the project.
Explanation DETERMINING THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY

This is a time for the youth to discuss what they see happening in their school, among friends, community, and city.

Explore local, national, and global social issues taking place.

We ENCOURAGE you to allow this conversation to be part of your process! Ask: ‘What do you care about?’ – may be the first time the students FEEL someone cares what they think! Don’t bypass this opportunity!

What do students care about?
What do students want to see improve in their community?
What concerns do students have about our world?
How do students address these concerns?
Need help getting the conversation started? Utilize the chart below to give the students ideas.

Non-profit agencies will identify themselves with a social cause(s) or population they support. Utilize the list available on the MGprograms.org website.

13 Social Cause Categories to Explore and Discuss

Description of each social cause 		Through discussion and investigation youth will think about the school, friends, community, and city – examining issues and areas that are concerning. Identify what specific area the youth would like to learn more about during the remainder of this project. Give the youth the opportunity to share their WHY.
Verification Ensuring the youth are given the opportunity to express themselves about the social cause they wish to learn more about. Ensuring the youth understand the impact of the selected social cause on the community and how they can give their time, talent and treasure to this cause.

Through the included activities students will gain a deeper understanding of their personal passion and desire for their community. Also, they will begin examining what can be done to support the social issue. 		At the end of this step of the program participating youth will have their social issue identified to be prepared to move to the non-profit research phase.

Youth need to understand if the are working independently or will be working within a small group throughout the rest of this project.
Activity Lead students through the discovery of their social issue they wish to learn more about through this project. Through discussion and investigation, the student to look at the issue on a Global, National, State and Local level to truly gain an understanding of the issue at hand. This investigation can be done in a small group or individually.

Several activities are linked under RESOURCES:
- Heartbreak
- Blue Sky Envision Activity
- Talent + Heart = SUPERPOWER 		The activity will allow youth to identify how they want to support their community and be an engaged citizen. Several of the activities allow them to identify positive activities they can do at their age to make an impact in the community.
Reflection Take time to understand why the social issue selected by the student is important to them. Take time to reflect on why his issue rose to the top for you. Through reflection activities.

Allowing the youth to share among their peers will allow them to understand that they are NOT alone.