Our Learners & Services

The Eco-Restorative Culture Model at Youthaven-central themes

One innovative approach to this model is that it is the result of Dr. Kendall's Ph.D. evidence-based study about enhancing group care models for older children. The results from the study strongly suggest using a public ecovillage as the most favorable system to provide residential services to vulnerable youths. An overview of Youthaven's substantive approach for restoring the mystic heart of care, respect, and justice:

Alasdair MacIntyre recognizes and YPE fully adopts the position that for change to be consistent, institutions (programs and organizations), practices (good internal such as honesty, norms, and self-control as well as goods external, such as that for which one is in competition), and virtues, (such as three or more of Tough's seven character traits —grit, self-control, zest, social intelligence, gratitude, optimism, and curiosity (Tough, 2012, p. 76) must be in full alignment with the vision and mission of our organization. Normative Practices, Character Development, and Virtues over Vices represent the core of our “Restorative Culture” that is designed to teach, train, and show our life-learners about the value, importance, and merit of Intentional Living. We believe that such a whole-system-approach is needed to a) undo the harm done to our “at-promised” (our YES clients, "Youth Experiencing Success") who many were traumatized at a young age, and b) to start them on a path of self-discovery embracing middle-class values, respect for others, and wholesome responsibility.

An ecovillage is an intentional community that incorporates the value and respect of nature in all aspects of village life. Thousands of ecovillages flourish around the world. All of them are private, however. A public ecovillage is a concept that integrates the best systems among highly successful group care models. At the same time, it is the only one of its kinds. It is starting in Cincinnati, Ohio. Please join us in this effort.

• Are there any other Public Ecovillage Programs in the United States? No, we are the first.
• Is there a big difference between a public ecovillage and a typical group home for foster care youths? Yes. An ecovillage has strong values, principles, and systems supporting families, the natural environment, nutritional eating, and good health.
• Is there another big difference between the two models? Yes. This approach is based on complex Ph.D. study designed to generate top recommendations for ensuring success at a group care residential program.
• Is the cost of services higher than typical group home programs? No. When compared to the cost of prisons, the per capita cost is significantly less.
• Why should investors, donors, or foundation support your mission? There are several important reasons. Almost half of Cincinnati foster care children are placed outside the county, away from family, loved ones, and friends. Throughout the nation, there is merely not enough qualify foster care parents. New paradigms are needed, and they must include our most vulnerable population, homeless and runaway teens. In our nation, U.S. Department reports that 1.3 million homeless teens are attending high schools. We have a severe problem to which Dr. Kendall sought formal training at three graduate schools to find the remedy.