GP's Approach with Families

Global Potential recognizes and honors the powerful role that a youth’s family has in their life. Mothers, fathers, uncles, aunts, brothers, sisters, cousins and any other significant people in the lives of our youth whom they consider part of their family…Global Potential partners with our youth’s families to further support and empower them. We are committed to being aware of, and sensitive to, both culture and language, and work to meet the specific needs of each individual family. Many family members of our alumni are now helping GP recruit and counsel other families of new youth participants.

Before even applying for the program, we seek to involve family members in every step of the process, and to have clear communication throughout.

Before the six-weeks international trip, it is our priority to meet with every youth’s family in person, and to have ongoing communication with them. Our staff is proactive to answer any questions or concerns, and to ensure that the families are supporting the youth’s choice to participate in GP. This might be the first time the youth has an opportunity to participate in a program like Global Potential and we recognize that stepping outside of a routine can be challenging, although necessary.

During the trip, our New York and Boston-based staff are available by phone to inform families about any updates from the field, and to pass messages back and forth. Although it is a challenge for families, we do insist that they not be in regular touch with the GP youth while they are in the field. However, we do encourage phone calls and emails once a week. This is to allow the youth to truly immerse themselves in the village life and culture where they are.

After the international field experience, we continue to be available to communicate with families. We follow up with each of them to learn from them about the impacts that the trip has had on the youth. We also maintain family involvement in supporting the youth to meet their goals related to their Social Enterprise Ventures, increased Community Service, and improved Educational results.

What GP does to connect with families (please contact GPfamilies@global-potential.org for more information)

• Coordinate connections for parents to talk to each other through our Family to Family Peer Network. This Network is to provide advice, perspective, and support, and the opportunity to share experiences from having their youth involved in GP.

• Recruit members for a Family Committee of interested and involved family members, who engage each other and other family members, assist in recruitment and in follow-up with our youth.

• Informational meetings at the school.

• Social events around the community.

• Maintain our presence at the schools/community events.

• Hold individual meetings- either within the home or at the school.

• Information about the program (pamphlets, etc.) available in multiple languages.

• Access to support services from GP staff, or to referrals to outside sources.