Destiny Arts Center
(Programs Offered in the Community)
Program Name: Project Destiny
Program Description: Project DESTINY De-Escalation Skills Training Inspiring Nonviolence in Youth WHAT IS PROJECT DESTINY? Project DESTINY is an innovative after-school violence prevention program, based on the combination of the practice of traditional martial arts and/or modern and hip-hop dance, with the practical skills of self-defense and conflict resolution. The purpose of the program is to teach children tools to inspire them towards positive and effective participation in their school and communities. Destiny focuses on building self-discipline, self-expression, confidence and a sense of mastery. The long-term goal is to teach children to deal positively, creatively, and ultimately peacefully, with situations that are potentially violent, and to inspire them to become conflict managers in their schools and communities. The program involves a rigorous regime of martial arts and dance training; in combination with fun theater games and role plays that help the youth practice specific conflict resolution techniques. The curriculum is centered on the Five Fingers of Violence Prevention and the Warrior's Code, which students learn and practice in depth. Utilizing a point system, which rewards positive behaviors; youth earn a uniform as they progress through the program. Each Project Destiny student, when they have been successfully completed the program, participates in a graduation and performance for their school and families. Students perform the Warriors Code, martial arts, dance, and performance pieces set to poetry. They also speak about what conflict resolution means to them. Ultimately Project Destiny youth impact the larger community by becoming confident role models and advocates for peaceful resolution of conflict. WHO TEACHES PROJECT DESTINY? Project DESTINY is taught by experienced Destiny adult instructors and youth leaders. The youth leaders are trained in the Destiny philosophy of nonviolence and how to teach young students in an engaged and respectful way. We believe that the element of youth to youth mentoring is essential to the richness of the program, especially because we are teaching students to act nonviolently, when they may be extremely skeptical about the importance or usefulness of nonviolent strategies in conflict situations. WHY USE THE MEDIUMS OF DANCE, MARTIAL ARTS, THEATER AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION? Hip-hop Dance and Theater Games give the students an opportunity to experience artistic and cultural expression, and develop a sense of mastery over material that is accessible and fun for them. It also gives them a chance to blow off steam after a long day at school and the openness and energy to tackle the more difficult violence prevention material. Theater role-plays are then used to practice real life situations that need their conflict resolution skills. The Martial Arts give youth an opportunity to build the confidence and discipline to act nonviolently. Traditional martial arts incorporate the practice of meditation and self control into the physical skills building, and are an important part of giving the youth alternatives to violence. Studies show that the practice of martial arts with meditation and emphasis on the philosophy of nonviolence and respect, significantly reduces violent behavior, and increases self-esteem and self-confidence. Project DESTINY teaches Kung Fu at the basic level. Violence Prevention training involves discussion and practice of specific, easy-to-follow steps that give the students tools to deal with potentially violent situations. The core curriculum used for this is the Five Fingers of Self Defense. WHAT DOES PROJECT DESTINY DO FOR ITS PARTICIPANTS? Findings from previous years of programming have showed that we were able to make a critical impact on the youth involved in the program. In the 2000 program at Santa Fe Elementary School in Oakland, half of the youth showed dramatic improvement in self-control and a decrease in fighting behaviors, while another 30% of the youth showed some improvement. Students and teachers reported that a large number of youth in the program were able to find an alternative to violence when provoked. This included youth increasing their self-control by managing their anger and using words to take care of themselves while not allowing a peer to physically or verbally harass them. Youth that enter the program as 'negative leaders' are often able to become 'positive leaders' and role model peaceful, respectful behavior to their classmates. Teachers report that attendance in the Project Destiny program helped their students maintain their focus in the classroom and make an effort to pay attention and talk less. Teachers also noticed that students seemed more able to get along with other students, and to understand and accept the consequences of their behavior. One of the participant's parents, from the Santa Fe Elementary School program commented that his child would come right home from Project Destiny to do his homework so he had time later to practice what he had learned in class. WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROJECT DESTINY PROGRAM? Youth in grades 3 and above are referred by teachers for issues of tardiness, fighting, aggressive or withdrawn behavior or for being frequent targets of violence. We also encourage youth that are already 'positive leaders' to be integrated into the program. Youth may also self-select based on their interest in dance and/or marital arts. ABOUT DESTINY ARTS CENTER Destiny Arts Center is a community-based organization dedicated to providing violence prevention programs utilizing arts education for youth ages 3 - 18. Programs include dance, martial arts, theater, performance, and youth leadership training. Youth become mentors and teachers for each other at the center and in the community as they perform at events and offer workshops in violence prevention. Destiny Arts Center is committed to providing an atmosphere of support, challenge and growth for the diverse group of youth involved in our programs. A sense of community and responsibility is central to all of our activities.
Target Populations:
0-5
Elementary (K-2)
Elementary (grades 3-5)
Middle
High
Male
Female
LGBTQ
Program Type:
Art- Dance
Conflict Resolution
Youth Leadership
Martial Arts Violence Prevention: includes skills building in conflict resolution, self-defense, safety, and reporting problems to the appropriate adult
Program Locations: Currenttly serving the following schools: EBCC Elementary School Santa Fe Elementary School' Peralta Elementary School North Oakland Community Charter School Claremont Middle School Westlake Middle School Pinole Middle School Lighthouse Academy Youth Uprising Berkeley Altternative High School
Geographic Areas Served:
District 1 (North Oakland- Rockridge, Temescal, Claremont)
District 2 (East Oakland - China Town, East Lake, Grand Lake, San Antonio)
District 5 (East Oakland - Fruitvale)
Afterschool Monday through Friday. Nights Monday through Thursday.
Summer Monday through Friday. Some Saturdays.
Project Destiny programs are Destiny Arts Center's programs offered at school sites after school. The other programs happen at our Center after school, on weekends and during the summertime.
Wheelchair accessible: Yes
Transportation notes: Destiny Arts Center runs programs at our mainsite and in the outreach programs in schools, called Project Destiny. The mainsite programs are accessible by BART (one block from MacARthur BART station) and various bus lines.
Costs: Mainsite programs: $30 for one class per week, $55 for 2 classes per week; $60 for 3 or more classes per week