Has the youth developed a vision for their best life?
Developing a vision sets the stage for a youth's success. Still, it can be challenging or even overwhelming for youth to build a vision of their best life. It might seem too complex or far into the future to embrace today. As a professional, you can help youth consider what they want as they develop their vision for the future.
The Life trajectory (PDF) tool from Charting the LifeCourse helps youth envision their best life and identify the steps and experiences needed to get there.
To begin, encourage youth to complete these sections:
Then, in the space above the arrow, help them list what steps it might take to get there. Below the arrow, list steps or things to avoid. When the activity is complete, reflect on the benefits of writing down specific action items and things to avoid.
Step 1: Walk through the Build your dream worksheet (PDF).
The worksheet will help youth start to think about their future and how much money they'll need to live the life they want.
As you walk through the worksheet, ask questions like:
Step 2: When the worksheet is complete, ask: Will benefits be enough to afford the life you want? What do you need to have enough money to pay for the things in your budget?
Answer: A job!
Some people have cash benefits, like SSI. This gives them some money, but most often it isn't enough to live on.
Step 1: Ask what they've heard about SSI.
Step 2: Ask if they've ever heard that you can't work if you're on SSI.
If so, explain that this isn't right. People can work and be on SSI. In fact, SSI is designed so people are always better off when they work. And people on SSI need to work if they want to have more than just the very basics.
Step 3: Review the budget developed in the activity above.
Review the total costs, and remind them that SSI is only $943 a month in 2023. Then ask what that means for their budget.
The I'm determined project provides tools and support to help youth set goals, be heard and reach for the stars. Introduce youth to activities that support self-determination.
The Self-determination inventory: Student report asks youth how they feel about their ability to be self-determined. The results provide a snapshot that can help youth build actions and skills to reach their goals. The tool can also provide a pre- and post-inventory to see if program services impacted their sense of self-determination.
The Self-determination inventory: Student report guide helps youth use their inventory results to build a plan to reach their goals.
