IDEA logo

Reinventing Education

strategically, collaboratively, and sustainably

The Possibility Project

The Possibility Project empowers teenagers to create safe, peaceful, and productive lives and communities. Using the performing arts and community action as vehicles, The Possibility Project aims to develop the next generation of engaged community leaders. The vision of TPP is to create a society where teenagers are valued, respected and play a leading role in creating a better world.

Location: New York City, NY

Highlights:

The Possibility Project is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization operating three programs for youth in New York City. TPP also works with partner organizations in four additional U.S. cities, Israel, and Cape Town, South Africa to create and sustain local Possibility Projects in these locations.

The Possibility Project brings together vastly diverse groups of teenagers who meet weekly for a year. Through a combination of issue-oriented discussions, trainings in diversity, conflict resolution, leadership and community activism, instruction in the full range of performing arts, and the creation of scenes and writing, the youth cast writes, produces and performs an original musical based on their lives and their ideas for change. In addition, they design and lead community action projects on issues of concern to them in order to take their creative vision for change into the world.

Values
 
  • Cross-Cultural understanding
  • Youth leadership
  • Integrity
  • Excellence
Since its inception, The Possibility Project has asked its young people “What are the capacities that you and other teenagers need in order to thrive in adulthood and lead in your communities?” Through analysis of their responses in accordance with current research, The Possibility Project has identified seven outcomes that it strives to meet:
 
  • Cross-cultural competence and understanding
  • Conflict resolution skills
  • Leadership skills
  • Initiative toward social change
  • Positive and powerful sense of the future
  • Performing arts excellence
  • College attainment
To date, The Possibility Project has demonstrated remarkable results.

Links:


Tags for this entry:
high school, theater, the possibility project, community service

Related Resources:

One Year Out: Class of 2010 Shares Lessons Learned About College Readiness

Little Village Lawndale High School Campus & Social Justice High School

Global Best Practices - An Internationally Benchmarked Self-Assessment Tool for Secondary Learning

Hip Hop Genius: Remixing High School Education

Learning Unlimited