St. Louis Caring Communities
Conceptual Underpinnings
Culturally competent/sensitive programming to build self esteem and respect in youth and their families
Formation of steering committees (advisory board) to ensure services and programming is neighborhood driven
Service delivery system which is community-based and school-linked
“Top-down and bottom-up” partnerships between state agencies-community-school
Ashanti Stool
In Ghana it represents Kingship and the soul of the people
Local Control/Governance
Local control was one of the primary aspects of Walbridge Caring Communities. The formation of steering committees was paramount to the effectiveness of the programming because decision making was led by people in the neighborhood working with state, agencies, teachers, community education personnel working together. The formation of a steering committee was infused at all 20 program sites after the expansion. It allowed the community/school/parents/state agencies to provide input and oversight of program site activities.
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Chiwara
In Mali it represents social values and agriculture
Concept of Afrocentricity
Afrocentricity is a cultural framework that teaches and reaffirms lessons about the Nguzo Saba, Ubuntu (collectivity), Rite of Passage and other activities which promote and reinforces the "village" concept. The goals of the Concept of Afroeentricity are to strengthen self identity, self respect and self reliance while building and empowering strong communities.
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Concept in Afrocentricity