Cultivating Positive Youth Development through Latin American Street Soccer Programming

Authors

  • Caroline M Petrilla
  • Diana Matteson
  • Dorienne J Silva
  • Seamus Mannion
  • Stacy L Huggins Youth Advocate Programs, Inc.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/jcycw.2021.10

Keywords:

Street Soccer, Positive Youth Development, PYD, Youth Advocate Programs, YAP, Mediation

Abstract

Youth disconnected from their families and communities lack critical community supports, placing them at higher risk of establishing unhealthy behaviors that can lead to poor outcomes, including involvement in juvenile justice systems.  They need assistance to develop essential life skills and family and community connections.  Engaging youth and families, otherwise marginalized by society, in innovative, affordable and effective ways is a global challenge. This paper summarizes the history of the Latin American launched global street soccer movement to promote inclusion and positive development of youth living in vulnerable situations.  It explores the power and potential of street soccer’s holistic and inclusive programming approach as a vehicle for individual transformation and community engagement.  And it examines the evolving integration of the Latin American street soccer methodology in working with youth and families with complex needs, particularly as experienced by the nonprofit service organization Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. (YAP).

Author Biographies

Caroline M Petrilla

Caroline Marie Petrilla J.D., M.A. is a professional mediator with 30 years’ experience in the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), social justice and human services arenas.  Her work with Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. promotes support services, policies, and networks for system-involved youth and families throughout the US and internationally. A focus area includes integrating restorative practices in programming for youth with complex challenges and needs.  A long-time Rutgers University adjunct professor, she teaches undergraduate and law students conflict management, mediation and leadership skills.  She serves on two New Jersey judicial restorative justice Juvenile Conference Committees, diversionary programs for first-time youth offenders.

Diana Matteson

Diana Matteson M.A. is Director of International Development for Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. (YAP), a nonprofit that provides community-based services for youth and families with complex needs.  She has over 20 years of experience in human services in direct practice, teaching and development.  She holds an M.A. degree in Art Therapy and a B.A. in Psychology from George Washington University. Diana is bilingual – proficient in Spanish and English.  She presents at international conferences and has led educational workshops in several different countries on positive clinical practice and effective interventions with youth and families.  Diana led youth delegations to Brazil and Argentina to participate in international street soccer tournaments and is coordinating YAP’s introduction of street soccer in the US and internationally.

Dorienne J Silva

Dorienne J. Silva M.S.W. is COO/Deputy CEO and President of International Relations and Development with Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. (YAP).  She oversees YAP’s organizational operations and leads YAP’s national and international development.  Ms. Silva has 30 years of social service direct practice and management experience.  Prior to joining YAP, she held top leadership positions in New Jersey’s Governor’s Committee on Children’s Services Planning and its cabinet-level Department of the Public Advocate. She has also worked with the New Jersey nonprofits La Casa de Don Pedro and PROCEED, Inc., the Department of Social Services in San Juan, Puerto Rico and Catholic Big Sisters, Manhattan Family Court in New York City.  She is bi-cultural and fluently speaks and writes English and Spanish.

Seamus Mannion

Séamus Mannion M.A. Hons., Dip. Health Services Management has worked for 30 years in Health and Social Services in the UK and Ireland.  He has held senior management positions in hospitals and regional and national roles within community services. His experience spans operational and strategic management of Child Welfare and Protection services. In 2002, he visited the US to study the Youth Advocate Program, Inc. (YAP) Wraparound Advocate Model which he subsequently helped establish across Ireland.  As International Development Consultant for YAP, Séamus was instrumental in the development of community-based youth advocate programmes in Sweden and Australia.

Stacy L Huggins, Youth Advocate Programs, Inc.

Stacy Huggins M.S. works with Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. providing professional programming and support services throughout the US and internationally.  Her interest in juvenile justice reform emanates from her diverse and broad reaching career experience as a case manager, victim advocate, investigator, and probation officer.  Ms. Huggins has over 10 years of experience in the juvenile justice arena providing direct services and overseeing program operations.

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Published

2021-12-16

How to Cite

Petrilla, C. M., Matteson, D., Silva, D. J., Mannion, S., & Huggins, S. L. (2021). Cultivating Positive Youth Development through Latin American Street Soccer Programming. Journal of Child and Youth Care Work, 27. https://doi.org/10.5195/jcycw.2021.10

Issue

Vol. 27 (2021)

Section

Practitioner Perceptions

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