Workshops Ideas Nov’ 09 outlines several workshop topics for youth in November 2009, including examining adultism and how it is seen in different situations, discussing media portrayals of youth and whether common stereotypes are used, promoting healthy lifestyles and exercise among teens, practicing improvisation skills to encourage critical thinking about media, discussing the harms of substance abuse and ways to get support, and providing information about local youth programs at a resource fair.

1. 01
Workshops Ideas Nov’ 09
Neighborhood Development Center
SJ Youth

2. 02
●“What do you know? You’re just a kid.” Does that sound
familiar? Ever wonder why adults treat younger people
unfairly? In this workshop participants will examine the bias
older generations have against youth, called adultism.
Keypoints:
oDefine Adultism
oWhich situations is it seen in? / How do teens react?
oHow to Deal with Adultism; why does it happen?
02
-Isms 101: Adultism

3. 03
03
●By selecting 7 popular TV ads to watch during this workshop,
we ask participants to engage in a discussion whether the
media accurately portrays youth; is the media is being
unfair by using generic over-exaggerated figures?
Questions:
oWhat media examples realistically portray the life of a 15-
18 year old?
Youth Stereotypes in the Media

4. 04
04
Staying Active, How & Why?
●Today, teens are not exercising enough; many of us are
confined to our rooms, watching TV or surfing the internet,
instead of going out to the park. In this workshop,
participants will get to know one another, discuss the sports
and ask questions like:
●Why is staying fit important to YOU?
●What’s preventing teens from participating in sports?
●How can teens, adults and role models promote healthier
lifestyles?

5. 05
Smaller Workshop
05 Acting Out Against Peer
Pressure: Theater Improv. Skills
●As one of the smaller workshops, the “Acting Out” workshop
is designed to encourage critical thinking about media
messages through the use of exciting theater improvisation
games. The workshop is extremely interactive, seeking to
educate, empower and inspire people to become leaders for
positive change!

6. 06
06
Substance Abuse
●In a facilitated discussion, participants will discuss the harm
drugs does to a community, reasons why people use drugs
and dangerous substances, after listening to an inspiring
speech made by a former substance abuser.
Keypoints:
oFind a support group, and discover resources for
substance abusers.
oPromote youth groups for change.
Approximately 2.1 million youths aged 12 to 17 had used inhalants at some time in their lives. 3.9
percent had used glue or shoe polish and 3.3 percent had used gasoline or lighter fluid. Among
youths
who were heavy drinkers in 2000, 65.5 percent were also current illicit drug users. Among
nondrinkers, only 4.2 percent were current illicit drug users.
Source: 2000 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse

7. 07
07
Youth Resource Fair
●After the workshops, youth participants can drop by the
resource faire to see the booths of local bay area teen
programs, such as:
●Youth engagement programs
●Help hotlines/Bill Wilson center (Safe Place)
●Youth commission booth
●Community center programs/SJ public library