- New ideas are more participant generated. There is less gentle ‘prodding’
required. We feel this change happened as a consequence of pulling the
staff facilitator away from direct contact with the group more often. It
was particularly evident after the facilitator’s vacation.
- Outside barriers can plague individuals and the ramifications are sometimes
evident in the group. Problems such as substance abuse, mental health issues
and lack of anger management, need to be addressed. Their effects can be
more critical in this type of group dynamic where the members may be more
vulnerable and may not know how to deal with the issues, fallout, etc.
- ‘Ownership’ is also a two-sided coin. It is wonderful to watch the
participants take control and feel pride in the project, driving them on to
further accomplishments and public relations. However, competition
amongst the group for ‘bragging rights’ or control is not positive. The group
will need to turn their support to each other as much as to the project. New
ideas should be welcomed. New ways of doing things do not negate the
efforts of previous ideas and activities.
Perhaps the most dramatic result of the project is the transference of this
‘ownership’ from the Trails project to the other areas of our organization.
The learners and community placement participants have, on their own
initiative, sought more involvement in our agency. They want to help, to feel
valued, to be ‘givers’. On their own, they have painted rooms, made signs,
and refurbished parts of our building. They have joined the
Board, worked on committees and helped with
fundraising/marketing activities. All these activities continue to
allow for learning, but they also provide ‘spirit’ to our program.
This spirit is infectious. People want to come here to learn and
they want to stay!