The Queen Rania Family & Child Center (QRFCC) of the Jordan River Foundation: A Case Study of Abuse Prevention through Social & Emotional Education By: Maya Chivi Purpose & Methodology • How can prevention programs overcome the challenges for community involvement in areas where children and youth 1) are victims of abuse and 2) live in environments in which such maltreatment is prevalent • Data collected in June, July, and August 2009 • 54 Semi‐structured interviews • Observations • Field notes *Girls with puppets their mothers created at the QRFCC’s puppet‐making workshop for women *Youth Summer Leadership Program volunteers 2 Jordan • Population: • 70% under age of 30 • 60% under age of 24 • Jabal Al Nasr, East Amman *A QRFCC staff member hanging paintings created after the death of two brothers as a result of child abuse ‐ both were under the age of 5 3 Jabal Al Nasr: Issues faced by children & youth • In the community • In schools • Additional issues faced by girls * Youth of Tomorrow Committee members in the playground they won funding to renovate in a national contest 4 The QRFCC: Rights & Needs • • • • Health Safety Protection from abuse Mental and body integrity *Example of photo used during children and youth’s workshops to increase emotional intelligence 5 The QRFCC’s Growth Dar Al Aman (“Safe House”) : Child and Youth Abuse Intervention 2000 The QRFCC: Child and Youth Abuse Prevention 2005 Youth Volunteer Leadership Program Children: Boys and Girls Youth Youth of Tomorrow Committee Women: Training Center Establishment of the Gym: For Women and Girls Safe Schools Project Fathers: Training Center Community Leaders Directors Students Teachers This growth chart represents JRF’s initial work in abuse intervention under the Child Safety Program to next begin to work on abuse prevention through the establishment of the QRFCC and it’s sub‐units The QRFCC: How? • Local Community Center – Interactive Mediums Unit Workshops • Children, Youth, Mothers – Youth Programs • Training Center – Mothers, Fathers – Community Leaders Children & Youth’s Social & Emotional Development • Safe Schools Project 7 The QRFCC: Coming Full Circle This graph shows how the QRFCC’s work involves and engages all members of the community The QRFCC: Impact in the Community • Individual impact in two stages • Model adopted covers full spectrum of social needs • Indirect beneficiaries • Growth versus shift in focus 9 * Youth of Tomorrow Committee members in the playground they won funding to renovate in a national contest “... he [the director] told me he had found out about a student who was severely abused. He said, “I feel that everything that was discussed in the Safe Schools [project] is at stake if we don’t act regarding this case... [And] I felt that if I did not talk to you right now ... I would feel that I am a traitor ... it would be a shame for me to be a school director ... to look at this student in this situation and remain quiet .” 10 The QRFCC’s Challenges • • • • Integrating into Jabal Al Nasr Long‐term continuity Meeting community needs Relations with other organizations, municipalities, and government officials 11 * The playground’s surrounding walls at the time the research was conducted Lessons Learned • Focus on prevention • The need for community involvement and engagement • Engagement of all targeted groups for implementation of comprehensive approach *Youth Summer Leadership Program volunteers playing games aimed at team building and East and West youth integration IHSP Policy Fellowship Program 2009