PROGRAMS & TRAINING
ITC! YOUTH CURRICULUM OVERVIEW
Listed below are the sections of the ITC! Curriculum. Each section contains 4 lessons.
Section I -- Creating a Vision for Life
Many young people go through life aimlessly, without an idea of where they want to end up. We believe that many young people engage in risky behaviors out of a sense of hopelessness and an inability to see that they are unique, exceptional, precious in the sight of God, significant, and free to make their own choices in life. This section will help youth to identify who they want to become as individuals and to begin to discover how their unique giftedness can make a difference in the world.
Section II -- Building Healthy Relationships
The desire to love and be loved is something we all have in common. Relationships are what make our lives interesting and meaningful. Our relationships with ourselves, our families, and our community require commitment to practicing the Golden Rule if they are to be strong and long-lasting. This section will help young people to discern the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships, recognize the tactics of someone who is taking advantage, and learn the basics for effective communication.
Section III -- Making Wise Decisions
Our lives are shaped by the decisions we make. We create a path for ourselves one choice at a time, and few of us are aware of the direction until experiences in life make that path obvious. The goal of this section is to enable young people to live purposeful lives—to see the effect their current choices are having on their lives and to recognize that unhealthy choices, such as alcohol or drug abuse, and early sexual involvement, may quickly sabotage their dreams. This section will help young people to focus their decisions toward realizing their dreams, to learn effective ways to communicate their values, and to stand up under pressure.
Section IV -- Putting It All Together
The final section turns the spotlight on the unique challenges of living in a world with HIV/AIDS and what it means to “love your neighbor as yourself” when it comes to those who are suffering. This section covers the basic facts about HIV/AIDS and how it is spread, tips for caring for persons who are ill, or staying healthy for as long as possible for those who are infected. Youth are encouraged to get involved by creating a group project to help others. Each individual is asked to make a personal commitment that will help those who are hurting in the community or help to end the spread of HIV/AIDS.
