Programs & Approach
Mirror Image Arts utilizes Restorative Theatre™, positive youth development, culturally responsive teaching, healing-centered, trauma-informed and restorative approaches. We use theatre as a vehicle to understand social interactions and creates social context for youth to make meaning in a freedom to fail environment that teaches reasoning and social context through empathy. Studies have shown that a sense of belonging plays a crucial role in social development. We believe that humans are in a constant state of “becoming” and are committed to humanizing others and self for our collective growth in our interconnectedness and responsibility to each other.
Our methodology offers a space where participants' social-emotional growth is activated through creativity, imagination, problem-solving, and play. Youth have the ability to change their thoughts, feelings, behaviors and perceptions with every experience they encounter. We co-create moments where individuals and communities can process the challenges they experience, work towards possible shared solutions, explore who they are and who they want to become.
Our facilitators are skilled theatre makers, first aid mental health youth certified, with ongoing training in relevant evidence-based practices (positive youth development, social-emotional learning, trauma-informed care, healing-centered engagement, culturally responsive teaching, and restorative practices).
We use Restorative Theatre© to reach the following goals:
Provide youth a safe, caring relationship with a trusted adult.
Co-create spaces of belonging where youth AND youth-serving adults can build self-awareness, connection and empathy.
Offer youth-supported spaces where they can process their emotions, practice bold decision-making, and reflect on the results of their choices.
Role model for youth how resilience can be expressed so they can navigate difficult social situations and come back stronger.
Assist schools and youth detention centers in their move from punitive disciplinary practices toward positive youth development and healing-centered engagement.
We create impact and collective liberation through three areas of approach: Prevention, Intervention, and Reintegration.
Are you interested in finding out more about our programs? Reach out to us at info@mirrorimagearts.org