LifeXchange - Youth Development

 Built on the work of the Pacific Institute concerning Thought Patterns & Thinking processes, the work of youth-at-risk specialists, Dr. Scott Larson and Dr Brendtro, and LifeXchange’s own research through the University of Stellenbosch; LifeXchange developed a unique approach to at-risk behaviour and youth development.

In our approach we address the transformation of thought processes through targeting the essential elements in the development of a young person.

This “transformation of thought processes” is the main vine running through the three operational ‘branches’ which make up LifeXchange’s proudly South African product – The Holistic Life Mentoring Process:

(1) Mentoring – To assure one-on-one attention, personalized guidance and sustainability, mentoring is the foundation of LifeXchange. All mentors, who are volunteers, are trained to understand how the mind works, what the key areas of development are and how to embark on a life changing journey with a young person.

(2) Extreme sports & Adventure – is used as an experiential teaching tool, as a bridge for relationship building between mentor and mentee, and as a tool to develop personal vision and efficacy of the mentee

(3) Support Networking – has two functions: (a) To assess each young person and establish specific developmental needs in order to develop a support structure based on those developmental needs that have  been identified (b) to give ‘power’ to the community to get involved by offering their skills, abilities and opportunities in the developmental process of these young people.

Where these three areas meet, under the umbrella of understanding ‘effective thinking processes’ and youth development, we find holistic sustainable transformation of youth-at-risk.