The HTJ model is a transformative leadership development and mental health promotion strategy. This model (for personal and collective healing) supports Chicago youth to become leaders and thus creates new pathways for recovery, and positive mental health outcomes for the youth and their communities.
How The Healing Through Justice Model Works
Mirrors: Self-Reflection and Identity Building
Mirrors represent the component where individuals engage in deep self-reflection and identity-building. This component involves seeing oneself as an asset and understanding personal experiences and struggles within the context of systems impacting youth, families, and communities. For example, a youth might start by listening to others' stories, realizing they are not alone in their challenges, and starting to understand their personal narrative through a deeper reflection of connections through the systems that have impacted their lives. Mirrors give people the time, space, and safety to understand their lives within the lens of their experiences and their identities. This component is crucial for developing a strong sense of self and building confidence to share one's own story. It emphasizes identity as a source of strength, encouraging individuals to embrace and leverage their unique backgrounds and experiences.
Windows: Developing a Vision of Hope and Optimism
Windows symbolizes the engagement of young people in re-imagining their communities and the change that they want to see, and developing a new sense of community that entails being in partnership with different people, cultures, and perspectives. This component involves stepping out of one's comfort zone to connect with others, fostering empathy, understanding, and a sense of community. Youth experience windows by participating in activities that creates shared narratives.. It is the interdependence of people, identities, and relationships that helps them see the broader context of their struggles, building solidarity and a collective vision for change. For instance, a youth leader might begin to speak up and share their story publicly in efforts to build broader awareness and action around youth-driven solutions and recognizing the broader implications of their experiences within their community.
Doors: Taking Action and Changing Systems
Doors represent the move beyond personal growth and community connection when youth actively work toward positive change in their communities, often working towards systems change. Youth work with adult allies to engage in youth-led participatory action research and engage in analyzing root causes of issues impacting their families and communities, and advance strategies that promote structural change and their vision of healing-centered communities.
Youth in this component engage in organizing efforts and advocacy for systems change that reflect the world they want to see. For example, they might participate in campaigns to address community-wide issues, such as affordable housing, by meeting with policy stakeholders, institutions, and systems leaders, and educating their communities. Youth drive collective action and societal transformation that furthers their own personal growth, empowerment, and healing.
