Since May 2025, Youth+ has been running two monthly workshops aimed at personal development for young people: Emotions in Motion and Everyday Heroes. These two programs were developed to offer different but complementary paths for self-discovery, one through movement, the other through storytelling. Both have become consistent spaces where youth gather to grow emotionally, build self-confidence, and connect with others in meaningful ways.

Emotions in Motion began in May and has been held every first Saturday of the month. The sessions invite participants to explore their emotions through guided physical movement rather than words. Facilitated by trained youth workers and somatic educators, the workshops use warm-ups, creative exercises, and non-verbal group activities to help young people reconnect with their bodies, understand their emotional states, and express what often goes unspoken. Each session ends with a reflection circle, offering time for personal insight and group sharing. The focus is not on performance or dance technique but on emotional awareness, presence, and trust.

One month later, in June, Everyday Heroes was launched. This workshop takes place every second Saturday of the month and focuses on personal storytelling as a form of empowerment. Through writing prompts, structured reflection, and optional group sharing, young people are guided to explore their life stories, identify meaningful moments, and shape them into narratives they can own and share. It’s not a public speaking course, nor is it about producing perfect stories. The core goal is to help participants recognize the strength and value of their lived experiences, and to grow through honest expression in a respectful, supportive group setting.

Over the past six months, more than 60 young people have participated in at least one of these sessions, with many returning regularly. Attendance has remained steady, averaging between 10 and 16 participants per session. Ages ranged mostly between 15 and 24, with participants coming from various social, cultural, and educational backgrounds. Across the board, engagement has been high, and the atmosphere in both workshops has remained welcoming, inclusive, and open.

The impact has been visible. Participants in Emotions in Motion have shared that the workshops helped them feel calmer, more grounded, and more connected to their emotions. For some, it was their first time realizing that movement could be a way to process feelings. In Everyday Heroes, participants described a growing sense of confidence and identity, with many expressing how powerful it felt to be truly heard without judgment. Some even said it was the first time they had ever shared parts of their story out loud. One 19-year-old participant said, “Sharing my story was scary at first, but now I feel more confident and proud of who I am.” Another, aged 17, shared: “I never thought movement could help me understand my feelings like this. I feel calmer and stronger after each session.”

Looking ahead, Youth+ plans to continue both workshops through the end of the year and is exploring new ways to deepen the impact. This includes the possibility of peer-led segments, partnerships with schools or community centers, and a full participant evaluation in December to gather more data on the workshops’ long-term benefits. The combination of body-based and story-based practices has proven effective in helping young people build emotional resilience, social connection, and a greater sense of self-worth.