For Care Homes: GIP
Children We Support
Child Welfare in Japan
An Introduction to the Children We Support
In Japan, children's care homes (児童養護施設, Jidō Yōgo Shisetsu) provide a safe and supportive living environment for children who are unable to live with their families due to circumstances such as abuse, neglect, family difficulties, or other challenges.
Currently, there are approximately 23,000 children were living in residential care homes as of February 2023. These facilities provide essential support, including daily care, education, and emotional guidance.
However, beyond meeting their basic needs, children also benefit from opportunities to connect with wider society, build meaningful relationships, and recognize their own potential. Experiences that encourage active participation and contribution can help foster a sense of belonging, confidence, and self-efficacy.
Well-being of Children in Care
Research conducted in Japan by Nakatomi et al. (2018) identified statistically significant differences in well-being between elementary school children living in residential care homes and those living with traditional families.
Children in care homes reported lower levels of overall quality of life, emotional well-being, and self-esteem, highlighting the importance of providing additional opportunities that support their psychological and social development.
Data used from Nakatomi, T., Ichikawa, S., Wakabayashi, H., & Takemura, Y. C. (2018). Children and adolescents in institutional care versus traditional families: A quality of life comparison in Japan. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 16, Article 151. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12955-018-0980-1
Our Programs
The Global Identity Program
Through our Global Identity Program (GIP), we provide children in care homes with opportunities to engage with wider society through volunteering and community-based projects.
Our approach focuses on fostering two key elements of well-being: a sense of belonging and self-efficacy.
By engaging in meaningful community activities, children develop connections with people beyond their immediate environment, helping them feel valued and included in society. At the same time, volunteering and developing their own community projects allow children to experience the positive impact of their actions, strengthening their belief in their ability to make a difference (self-efficacy).
Grounded in the PERMA framework of well-being, our program aims to enhance children's overall well-being by nurturing meaningful relationships, a sense of purpose, and personal accomplishment through community engagement. We hope to empower children to recognize that they are not only recipients of support but also capable contributors to society.
Program Flow
① Impact Day
Students participate in a 1-day immersive program where they explore a global issue through an organization that aims to combat it on a local scale. They learn about the work the organization does and get involved by directly volunteering and supporting its initiatives. After volunteering and engaging with the organization's work firsthand, they continue the GIP by creating a project that they will develop and put into action through the next stage of the program.
.jpg)
② Extension Program
After engaging in the volunteering experience, students participate in a four-month program with weekly sessions where they bring their project ideas to life. This is made possible through the support and mentorship of our mentors and volunteers, who serve as facilitators and guides, empowering students to take ownership of their projects while providing the encouragement and resources needed to succeed.
③ Project Showcase
Students from different care homes come together to present their projects, share their learning journeys, and reflect on the impact of their work. Following the showcase, students participate in fun group activities to celebrate their growth, collaboration, and contributions throughout the program cycle
Voice of Volunteers
Mei Kanada│Volunteer for 1+ Year
I started my journey with YFF by joining the curriculum development team but soon became curious as to how the lessons operate in person. Once I began volunteering, it helped me gain a better understanding of the students that we design our curriculum for. I look forward to volunteering at the orphanage every week. I think it’s truly an irreplaceable experience that allows volunteers to not only teach students skills like global citizenship and digital literacy, but volunteers also get to learn alongside the students, forming genuine connections in diverse environments.
As a volunteer and curriculum designer, I strive to foster an environment where mistakes are embraced as part of the learning process and pivoting is encouraged. These students have so much passion and curiosity; it’s truly a joy to see them grow throughout the lessons.
Ryuta Wijers│Volunteer for 2+ Year
I believe that Youth For Future provides the children with experiences and opportunities that they wouldn’t ordinarily be exposed to. I believe Youth For Future’s impact goes past just international exposure, however. It is wonderful to see the kids growing comfortable opening up to people from different cultures and ethnicities. I believe the close bond we are able to create with the kids is a testament to our work.
Our Approach & Tools
Introduction
Our approach for the GIP follows utilizing two main tools, which are the five life skills that are promoted in all of our programs and the learning cycle, which is an important part of the experiences that the children go through.
Life Skills
Social Skills
Throughout their experiences, children strengthen skills such as communication, collaboration, critical thinking, self-management, and emotional awareness. These skills support their personal development while helping them build meaningful relationships and confidence in their abilities.
Thinking Skills
Improve critical thinking by learning how to evaluate information carefully and make well-informed decisions, as well as reflect on experiences and learn from them to build a balanced and insightful perspective.
Social Skills
Learn how to communicate clearly and work effectively in a team, handle conflicts gently, and build strong cooperation skills that help you get along well with others in both personal and professional settings.
Inquiry Skills
Develop the ability to conduct detailed investigations, ask the right questions, and explore a wide range of topics in order to gain a deeper understanding and extend knowledge across various fields of interest.
Self Management
Strengthening the ability to manage time effectively, organize tasks, set realistic goals, and maintain a healthy balance in life, which is crucial for personal and professional success.
Self-Management
Self Management
Emotional Skills
Enhancing emotional intelligence by developing empathy and compassion, learning to understand and care about others' feelings. Commit to making a positive impact and being open to new perspectives and cultures.
Program Learning Cycle
As children progress from volunteering to developing their own community projects, they are guided through a five-stage learning cycle: Investigation, Planning, Action, Demonstration, and Reflection.
Investigation
Students embark on a journey to understand the chosen topic by engaging in thorough research and inquiry. This phase involves gathering information and asking questions to build a solid foundation of knowledge.