Building on the notion that unyielding disapproval does not alter a youth’s behaviour, J Smarts recognizes the need to break free from a rule based approach. In many cases rule based risk management and injury prevention achieves the opposite results it sets out to reach-leading youth to experiment far beyond their boundaries for the sheer thrill of breaking the ‘rules’.
J Smarts is a unique program dedicated to reducing the frequency and severity of preventable injuries amongst youth by engaging them in activities that build awareness, educate and provide experiential learning opportunities that teach the principles behind injury prevention. J Smarts accomplishes this by building capacity in youth to identify, assess and mitigate risks, while maintaining an active lifestyle participating in the sports they choose. Instead of rules, J Smarts asks youth to consider four simple questions that form the foundation of the program and are designed to get them thinking about the impacts of taking risks.
Through these questions, J Smarts builds capacity in youth to manage risk as opposed to fostering safety through fear and/or avoiding physical activity. J Smarts offers youth new tools to help ‘Think it Thru’ – assessing risk, without compromising on fun or an active lifestyle.
There are a number of elements that contribute to J Smarts’ unique value proposition and its potential to make a difference such as:
- Using market research to shape the program content for maximum impact
- Providing participants with a complete participatory learning environment that combines the principles and practices of injury prevention
- Leveraging technology to provide enhanced experiential activities.
J Smarts’ Vision, Mission and Value statements reflect our commitment to supporting youth to play hard and play safe.
Vision:
Live Life Large
Mission:
Life Learning Through Sports
Values:
Compassion: Demonstrated commitment to youth, their unique identities, culture and needs.
Collaboration: Working together to assist youth in making healthier and safer life choices.
Innovation: At the leading edge of injury prevention.