The new stories/new cultures after-school enrichment program: A direct cultural intervention

This article describes the organization, curriculum, and outcomes for New S tories/New Cultures, an activity-based program,for after-school enrichment in five schools in the low-income neighborhood near a major American univer sity. The program encourages students (70% Hispanic-American, 30% African-A merican) to experience themselves as producers of culture, not just as cons umers. Its methods include (a) creative team use of video equipment and oth er expressive media and (b) lessons about media literacy (i.e., making crit ical choices about images and activities depicted in popular culture and co mmercials). Outcome measures with the cohort of fifth and sixth graders sup port the programs occupation-based philosophy. They show that students are more likely to experience themselves as building skills when engaged in act ivities that are both challenging and enjoyable. The students reported grea test engagement and enjoyment in activities that were creative, team-based, and involving media production. These same activities were correlated with increased self-esteem. The term direct cultural intervention is used to de scribe the application of occupational principles and critical perspectives to provide a population with conceptual tools and skills for interpreting and successfully navigating the social world.