Pa’lante’s work centers around two core practices: indigenous circle practice and youth participatory action research.

Circle Practice

Youth leaders use circle practice to support our communities to address harm, grieve, solve problems, heal from trauma and oppression, as well as to celebrate victories. We have been very fortunate to develop our approach under the ongoing mentorship of Dr. Sayra Owens Pinto, who grounds her model in indigenous governance practices, the fields of organizational development, leadership development, Critical Race Theory, indigenous theories, Black Feminist Thought, and popular education.

Youth Participatory Action Research

In addition to hosting circles, Pa’lante youth design a Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) project each year, where they engage in critical action research to address a problem that is relevant to their lived experience. For example, students used their research as the foundation of a campaign to transform Holyoke High School’s In-House Suspension Room into a Student Support Room, which is staffed by Peer Leaders, therapist interns, and a full-time coordinator.

the Young Lords

The name Pa’lante is a reference to the Young Lords, who were a group of young people of color, primarily Puerto Ricans, who worked to address racism, police injustice, poor health care, and tenants’ rights in in the sixties and seventies. Their legacy reminds us that anything is possible when young people of color organize for change. “Pa’lante”, which means “moving forward!”, was the name of Young Lords’ newspaper.

Finally, Pa’lante gets involved in all kinds of other work relevant to our mission!

Youth Leadership

We believe in young people’s inherent wisdom and  power, and in their capacity to envision and create the conditions they need to thrive. We value intergenerational solidarity, sharing power, and supporting youth to lead in every aspect of the organization.

Healing

We strive to create a culture of healing and transformation for ourselves, our communities, our ancestors and future generations. We center accountability as we strive to repair, heal and transform both interpersonal and systemic harm.

Justice

We shift power to those most impacted by oppression, colonization, and the school to prison pipeline in our pursuit of justice. We uplift those pushed to the margins and address the root causes of suffering and harm in our communities.

Love

Love is at the heart of everything we do. Our work is driven by radical love for ourselves, our communities, and all young people. We center community care, authenticity, deep relationships, and a shared sense of belonging and home.

Honoring Native Languages

We honor our ancestors by speaking our native languages and embracing the history and culture they carry. We create accessible spaces that center marginalized languages, and encourage each other to offer translation and learn each others’ languages.

Joy/Fun

We reclaim joy and playfulness in a world that so often demands suffering and productivity. We play, laugh, and celebrate with a purpose – to learn, to heal, and to celebrate together.