How often do you feel as if you are truly being listened to? With the invention of cell phones and the Internet, sitting in front of another person and engaging in meaningful dialogue is becoming an extinct art form. 85% of what we know, we learn from listening—yet we spend only 45% of our time listening, and we only remember 20% of what we hear. Most of the incarcerated teens in the juvenile justice system simply want someone to listen to them. But needing to be listened to without judgment is something everyone on this planet needs.
Did you know that less than 2% of us have ever had formal education on how to listen? ARISE is out to change that. Inspired by a program called “The Listening Post,” created by Dr. Mabel Barth of Denver, Colorado, ARISE set out to create a program to teach people, especially those that work with at-risk youth, how to become nonjudgmental listeners.
I’m Listening is a four-hour training workshop that teaches you how to set up an “I’m Listening” table, listen without judgment or interruption and give the speaker vital feedback to let them know you are invested in what they have to say. I’m Listening is not about counseling or advice—it’s simply about listening. Period.