About Building Villages, Inc
Building Villages, Inc believes that children learn better from other children than they do from adults. We also believe that younger children look up to older children as role models. This program uses a mentor style interaction between a high standing high school student from the same community and school system as a middle school student who is demonstrating unwanted behaviors. These students are typically identified by their school system and referred to Building Villages, Inc for participation. The students are interviewed to understand their interests and experiences. We also learn about the unwanted behaviors that are targeted for improvement. We instruct the high schooler on proper interpersonal skills, emotion regulation and expression. The students interact through both structured events and interactions as well as free time for rapport building.
All interactions are supervised by an experienced and trained Building Villages
staff member. All staff members are professionals in the community that have participated in and passed a
background check. Structured events may include, but are not limited to (underdevelopment)
Vision Statement
To eliminate interpersonal violence from the homes and lives of children.
Purpose
To teach children how they can express themselves positively, to support children as they experience challenging emotions and interactions, and to help children struggling with their environments to learn their value in society so they can choose positive behaviors.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to build the villages children need to navigate childhood emotions and interactions using research and experience. Each child's village helps them learn how to express themselves positively, to use inner strengths to be their true self, and to seek happiness across all environments.
Our Services
Safety assessment: We offer a safety assessment to anyone who feels they have been the victim of bullying/mistreatment by another person. The person who feels victimized would require another person present with them to attend the assessment. We evaluate the safety of the victim, create a safety plan, and provided information to both parties should they need further assistance.
Behavior modification: This is a mentor style interaction between a high standing high school student (mentor) from the same community and school system as a middle school student (mentee) who is demonstrating unwanted behavior. These students are typically identified by their school and referred to Building Villages, Inc for participation. The students are interviewed to understand their interests and experiences. We learn about the unwanted behaviors that are targeted for improvement. We instruct the mentor in proper interpersonal skills, emotion regulation and expression, and any other necessary skills to help with the behavior improvements.
The students interact through structured events and interactions as well as free time for rapport and relationship building. All interactions are supervised by an experienced and trained Building Villages, Inc staff member. All staff members are professionals in the community that have participated in and passed a background check.
Meet The Team
Steve Pinette has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from William Peace University, and a Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Nevada, Reno. Since 2020, Steve has worked as a clinical social work associate with One80 counseling in Garner, NC. He is a father of six sons and the oldest of five siblings. He has personally experienced intense bullying starting in fifth grade being chased home from school daily, thrown - literally - around the playground at recess, and humiliated in front of classmates for nearly two years by three peers. These memories, combined with experience and education, have motivated Steve to change the way bullies are viewed and treated. Punishment based interventions do not change behavior!
Building Villages is a team of people who believe every child wants to be recognized for their goodness. We help children feel confident enough to recognize and express their greatness