The Bottom Two Percent: Using Positive Psychology to Create Change Among Convicts

We can turn convicted individuals into thriving members of the community. An empowering approach with the convicted will improve rehabilitative outcomes by creating behavior change. There exists a model that successfully rehabilitates the convicted by teaching the skills necessary to reenter society. This capstone uses the Delancey Foundation as a case study of this model. Delancey provides housing, job training, and education to convicts, addicts, and the homeless. Delancey uses social entrepreneurship and peer mentorship to empower residents. This capstone uses the research of positive psychology to demonstrate how Delancey converts takers into givers using peer mentorship, which develops the major components of human well-being described in Seligman’s PERMA model. Increased PERMA generates the conditions for convicts to thrive, ultimately becoming contributing members of society. This capstone makes formal recommendations for the replication of the Delancey model

Midland: A Positive Community by Design

This community project aims to improve the well-being of those who live and work in Midland, Michigan by improving the quality of relationships in the community. We use the galvanizing framework of a campaign which focuses on creating high quality connections in the community for everyone and to end loneliness (Project Zero: Nobody with Nobody). Using a multi-phase implementation plan, this campaign begins with the creation of a wellbeing committee and three micro-interventions: goal mapping, a psychological safety exercise, and one-on-one discussions called “Local Cafes.” These interventions draw on the power of high quality connections and positive emotions to support sustainable and positive community change. Each intervention has a step-by-step guide included for ease of application. From these initial interventions, we recommend that World Café discussions be held in the community which would eventually inform an Appreciative Inquiry Summit with the entire community. We hope that this process can be used not only as template for Midland but for other communities around the world who want to enhance the quality of their relationships