Rehabilitation of at-risk youth via educational nomadism program and development of place identity

Youth need support and mediation during the ongoing process of their maturation, especially at-risk youth who are characterized by a tendency towards escape patterns and avoid seeking help from formal simulations. This article deals with an innovative “educational nomadism” program for at-risk youth aged 14–19 that takes place at the Shepherd’s Farm. Our study, based on qualitative methods, including observations, semi-structured interviews, and analysis of official documents from the farm management, assumes the perspective of the youth to examine the key factors in the program that helped them change their worldview and desire for rehabilitation. The research findings point to two central factors that led to significant transformations in the rehabilitation process: the isolated physical environment and minimalist living conditions that characterized the farm, and the connection to a meaningful actor who guided them and gave them responsibility for a field of work on the farm. It turns out that cultivating a place identity and an emotional attachment to the farm allowed the youth to rebuild their confidence in their abilities, strengthen their sense of self and personal meaning, and promote their ability to develop a future orientation. This study showcases the effectiveness of “cultivating place identity” by bringing about change in the field of rehabilitation, which has not received sufficient attention to date.