Abstract
This study explores how instructional communication functions in a small community organization whose objective it is to pull youth out of the school-to-prison pipeline. The group consists of adult participants (ex-convicts, former correctional officers, social workers, former gang members, and former youth participants), and youth participants who are struggling with gangs, drugs or other social issues. This study consists of participant interviews and ethnographic observation of a group session. Interviews produced themes that indicate when communication is working, and the session observation presented events that indicate those themes in action. Data triangulation resulted in a glossary of theme definitions, which will be useful to future studies.