|
|
|
|
|
| Key Characteristics of Youth Development Programs |
Youth development is an intentional process that helps young people
build attributes and skills needed to participate successfully in
adolescence and adult life. Youth development programs approach
young people as active agents of their own change, with inherent
strengths and skills to be developed and nurtured. Whether using
the arts, humanities or sciences in such programs, certain characteristics
are essential in any youth development program.
Effective youth
development programs:
- Provide safe
and healthy youth spaces.
In addition to attending to basic food, shelter, and physical and
mental healthcare needs, effective youth development programs develop
environments in which young people feel protected, nurtured and
secure. (For example, specifying clear ground rules; full procedures
for dealing with emergencies; comfortable facilities; and activities
that foster mutual trust and respect; etc.)
- Are assets-based.
Instead of seeing troubled youths as “problems in need of
fixing” or “recipients of services,” successful
youth development programs see young people as “partners in
learning” and “resources in the community.” By
identifying and building upon pre-existing strengths, these programs
extend their vision to the full, healthy development of all youth.
(Examples of such “assets-based” programming include
activities that uncover youth talent and expertise; skill-building
projects; and community service, entrepreneurial, and part-time
job opportunities; etc.)
- Foster the development
of positive relationships and social skills.
Youth development programs enable young people to develop stable
relationships with caring and professional adult mentors and role models. They also offer
opportunities for youths to engage in positive interactions with
their peers. (Successful programs may include community- and team-building
activities; one-on-one time with adult leaders; rituals that promote
a sense of belonging; etc.)
- Are youth-driven.
In successful youth development programs, youths become agents of
their own development. With guidance from adults, the young people
set and monitor personal goals. By choosing to participate in all
levels of program design, administration, and evaluation, they take
on leadership roles and develop a sense of ownership, investment,
responsibility, independence and initiative. (In successful programs,
youth have a significant voice in shaping their projects, the program
and when appropriate, the organization; youths have involvement
in decision-making; opportunities exist for youths to partner with
adults; etc.)
- Set high expectations
for growth and learning.
Effective youth development programs encourage young people to take
risks within a supportive
environment. They offer rigorous skill-building instruction, require
youths to commit to high but realistic levels of time and effort,
and provide the resources to ensure success. Young people take chances,
explore the unfamiliar, and push themselves to new levels of achievement.
Culminating activities, such as final performances, exhibitions,
readings, etc. create “safe opportunities” by challenging
youths to meet goals, adhere to timelines, and create products they
are proud to share with audiences. (For example, effective programs
include activities that build competencies in the arts, humanities
or sciences; provide clear expectations; strong, consistent, and
professional adult instruction and guidance.)
- Address the
broader context in which youth development operates.
Youth development programs cannot effect change by providing programming
in isolation; therefore successful programs are holistic and inclusive.
They respond to the larger context in which they function by recognizing
all the needs of the young people they serve and by integrating
their efforts with other providers to create a coordinated community
response to those needs. (Examples include a collaborative base
of planning; shared support of the young people with families and
community organizations; activities that deal with local, national,
global, and historical issues; etc.)
|
|
|
