Youth Engaged in Service
Fostering youth development through service
One part of a well-rounded approach
Young people thrive when they're supported by all sectors of the community- individuals, family, schools, youth agencies, business, governmental agencies, and community and faith-based organizations. This is the key philosophy of youth development. Youth development researchers identify five key traits as very important for youth to develop into healthy and successful adults. These attributes are known as "The Five Cs of Youth Development":
- Competence—A positive view of one's skills and abilities
- Confidence—The internal sense of positive self-worth, identity, and belief in the future
- Connection—Positive bonds with people and institutions (such as peers, family, school and community) that provide a sense of membership, safety, and belonging
- Character—Recognition of societal and cultural rules; a sense of responsibility and accountability for one's actions, personal values, spirituality, and integrity
- Compassion—A sense of sympathy and empathy for others, leading to a desire to contribute
The voice of experience…
"Make sure your adult volunteer coordinators really understand what service-learning is and allow youth to take control before they start a project."
—Tracey Allen-Ehrhart, Camp Fire USA Heartland Council, Prairie Village, KS
Volunteering can help youth develop each of the "Five Cs": learning new skills, building supportive relationships with adults, gaining a sense of accomplishment, and seeing how their actions positively impact others. A youth development approach to working with young people often means "un-learning" traditional ways of doing things.
For related grant opportunities, visit http://www.servicelearning.org/instant_info/hot_topics/funding/index.php?search_term=funding
| Adult-Centered Approach | Youth Development Approach | In a Service-Learning Context |
|---|---|---|
| Telling | Coaching and modeling | Listening to youth concerns |
| Adult knows everything | Young person explores | Youth identify community assets and needs |
| Privacy/isolation | Collaboration between youth and adults | Youth examine diverse views in community |
| Doing things the "same old way" | Taking a creative approach to projects and issues | Adults help youth address problems that matter to them |
| "Because I said so!" | Meaningful dialogue with youth about the issues that are important to them | Youth reflect on community issues and adjust their project as needed |
| Adults in charge | Youth in the driver's seat... | ...throughout the project |
Go back to » Why engage all youth in service
