Promoting Youth Development

What Can I Do? Increase Your Knowledge: Youth Development: What's It All About Adult Attitudes Toward Young People Take Action: Build a Youth Adult Partnership Take a Youth Participation Survey

How Does TNOYS Promote Youth Development?

Youth Development is a shift in thinking which challenges us to look at youth differently. Through the lens of Youth Development, youth are not “at risk,” or a set of problems to be fixed; rather they are resilient, resourceful people who can partner with adults in a joint effort to solve community problems.

TNOYS believes that youth-serving organizations play a critical role in promoting youth development, and that youth development happens most effectively when youth are empowered and involved at multiple levels. Those levels include self-advocacy, service provision, evaluation, agency governance, community development, and policy development. TNOYS helps youth agencies to explore new roles and approaches to engage in community youth development.

TNOYS designates two positions for youth on its Board of Directors; and the Board currently includes a third youth serving as a Community Representative. Youth involved in the Preparation for Adult Living Program participate regular in the development of the YO Youth Newsletter. Youth are actively involved as Peer Leaders in the PEAKS Adventure Program. Youth involvement is a key component in the Youth Express Project. TNOYS trainings and conferences promote youth involvement, and when possible include youth speakers and presenters. A new training curriculum entitled “Advancing Youth Development” introduces youth workers to a youth development approach and helps them apply these concepts in their day-to-day work. TNOYS also promotes youth development by organizing a “Youth in Action” at the bi-annual Children’s Advocacy Day, where youth are empowered to bring issues of concern to policy makers.

For more information on Youth Development, or for resources for youth, go to:

• Youth Programs - Section for Youth, includes internet resources for youth
• Youth in Action - Capitol Day
• Youth Development Internet Resources
• CYD Best Practices

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