 What
is a Youth Adult Partnership?
A Youth-Adult
Partnership encourages the voice of youth and their civic engagement
through positive community action. It works like this:
Youth
and adults form successful partnerships as they work together
in a community-based service project. The project is integrated
into an educational component of a service or outreach program
in which the youth are enrolled. Participation takes place in
a safe and inviting environment.
As
work on the service project proceeds, both parties have equal
potential to make decisions, use skills, and learn from one another.
The opinions, ideas, and perspectives of youth --though different
from those of adults--are valued and respected.
The
service task is linked to structured opportunities for youth to
engage in self-reflection, discovery, and the acquisition of values,
skills, and knowledge. The process of action and reflection allows
participants to achieve real objectives for their communities,
and deeper understanding and life skills for themselves.
What
are the Benefits?
Youth
The program:
- provides leadership
experience
- teaches the importance
of service to others
- promotes responsibility,
self esteem, personal development
- fosters a sense
of caring for others
- builds community
pride
- strengthens social
relationships
- challenges stereotypical
beliefs about adults
Research indicates
that students who engage in youth-adult partnership programs are
recognized as valuable resources by adults.
Adults
The program:
- can change adults'
perceptions of youth
- reveals the true
needs of youth
- demonstrates the
power of youth
- develops relationships
- promotes communication
with youth
Community
Communities can gain:
- new perspectives
on decision making, including more relevant information about
the needs and interests of youth
- open and honest
responses about the existing programs or services
- access to additional
human resources for solving community problems, due to the sharing
of responsibilities between youth and adults
- opportunities to
contribute to the educational process
- opportunities to
foster future community active community members
- greater willingness
by youth to accept the services and messages of the program
- greater credibility
of the program or organization to both youth and advocates
Do
Something Terrific for Your Community!
Request
an information packet today. Learn exactly how a Youth-Adult Partnership
works. You'll discover that it isn't complicated or time-consuming.
And you won't be acting alone.
A 4-H educator from
the ooperative Extension office in your county will work with
you. You'll receive guidance, support, and resources for:
- getting partners
- involving youth
- identifying a project
- collaborating with
community organizations
- implementing an
action plan
- evaluating results
If
you are ready to create a win-win opportunity for youth and adults
in your community, contact:
Nicole Webster
The Pennsylvania State University
323 Agricultural
Administration Building
University Park PA 16802-2601
Phone: 814-863-2695
E-mail: nsw10@psu.edu
|
