As defined by critical theorists, critical multicultural education requires the development of a critical consciousness ("conscientization"). The elements of critical consciousness include dialogue, problemposing, and the exploration of generative themes such as race, class, and gender. The formation of a partnership between university students…

This brief article describes the impact Aaron Coutu has had on the teens at the Greenville Public Library in Rhode Island. Coutu has gotten on the good side of many of the teens in the library since he is willing to undergo various personal humiliations, like shaving his head if they read 150 books (they read 196) or dyeing his hair green if they…

One of the major challenges facing youth workers today is the development of programs and services that are meaningful and relevant and that promote in young people a sense of responsibility for their learning and personal growth. In order to more adequately develop youth programming that will attract and challenge a greater portion of youths,…

Historically, the collaborative efforts between rural teachers and 4-H have provided enhanced opportunities for youth that would not have been otherwise possible. As resources continue to diminish in rural communities, this collaboration is valuable to both schools and the 4-H organization. Currently rural schools are concentrating on the…

Based on her experiences working with various organizations to develop strategies to support young people and strengthen communities, Ms. Wheeler answers our questions on involving youth in leadership positions.

A logic model, also called a conceptual model and theory-of-change model, is a visual representation of how a program is expected to "work." It relates resources, activities, and the intended changes or impacts that a program is expected to create. Typically, logic models are diagrams or flow charts with illustrations, text, and arrows that…

Community partnerships are the cornerstone of some of the most successful afterschool programs. For example, the average afterschool program funded by a 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) grant leverages resources through relationships with at least six local organizations. Higher education institutions are one of the most…

The most critical aspect of the youth-led community work of Community IMPACT! is that it is location-specific. The youth leaders, who work with the organization, generally live, work, and go to school in a community of high crime, failing schools, poverty, and practically no economic infrastructure. For American youth, and presumably other at-risk…

The Family Economics and Financial Education Project (FEFE) began in 2001 at Montana State University with an annual grant from Take Charge America, Inc., a credit counseling and debt management company headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. FEFE's mission is to provide educators with curriculum materials and training to be effective teachers of…

The term "sports-based youth development programs" is coined and defined in the context of the community youth development framework. Sports-based youth development programs are out-of-school-time programs that use a particular sport to facilitate learning and life skill development in youth. Community youth development programs use a community…

This article describes the Leave Out Violence (LOVE) program, which was founded in 1993 by Twinkle Rudberg many years after her husband's murder by a fourteen-year-old mugger in downtown Montreal. Realizing that the young person responsible for taking her husband's life was also a victim of violence, Rudberg was inspired to create a violence…

Children of immigrants are an important and growing part of American society, and they have an increasingly vital role to play in the future of this country. Those arriving in the U.S. as immigrants or refugees, as well as those born here to at least one immigrant parent, currently make up more than 20% of all children and youth in this country.…

The growing interest in youth development, prevention, and assessment has challenged professional practices relative to the design, implementation, and evaluation of youth development programs. This article sheds light on the need for continuous training and staff development in the areas of program development and documentation, using the…

Major strides have been made in the field of youth development. However, youth transitioning into adulthood have not received similar attention. These older youth have frequently been overlooked by policymakers and practitioners who have been more focused on designing programs and services for adolescents and young children. Because older youth…

Although widely available, little is known about the effectiveness of youth cessation treatments delivered in real-world settings. The authors recruited a nonprobability sample of 41 community-based group-format programs that treated at least 15 youth per year and included evidence-based treatment components. Data collection included longitudinal…