Positive Youth Development: UAY's Philosophy

Providing Youth with opportunites:

Why This Approach?

The Positive Youth Development approach suggests that helping young people to achieve their full potential is the best way to prevent them from engaging in risky behaviors.

Organizations and communities that promote Positive Youth Development give youth the chance to exercise leadership, build skills, and get involved. The self-confidence, trust, and practical knowledge that young people gain from these opportunities help them grow into healthy, happy, self-sufficient adults.

UAY Programs Which Foster Positive Youth Development

Research Findings

The nonpartisan National Academy of Sciences conducted a 2-year study to find out how effective community-level programs are at helping youth. The resulting report, Community Programs To Promote Youth Development (2002) concluded:

“adolescents who spend time in communities that are rich in developmental opportunities . . . experience less risk and show evidence of higher rates of positive development.”

The report also recommended that each community offer a variety of activities to accommodate the different interests and abilities of young people.

A Role For Everyone:

• Neighborhood leaders and community members can involve young people in measuring how well the community supports youth, and then work together to improve services.
• Policymakers can engage youth in discussions about policies that affect them.
• Business leaders can teach young people the skills they will need for successful employment. Youth service organizations can encourage youth participation in every aspect of their work.
• Members of the media can help give young people outlets for expressing their views.
• Medical care providers can engage adolescent treatment recipients in service to others, for instance, as peer educators.
• Teachers and school administrators can ensure that school policies, procedures, and teaching methods engage young people fully.
• Faith-based institutions can involve young people in community activities.
• Parents can strive to engage their children in positive activities that nurture their talents, skills, and interests.