youth development

A Youth Development Approach

Youth Development is a process by which all young people seek to meet their basic physical and social needs and build competencies (knowledge and skills) necessary to succeed in adolescence and into adulthood.  The youth development approach:

• Is youth centered.

• Is founded in meaningful youth participation in ways that impact their development.

• Is asset-based, versus deficit-focused.

• Focuses on positive youth results.

• Emphasizes and values caring relationships between youth and adults as a key mechanism for building success in youth and communities.

• Involves the whole community.

Positive Youth Development Frameworks

There are different models and tools to help understand the importance of engaging youth in meaningful ways while providing them with quality supports and resources in a healthy environment.

• Download An Overview of Youth Development Frameworks.

MADD and SADD in Massachusetts

Get involved with local groups like MADD and SADD who do trainings and provide support for adults and youth who want to make youth empowerment part of their substance abuse prevention and education work.

• Youth in Action: Underage Drinking Prevention - Changing the Environment
  MADD Massachusetts has formed an exciting new partnership to assist communities in preventing underage drinking using environmental strategies. Youth in Action involves teams of adults and youth who look for community solutions to underage drinking. Teams focus on laws and policies that affect people's behavior because that's the best place to make changes.  Find out more about Youth in Action. and contact MADD Massachusetts for more info.
   
• SADD, Students Against Destructive Decisions
  There are lots of great SADD resources, e-newsletter, funding opportunities and trainings offered in Massachusetts. Visit the local web site for more info at SADD Massachusetts or contact Tiffany Corey at Massachusetts SADD at 877-SADD-INC or tcorey@sadd.org.