After reading Costello’s (2001) view on Primary Supports,
when looking at Youth Development programs, it is important to address the
concerns of the youth of today. The concerns of the youth from the past are
much different than what affects the youth of today. The organizations that run
these programs must bring new ideas and diversity to make these programs
successful. To begin with, we must open our ears and listen (I mean really
listen) to our youth. We must give them a voice on what concerns them in their
everyday life and we must provide them with the needs to survive. We need to
find out what their expectations are within the program and bring both young
and old to the table. By doing this, it allows us to share ideas and also ways
to meet the expectations within the program.
Organizations like 4-H and the BoyScouts, which are programs that have been around forever, may not meet the
concerns or the needs of our youth in today’s world. Our communities differ
depending on what town you live in. If you are from the inner-city, many of these
young people have no idea what 4-H stands for or let alone even have a program
available to them. Their purpose in life is just trying to survive life on the
streets. Programs in these areas need to address their concerns and their
safety. Organizations or youth programs need to first build a trust and build
upon and provide services which include instructions, goals, and social skills
that help build character for our youth. It is also important to give them a
vision to their future. This could be provided by organizations having sponsors
that are willing to give them an insight to prospective job opportunities for
their future.
I definitely agree with Brittney's statements that organization need to reflect the demographic or else they won’t succeed. I come from a town in the woods and there are a lot of farms in the community. We had a group called the FFA (Future Farmers of America) which I was in but once I came to RIC no one knew what that was because it wasn't something that would make sense in a city.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Brittney! Children come from all different walks of life! In order to accommodate different cultures and voices in our society we really need to listen to what the youth want. Organizations can run these programs successfully by making them more diverse. Tailoring an organization to what a child needs to live a healthy and safe life will help society to see that they too have a voice and needs that are important.
ReplyDeleteI to agree with your post. Children are so different and each community they come from is different as well. Because of this programs and organizations need to be designed to meet the needs of the youth in their communities.
ReplyDelete"we must open our ears and listen (I mean really listen) to our youth". I agree with this completely! We need to take into consideration what youth are saying to us, we need to really listen as you said. Understanding where they are coming from when they give their ideas and opinions will be extremely helpful while working with them.
ReplyDeleteI feel that it is important to base programs and activities around the needs of the youth in your community. I like how you mention that we have to listen to our youth because that will definitely help
ReplyDelete