What Makes a Successful Youth Program?

What makes a successful youth program?
Jodie Roth and Jeanne Brooks-Gunn reviewed elements of positive youth development programs in a recent article in the Journal of Adolescent Health . They consist of three basic program categories: goals, atmosphere and activities.

Promoting positive youth development and encouraging healthy adolescence are primary goals for youth programs offered in out-of-school hours. Youth should feel they are in a caring, supporting community atmosphere of peers and adults and be involved in activities that provide opportunities to nurture their interests, talents, skills and give recognition. The three defining elements of positive youth development programs are highlighted below and could be used as a measuring stick to evaluate youth programs offered in your community.

• Program Goals
  Parents and caregivers should look for programs that have evidence of five defining characteristics known as the Five C's. They are competence, confidence, connections, character and caring. Competence promotes the enhancement of specific skills, either academic or hands-on. Confidence relates to self-esteem, and a sense of identity. The third C, connections, builds relationships between the youth and peers, teachers, parents, youth leaders and others in the community. Character refers to increased self-control, cultural development, spirituality, morality and a decrease in unhealthy behaviors. The fifth C, caring, targets youths' ability to understand and identify with others. The 4-H Youth Development program framework would add another C, contribution, which encompasses "making a difference in the lives of others through service."
  
  
• Program Atmosphere
  The quality of youth development programs also depends on atmosphere. Caregivers and volunteers' attitudes, behaviors and principles are an important factor in the success of the program. Roth and Brooks-Gunn describe atmosphere in five dimensions. First, atmosphere encourages development of supportive relationships with adults and among peers. Programs should also focus on empowering youth, or allowing youth to be involved in decisions so they believe they really can make a difference. There should be clear expectations for positive behavior and recognition for good behavior, or demonstrated success in a particular skill. Finally, youth programs must provide stable and relatively long-lasting services.
  
  Program Activities
  Successful youth development programs use the 5 C's (competence, confidence, connections, character, and caring) to achieve their goals. Programs should last for at least a school year to create a supportive, empowering environment, encourage youth to contribute to their community and ensure youth are recognized for their contributions. Finally, programs should foster opportunities to build and develop skills, talents, and positive activities to broaden their horizons.
  
  UNH Cooperative Extension's 4-H Youth Development program has examples of exemplary programs such as 4-H Clubs, and youth involvement in local community initiatives, but what of other examples in New Hampshire?
  
  One example is the New Heights-Adventures for Teens program in Portsmouth whose mission is "to assist youth to develop the competence, character, confidence, and resiliency necessary for a healthy and successful adulthood." Teens can hang out in the Teen Center from 11-4:30 pm (in the summertime), participate in an activity workshop, take part in fundraising and much more. Adventure trips include surfing, wilderness workshops, canoeing, white water rafting, and even urban adventures.
  
  Youth in grades 6-12 are welcomed as part of the New Heights activities with a staff/participant ratio of one to five or less. A one-day orientation welcomes new teens to the program. Another program in New Hampshire that reaches youth is Girls Inc., whose "prevention and empowerment" programs have been around for 30 years. Currently Girls Inc. serves girls in six locations, Nashua, Concord, Belmont, Manchester, Newport and Rochester. Programming is offered in after school, summer camp, and community outreach centers. Check their website to see the list of possibilities from Friendly PEERsuaion, the substance abuse prevention and education program; to Sporting Chance, development of basic athletic skills.
  
  Some communities have successful Youth to Youth programs. Youth to Youth, founded in Columbus, Ohio, in 1982, is a community-based program working to prevent adolescent alcohol, tobacco and drug use. It is primarily a youth leadership program with teens as the nucleus, working in partnership with adults to prevent substance use in their local community. The Dover Police Department provides an excellent example. What all these (and the many others in New Hampshire) have in common are well-defined program goals in a specific kind of atmosphere with activities that empower youth by enhancing talents and abilities.