In the Fall of 2004, after many years of discussion by adults in the City of Somerville, Massachusetts, the Somerville Youth Council started. For several months, a youth planning group met weekly to craft the mission of the council and the by-laws. There was a critical need to create a process to enable youth of the city to explore possible…

This report describes summer youth employment and training programs operated throughout Minnesota via the Service Delivery Area/Private Industry Council network. It provides a statistical profile of the young people served, program costs, and program outcomes. The report begins with statewide outcome information, including a statewide summary of…

This report is a description and analysis of the 4-H Community Resource Development Program (4-H/CRD). It is based on the proposition that youth activity can be motivated by the prospect of influencing community decisions and outcomes and that the subsequent related activity will be productive of participatory skills of lifelong value in an…

Afterschool programs often play an important role in promoting healthy lifestyles for youth. Many programs offer youth opportunities to engage in an array of organized physical activities such as softball, martial arts or ballet. Most programs also serve healthy afternoon snacks while emphasizing the value of a nutritious diet. Physical fitness…

In January 2004, the National Collaboration for Youth approved a list of core competencies needed by entry-level youth development workers for effective youth development practice. This chapter provides an overview of these competencies, explaining why and how the list was created, outcomes, and recommendations for next steps. (Contains 13 notes.)

In a year long study of youth employment, interviews were conducted with 3,130 young people aged 14 to 21 from urban, suburban, and rural areas of New York State. Peer interviewers were employed for data collection. Data were gathered on the youths' employment-related characteristics, socio-economic backgrounds, aspirations, attitudes toward work…

A working party of the Northern Ireland Department of Education has proposed a deluxe version of the Youth Opportunities Programme for the province, to reorganize secondary education and insure the right to continuous education or job training with full financial support up to age 18. (Author/SJL)

This article considers the proposed federal Youth Education and Employment Initiative which targets federal funds to those high schools with the lowest achievement and highest poverty levels, to help build work experience programs and to upgrade student skills. New Jersey Education Association recommendations on secondary curriculum improvement…

The distribution and magnitude of youth employment problems differ significantly from those of older workers. Three attempted solutions are examined: youth employment and training programs (CETA, YEDPA, etc.), student assistance for financing higher education, and voluntary service programs supported by ACTION. Data on youth employment and…

Describes a needs assessment of public library services for young people in Berkeley, California, that resulted in the development of a training position for high school students at the Berkeley Public Library. Highlights include the assessment process, creating a service plan, youth at risk, and a job description of the training position. (SLW)

The first ten New York City Beacons began operation in 1991 as a result of the recommendation of a commission appointed by then-mayor David N. Dinkins. Richard Murphy, commissioner of youth services, led the development and implementation. Michele Cahill served as a consultant in the design and created the Youth Development Institute (YDI) as part…

This manual describes Teens As Community Resources, Incorporated (TCR) in Boston (Massachusetts) for those interested in how to start youth-run philanthropic efforts, using a peer leadership model or for those wanting to incorporate youth leadership and empowerment in a youth services organization. The introduction provides a brief description of…

The autumn 2002 term at the Eden Project was a roller-coaster ride of multicultural celebration and a fantastic lesson in the power of young people to take practical action in addressing issues that affect their communities on a local and global scale. From Cornwall to India--global links provide valuable insights and opportunities for active…

A pioneer effort when passed as a bipartisan bill into legislation in 1991, California's Healthy Start initiative now stands out as a promising model for the emerging community school movement. Healthy Start is intended to bring "comprehensive, integrated, supports and services" to California's most disadvantaged K-12 students and…

In response to the escalation of violent crime among youth in Knoxville, Tennessee, two partnerships have been developed by Pellissippi State Technical Community College (PSTCC), a university and the K-12 system in the Greater Knoxville area, and community leaders to provide non-violent alternatives for youth. The first effort, the annual Greater…