No child should be born into poverty, but as we know all too well, millions are. In New York City, nearly one out of every three children is poor. It is the city's highest rate of child poverty in three decades. Poverty is more complex than the lack of financial resources--the most vulnerable children often lack access to adequate food, shelter,…

Only 8 percent of children born into poverty graduate from college by the age of 25. Consider what that means for the estimated 500,000 New York City kids living in poverty. It is a fact: The better educated a person is, the better her chances of upward mobility. So when fewer than one in 10 children born into poverty reach their academic…

A wave of youth violence in America is hitting African American communities hard. This report highlights some efforts across the country to prevent and stop youth violence. People in Oakland (California), Pine Bluff (Arkansas), and Washington, D.C. were asked about youth violence in their communities. Of the adults surveyed, 77% were afraid that…

In the slums of Medellin, Colombia, a program seeks to improve children's physical health, intellectual development, and self-concept through such activities as carpentry, breadmaking, and sports and literature clubs. These activities help develop ethical and moral values, planning and organizing skills, and a future orientation. (SK)

This study of youth development opportunities for youth aged 7 to 14 years in Minneapolis (Minnesota) involved three phases completed between 1994 and 1995. Planning and information gathering involved interviews with 60 program providers and key informants from youth programs. A written survey of 187 program providers assesses perceived barriers…

What are the common tasks facing cities committed to saturating their city with high quality out-of-school opportunities, available to every young person? While no list is definitive or complete, we identify ten critical tasks. (Background and Contact information is appended. Contains 5 footnotes and 9 figures.)

The authors provide examples of sports-based youth development programs and offer information about program mission and vision, program design and content, evaluation results, and program sustainability. The four sports-based youth development programs presented are Harlem RBI, Tenacity, Snowsports Outreach Society, and Hoops & Leaders…

This report provides program funders and providers with an overview of what children and adolescents need to be successful and grow up healthy, and it examines the role of youth programs in healthy development. It presents a review of effective programming, the relevant literature on youth outcomes, and ideas and suggestions for evaluating…

This digest briefly discusses some ways to involve families in their children's drug prevention education. Helping children and teenagers stay away from drugs and those who use and sell drugs is an important job in which parents and other close relatives play the most important role. Because youth experiment with drugs for the same reasons they…

The Oakland (California) Explorers is a program to help children learn about the city. The project is part of a long-term effort by the Junior Center for Art and Science to make Oakland a better place for children to be raised. Project goals are to create the following: (1) a living museum of Oakland that will include children and adolescents in…

Research has shown that no treatment program designed for street children can succeed unless the community is prepared to respect, protect, and provide opportunities for them. Investigates why the general public, and those charged with enforcing the law, often treat street children with scorn and hostility. (Author/GCP)

Presented in this book are studies of social projects for economically disadvantaged inner-city youth engaged in neighborhood revitalizations in low-income communities around the country. Children and teens are highlighted as they participate in nonschool initiatives to achieve economic and political self-determination coupled with personal…

This report documents arts and humanities programs in communities across the country that offer opportunities for children and youth to learn new skills, expand their horizons, and develop self-esteem and well-being. The report describes the variety and vitality of arts and programs humanities programs for children and youth and common…

This descriptive study examines the operation of youth mentoring programs in New York City. In particular, the study maps the experiences of developing and operating youth mentoring programs as articulated by the organizers or directors of 21 such programs; reviews and analyzes the research and descriptions of mentoring programs nationally to…

As required by law, state education agencies receiving funds under the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act submitted reports on the number and location of homeless children and youth in their states to the U.S. Department of Education. These reports also include data on the nature and extent of problems of access to education and student…