Previous studies offer evidence that U.S. public and private high schools differentially influence volunteerism in adolescence. However, these studies are typically cross-sectional and only consider whether the individual volunteered or not. We address patterns of volunteering from adolescence into adulthood and the kind of volunteering activity…

In 1997, Samsung received an $80 million tax abatement to build a plant in Austin, Texas amid the promise of "high paying jobs." People were excited about the company coming to town and there was great buzz, but then they learned that most of the jobs would pay minimum wage. At a meeting of non-profits gathered to learn more about the…

Communities disproportionately affected from higher rates of unplanned teen births are in need of sustainable approaches to prevention strategies. One approach is to build the capacity of faith-based communities (FBCs) to address the sexual health needs of the surrounding community. However there is a need for comprehensive, user-friendly…

This article reviews the role of faith- and community-based organizations in providing comprehensive sexuality education for adolescents in the United States. To gather information about these organizations, a broad approach was used that included a formal literature review, systematic searches through organizational Web sites, and the convening…

Although Mexican immigrants constitute the majority of the Latino population in the United States, in New England they are a growing minority contributing to the economic, social, and cultural development of the area. Using in-depth interviews of leaders of Mexican organizations in New England, and anecdotal, historical, and Internet data, this…

Oakland Community Organizations (OCO) has worked for over ten years to improve educational opportunities in low-income neighborhoods in Oakland, California. The work of thousands of parent, teacher, youth, and community leaders has resulted in the formation of nearly fifty new small schools and more than ten charters, creating settings for…

Mentoring programs attempt to foster a relationship that is too often missing from the lives of disadvantaged children and youth. However, in view of both the power and the limitations of mentoring programs, it is important to understand how mentoring occurs naturally. Assuming an ecological perspective, we examine mentoring in four contexts:…

Since 1991, the number of school district/faith-based organization partnerships jumped from 3 to 40 percent, promoted by President Clinton and the federally funded 21st Century Community Learning Centers initiative. Keys to success are identified, and programs, benefits, and problems in three large urban districts are profiled. (MLH)