Civic Youth Engagement

1
Civic Youth Engagement
2
Conversations on Youth Development

• Missouri Give youth a voice in policy and
  decision making at all levels
• United States Involve youth directly in
  creating policy and making decisions at all
  levels of government and society

3
Missouri 4-H CYE VISTA Goals

• 10 local VISTA projects
• 300 middle and high school age youth, low income
• 250 youth and adult volunteers, recruited and
  trained
• 30 communities

4
Missouri 4-H CYE VISTA Goals

• Growing commitments to youth/adult partnerships
• New and expanded structures for youth
  participation
• Better relationships between youth and adults

• Improved policy decisions affecting youth
• Increased citizen satisfaction with local
  government
• Youth with ongoing engagement in communities

5
Youth Adult Partnerships

• Not just what youth can be empowered to do
• Not just what adults can accomplish
• What youth and adults can do together that
  neither can do alone
• An invitation to youth and adults to become
  directly involved in community decision making
  and governance

6
Why Civic Youth Engagement?

• Involving Youth in Communities Benefits Everyone.

7
Youth and Adult Partnerships Benefit Organizations

• Youth speaking to other youth is effective.
• Youth can serve as effective program evaluators.
  They can collect data adults cant get.
• Youth volunteers can share work responsibilities
  and are an additional human resource.

• Young people can bring a unique perspective to
  decision making.
• Youths enthusiasm and creativity can bring new
  life to worn out services.
• When youth are involved in decision making they
  are more likely to accept the decision made.

8
Communities Benefit From Youth Involvement.

• When youth participate in community organizations
  they become more invested in the community.
• Needs not currently being met may be identified
  and remedied by by actively involving those for
  whom the services are designed.

• Youth involvement in positive, constructive
  activites reduces vandalism, builds positive
  community spirit, and a sense of community.
• The community benefits from the development of
  skilled leaders for tomorrow, and active,
  contributing community members today.

9
Meaningful Involvement Benefits Youth

• Youth experience a sense of belonging, usefulness
  and responsibility Helping others increases
  youths self-esteem.
• Youth learn about positive role models and career
  choices, and increase awareness adults face in
  decision making.
• Youth interact with people of different ages and
  backgrounds.

• Youth learn new skills and and gain community
  leadership experience.
• Youth increase their sense of control and ability
  to manage their lives in our ever changing
  communities.
• Seeing youth involved in meaningful roles helps
  other youth believe that they are valued by
  society.

10

• From Youth Volunteerism
• Citizens of the future
• Developing civic values
• As individual volunteers
• Doing service projects

• To Youth Civic Engagement
• Citizens today
• Developing civic skills and habits
• As young people working with others
• Doing public work

11
Youth Civic Engagement

• Performing community service
• Starting or joining community organizations
• Contacting public officials
• Doing community-based research
• Participating in decision-making

12
Local Entities Making Decisions That Affect Youth

• School boards
• Library boards
• City parks and recreation committees

• Community task forces
• County extension councils
• City councils