youth-adult partnership Archives

Fashion Forward Kinspire showed me my future was possible: The people and principles behind it

For youth in kinship care, Fashion Forward Kinspire builds confidence and creative careers — told by a student, mentor and founder.

When the plan fails, change the plan_feature: graphic illustration of paper airplane labeled "Plan A" crashing to ground while rocket ship labeled "Plan B" lifts off

529

Opinion

When the plan fails, change the plan

What if the plan is the problem, not the young person? Five field leaders make the case for asking youth why —...

Sad youth, sad student, juvenile justice, school-to-prison pipeline: Sad Black preteen girl with long braids in red shirt and blue jeans sitting on windowsill.

767

Opinion

The students we stop counting: Education, incarceration and the children left behind

South Carolina's school-to-prison pipeline, how the systems create a cycle of failure instead of support — and five solutions.

People want to help youth who are brave enough to be different_feature: young Asian woman crouches next to buckets with mushrooms growing out of them

773

From the Field

People want to help youth who are brave enough to be different

My experience with Fungi For Future has shown me that when young leaders pursue what excites them, community support often follows.

A flashlight on the life spaces of young people_feature: graphic of young woman walking up stairs while shining flashlight

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Opinion

A flashlight on the life spaces of young people

Community youth surveys can illuminate where opportunities are plentiful, uneven or missing across the developmental ecosystem.

The boys we forgot to see-What working inside juvenile hall taught me about complex care_feature: young black teen standing in dark room in juvenile detention with other in background

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From the Field

The boys we forgot to see: What working inside juvenile hall taught me about complex care

Complex care requires adults to see the whole person, not merely the behavior, diagnosis, charge or file.

Exploring the trust gap-An open invitation_feature: Trust word written on wooden block. Building trust business concept.

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Opinion

Exploring the trust gap: An open invitation

While we always ask youth to trust adults, young people must be recognized for their abilities and have that trust returned with...

Emotional isolation of boys, The boys we’re losing-and the prevention we’re missing_feature: group of young men and boys on a hike

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Opinion

The boys we’re losing — and the prevention we’re missing

The emotional isolation of boys is shaped by long-standing norms that reward suppression and discourage vulnerability.

Youth development’s missing link-Intergenerational connection _feature: group photo of young and old people together

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From the Field

Youth development’s missing link? Intergenerational connection

Intergenerational connection allows older adults to have companionship that matters and for youth to build genuine connections.

What kind of developmental environments help young people become fully human_feature: group of young people in classroom after hours talking to educator

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Opinion

What kind of environments help young people become fully human?

Thriving emerges from developmental environments and relationships that help young people make meaning.

Nearly 200 student stories reveal what AI can’t replace- developmental Relationship _feature: white woman with glasses helps young girl with classwork

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Opinion

Nearly 200 student stories reveal what AI can’t replace: Relationships

Students are making it clear that AI cannot replace a human developmental relationship.

positive youth development, youth mentoring, community-based mentoring program report: black teen male and mentor talking and laughing on bleachers

1.8K

From the Field

The missing dimension of positive youth development: What it requires of adults

The positive youth development field has rethought the role of young people in the work, but not the adults.

Five shifts that would change everything_feature: black teenage girl speaks with black female adult

1.9K

Opinion

Five shifts that would change everything

A podcast discusses five concrete changes that can be made in any youth development setting.

On developmental relationships _feature: black coach or mentor and white male student sit on bleachers and talk

1.4K

From the Field

On developmental relationships

Katherine Plog Martinez speaks with Gene Roehlkepartain on how strong developmental relationships are the "active ingredient" in successful youth programs.

Coaching not correction_The shift youth serving systems need to build real leaders_feature: male educator/mentor helping two girls with STEM project

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From the Field

Coaching, not correction: The shift youth-serving systems need to build real leaders

You can’t correct a kid into leadership. Adolescents develop youth leadership through environments that support autonomy, belonging and skill-building.