Quiz Score

Youth Engagement Basics 2

https://media4.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExNng1c3loNTdqdXZvNGRlZmFzd3BtbHdqNnc2OG1waDN2Ymt5cm94cCZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/givEULCOEAe4e0ET6o/giphy.gif

Well, there are different ways it can look, and a couple of handy models can help us understand:

Click on the one that you want to explore.


The Youth Engagement Spectrum

At one end of the rainbow, you find young people participating in programs that adults have already created.

https://media4.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExaTdkdGphczh4ZGI1d3hxZmZxb3VrZW52dTgzang5bnpuYTdldTUyOSZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/RKApDdwsQ6jkwd6RNn/giphy.gif

Next, young people are asked to take on specific tasks on behalf of the organization.

https://media3.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExejNuc3g3Mm5kdGhmY3MwMTBnOTM1cXp3dDFiM3ZiaWNtc2h5dG9xcyZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/L4fB9di7ekn3F5PXaW/giphy.gif

As you move along, youth take on more responsibility. They might advise adults, serve on committees, or even lead their own projects and organizations.


https://media4.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExN2tnang1MWJ0YXplc2doOTZqdjJxZHd1ZHg1Z2w3MHcwcXUwdzFraCZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/llfhH2Kxl8WqHs8auC/giphy.gif

Click to see the examples

Hart's Ladder

Picture a ladder with different rungs


Youth don't know how to share their ideas and engage in community's conversations. 

Adults may be reluctant to share decision-making power and cultural barriers may exist.

There is no organizational commitment to engaging youth.

There is no investment in youth's long-term skill development or long-term support.

Youth are sometimes seen as a cheap source of labor, often brought in as volunteers without gaining meaningful development or engagement opportunities.

Youth Engagement Basics 2

Do you know how youth engagement actually works?