Community Youth Development

A Definition of Community Youth Development

Community youth development is defined, then, as an integration of youth development and community development. Community youth development comprises four parts: (1) the natural unfolding of the potential inherent in the human organism in relation to the challenges and supports of the physical and social environment; (2) a commitment to enabling all young people to achieve their potential—characterized by a positive, asset-building orientation that builds on strengths and also addresses specific problems faced by some youth (e.g., substance abuse, involvement in violence, and premature parenthood); (3) programs and organizations that employ a planned set of activities that foster young people's growing capacities; and (4) fully engaging youth as full contributors in problem solving for the community through employment of the skills and competencies they are developing (Lerner, 2002; Perkins, Borden, & Villarruel, 2001).

Community youth development is a step beyond prevention. It is a process by which youth's developmental needs are met, their engagement in problem behaviors is prevented, and, most important, youth are empowered to build the competencies and skills needed to become healthy, contributing citizens, now and as adults. From a medical perspective, community youth development can be compared with individuals taking active roles in their health, by getting an immunization shot, strengthening the body through physically appropriate exercise and dietary actions, and shaping their environment to support them with those endeavors (Perkins et al., 2003).

The goals of community youth development involve what Lerner (2002) has identified as “the Five Cs.” These include (1) competence in academics, social, emotional, and vocational; (2) confidence in who one is becoming (identity); (3) connection to self and others; (4) character that comes from positive values, integrity, and a strong sense of morals; (5) caring and compassion. However, from a community youth development perspective, there is a “sixth C,” contribution (Pittman, 2000), or “sense of mattering” (National Research Council & Institute of Medicine, 2002). Through contributing to their families, neighborhoods, and communities, youth develop a sense of mattering and continue contributing. Moreover, opportunities to contribute give youth practical occasions to make use of the other “Five Cs.” Indeed, young people who have grown up in communities that promote their positive development have a better understanding of their own values, often become lifelong learners, are actively engaged in their communities, and are more likely to promote the positive well-being of other young people (Blyth & Leffert, 1995; McLaughlin, 2000). The importance of mattering is described in Community Programs to Promote Youth

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