Mobilizing Communities for Positive Youth Development: Lessons Learned from Neighborhood Groups and Community Coalitions

Abstract

This chapter highlights the research from neighborhood and community groups (e.g., coalitions) that suggest effective strategies and structures for mobilizing adults to promote positive youth development. The youth development movement contends that neighborhoods and communities should develop ongoing supports, opportunities, and services for youth to promote healthy development and positive behaviors. Simply avoiding risk-taking behaviors and related problems is not sufficient to lead to optimal development and productive young adults. In community settings where formal and informal leaders view youth development as a priority, strategies to ensure the integration of youth development principles and practices into community organizations and coalitions are critical for success. Neighborhoods and communities must provide the conditions for youth to successfully transition into adulthood and attain the larger goal of optimal healthy development. After research findings in the areas of neighborhood and block organizations, community coalitions, and evaluation strategies are highlighted, this chapter describes the processes and activities of a community coalition, the Onondaga County Prevention Partners for Youth Development (PPYD) in Syracuse, New York. The PPYD coalition exemplifies how a community can mobilize adults, develop infrastructures and processes to engage youth, and implement programs to promote youth development and asset building. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2007 APA, all rights reserved)