Mobilizing Adults for Positive Youth Development: Lessons from Religious Congregations

Abstract

Faith-based organizations have a long and rich history contributing to the development of youth in our society. This contribution to positive youth development occurs in part through the substantial volunteering role of congregation members. Congregations are important contexts for efforts to mobilize adult volunteers for positive youth development for five primary reasons. First, given the large number of Americans who belong to churches, synagogues, and mosques, a vast pool of potential adult volunteers, distributed almost equally across all economic and educational levels, exists in the congregational context. Second, a correspondingly large number of children, youth, and families belong to religious congregations; one primary mission of virtually all congregations is the religious socialization of these children and youth. Third, the spiritual and moral mission of many congregations includes a strong commitment to local communities, including at-risk families and youth. Fourth, in many minority, immigrant, and inner-city neighborhoods, local congregations have a unique credibility and access to local families and youth that secular organizations appear to lack. Finally, there is special potential for built-in spiritual and religious support for congregational volunteers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved)