Keys to Quality Youth Development

Table of Contents	Next Topic
5. Youth Develop Quality Relationships With Peers and Adults
Premise
Youth develop caring and trusting relationships. Youth and adults learn together and respect one another.
Building a Foundation Support Supportive relationships bring safety, stability, and encouragement to young people’s lives. The Search Institute identifies important examples: Family support - Family life provides high levels of love and support. Positive family communication - Young person and her or his parent(s) communicate positively. Young person is willing to seek parental advice and counsel. Other adult relationships - Young person receives support from three or more non-parent adults. Caring neighborhood - Young person experiences caring neighbors. Caring school climate - School provides a caring, encouraging environment. Parent involvement in schooling - Parent(s) are actively involved in helping young person succeed in school.	Selecting Outcomes What will be done in your program to make sure youth - interact as equal partners in planning, implementing, and evaluating the program? have time to meet and learn about each other? are able to continue friendships with other youth and adults? interact with adults to learn and have fun together?
Identifying Practices
Use name tags to relate on a first-name basis. Use introductions and get-acquainted activities. Encourage youth and adults to learn and participate as teams. Provide lists of participants, addresses, etc., so friendships can continue. Encourage adults to interact with youth. Encourage adult and youth teams to meet after the planned experience.
How It Works    Shaleen is a 12-year-old who recently moved into the community. Her mom and stepfather are shift workers at a local mill. Next door is Jean, a kind "grandmother-type" who welcomed the family with homemade cookies when they moved in. Shaleen visited Jean often and heard stories about Jean’s grandchildren doing community work in a neighborhood church youth group. Shaleen quickly warmed to the idea of doing things with the group and was invited to attend the "Milkshake Monday" sessions as well as Sunday School with Jean’s grandchildren. She became involved in the "blizzard bucket" project, making and delivering winter survival kits to senior citizens.    Shaleen continues to visit Jean often, sharing stories of excitement, as well as the ups and downs of growing up. In addition, Shaleen has new friends in the youth group.	Things To Think About It is important that youth and adults talk together, listen to each other, and express interest in each other. It is not enough for adults to say, "I’m here for you" and expect youth to seek them out. Adults must initiate relationships too. In quality relationships, youth and adult ideas are valued equally. It’s important to avoid viewing adults as the "experts" and youth as "the problem." Youth need and want many opportunities to share their knowledge, ideas, and opinions. Words Of Wisdom "A long-term relationship with a caring adult can change a young person's life." Forgotten Half, 1988, p. 45.
Questions For Youth
Tell us something about three new people (youth or adults) you met as part of this experience. What qualities must youth and/or adults possess to be good friends, mentors, or leaders? Which of these qualities did the adults in this group have? Which of these qualities did youth in this group have? Do you have plans to keep in touch with a new friend(s) you made?    How will you contact them?    How will you get to know them better?
Table of Contents	Next Topic

Produced by Communication and Educational Technology Services, University of Minnesota Extension.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, this material is available in alternative formats upon request. Please contact your University of Minnesota Extension office or the Distribution Center at (800) 876-8636.

University of Minnesota Extension is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, or sexual orientation.