http://social-light.net/2008/10/07/i-am-not-complaining/ Social Light places a “Spotlight” on youth development programs making a difference in the lives of kids Sat, 31 Jul 2010 01:01:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 http://social-light.net/2008/10/07/i-am-not-complaining/#comment-101 Deniece Sun, 09 Nov 2008 13:15:17 +0000 http://social-light.net/?p=7#comment-101 We are having these conversations within our youth serving agency and I contsantly challenge us to look at our leadership programs as workforce preparation opportunities for young people. There is something "telling" about the overwhelming sense of entitlement that our young people present in our programs- something that we have helped create. What is missing for me is the equal parts work ethic and passion mixed with a measured dose of individual accountability. We've seen when our expectations are low and one-tiered, attendance=success, that young people's aspirations are equally low compared to when are expectations are high and multi-layered, attendance/participation/developing a service ethic matched with equitable resources to help youth achieve the desired goals, youth engage in meaningful ways and want to do more. I am truly encouraged by the conversation about youth development in this manner. We are having these conversations within our youth serving agency and I contsantly challenge us to look at our leadership programs as workforce preparation opportunities for young people. There is something “telling” about the overwhelming sense of entitlement that our young people present in our programs- something that we have helped create. What is missing for me is the equal parts work ethic and passion mixed with a measured dose of individual accountability. We’ve seen when our expectations are low and one-tiered, attendance=success, that young people’s aspirations are equally low compared to when are expectations are high and multi-layered, attendance/participation/developing a service ethic matched with equitable resources to help youth achieve the desired goals, youth engage in meaningful ways and want to do more. I am truly encouraged by the conversation about youth development in this manner.

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