This study examined the negative adult characteristics and practices that prohibit connection between youth and nonparental adults. Racially/ethnically diverse youth from five community-based out-of-school-time programs participated in focus groups on youth-adult relationships. Analyses revealed that the following adult characteristics and…

In this cross-sectional study, we investigated the multi-level educational intervention among youth in a low-income, remote community in Hawai'i, United States. The program aided with middle schoolers' transition into adulthood through youth-adult partnerships, teen mentoring, and community sustainability. Drawing upon social capital framework, we…

The Aspen Institute Sports & Society Program and National Commission on Social, Emotional, and Academic Development have forged a partnership with the goal of exploring the role youth sports can play in developing young people's social and emotional skills. With funding from the Susan Crown Exchange (SCE) and guidance from a strategic advisory…

A promising approach to support positive youth development is having adolescents serve as teachers for younger children. Through a qualitative interview study, we explored adolescents' development in their role serving as teachers for younger elementary-age children during out-of-school time; programs were managed by the University of California…

American children represent a great untapped potential in our country. For many young people, choices are limited and the goal of a productive adulthood is a remote one. This report paints a picture of who these children are, shares their insights and reflections about the barriers they face, and offers ways forward for Big Brothers Big Sisters as…

This article examines the recommendations in ACTE's high school reform position statement and highlights best practices for implementing each of the recommendations. In this article, the author discusses the third recommendation which is to create a positive school culture that stresses personalization in relationships. Furthermore, she states…

This essay discusses the roots, current shapes, and social and operational implications of mentoring young people in poverty. After an introductory first section on mentoring and the new voluntarism, Section II, "Recurring Fervor," notes recent increased interest in mentoring and traces the early manifestations of mentoring to 19th…

This collection of articles is one of several published by public television's "One PLUS One" project, a special media emphasis on mentoring and its effectiveness in helping young people. The articles reflect the belief that providing youth with adult support and guidance can strengthen their self-esteem and encourage them to achieve. The…

"Adults don't listen to me because they don't think I have anything interesting to say," an eleven-year-old boy explained to the authors of this article during one of the after-school focus groups that took place at Homer (Michigan) Community Schools. However, as part of the Youth Participatory Evaluation (YPE) team's effort to evaluate…

An examination of hundreds of studies on the use of volunteers in mentoring programs, service programs, and local community change initiatives highlight the importance of screening, training, and volunteer management. Each year, more than 90 million Americans contribute more than 20 billion volunteer hours. Personal benefits of volunteering…