Key Resources: Youth-Adult Partnerships

Theory and Methodology:

Camino, Linda (2000). Youth-Adult Partnerships: Entering New Territory in Community Work and Research. Applied Developmental Science 4(2), s11-s20.

Focuses on the shift in lenses through which we study youth participation and youth-adult partnerships. Value of youth-adult partnerships in youth and community development is strengthened through these shifts in approaches to research and study.

Zeldin, Shepherd. Linda Camino & Carrie Mook (2005). The Adoption of Innovation in Youth Organizations: Creating the Conditions for Youth-Adult Partnerships. Journal of Community Psychology 33(1).

Focuses on the adaptation and sustainability of youth-adult partnerships within organizations by mobilizing energy, developing clarity and purpose, positive narratives, new strategies for change, new roles for youth and by recognizing and challenging power dynamics.

Dumond, Camille. Alan Warner & Marc Langlois (2003). Voices from Youth Teams: How to Create Successful Partnerships for Community Action.

Strong focus on connecting with each other and to common values and passions in order to create positive change within a community. Also explores roles and responsibilities of both youth and adults and how to collaborate towards both youth and community development.

Guides and Toolkits:

Making it Work. A Guide to Successful Youth-Adult Partnerships.

Tools, check-lists, games, activities, relationship building, barriers/challenges, sustainability, ladder of youth participation etc.

Allies in Action: Two workshops for Adults who want to be allies to young people: Two workshops for Adults who want to be Allies to Young People.

Oriented around issues of youth and sexuality and building support from adults through the use of two workshops. The first workshop outlines the developmentof youth adult relationships of trust, breaking down stereotypes and barriers and creating a supportive network. The second focuses on issues of sexuality and offers evaluation tools for activities.

Power, Kevin (2005). Engaging Young People in Leadership and Decision Making. McCreary Youth Foundation.

Highlights models of engagement that will benefit youth, adults, and organizations. Addresses key challenges, youth development, voice, diversity, and leadership concepts.

The Circle as Pedagogy: Creating Authentic Elder/Youth Engagement (2004).

Centres of Excellence for Children’s Well-Being.

Literature review focusing on some key concepts such as Indigenous Knowledge, youth engagement, cross-cultural communication and learning, and key challenges.

Quick Tips and Links

Norman, Jane (2001). Building Effective Youth-Adult Partnerships. Transitions 14(1).

Definition of partnerships and exploration of the benefits for both youth and adults. Emphasizesgenuine partnership.

Kindera, Kent (2001). Barriers to Building Effective Youth-Adult Partnerships. Transitions 14(1).

Addresses barriers in attitudes and also logistical and organizational barriers. Includes list of tips for working with youth.

Youth-Adult Partnerships Tips

Reflective and meaningful 7 step tip list to developing youth-adult partnerships.

Games

“The River”. Purpose: To remind adults of the pressures that teens may be facing.

Fletcher, Adam & Kari Kunst (2006). Guide to Cooperative Games for Social Change. FreeChild Common Action.

Focus on cooperative and inclusive games – icebreakers, initiative activities, team builders, trustbuilders, closing activities, and just plain fun ones! Can be used by/with/for youth and adults regardless of the type of meeting or purpose

Case Studies

Youth-Adult Partnerships Show Promise: Youth Involvement Expands from Local Projects to Institutional Levels.

Anecdotal evidence of the importance and value of youth-adult partnerships in the creation of effective HIV/AIDS education, resources and support for both youth and adults.

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