Build Youth Capacity. Learning more about their strengths and dreams helps youth set and achieve goals that build self-esteem and self-worth. This can help create a solid foundation for youth to be able to cope with challenges later in life. Furthermore, having the right support and encouragement to build new skills, competencies, and abilities can help the youth with career and life decisions.
Build Adult Capacity. It is vital to think about how adults and initiatives stay relevant to the youth involved. Receiving feedback and learning from youth is an essential part of building capacity to engage youth.
Peer-to-Peer. Initiatives can create opportunities for youth to develop different types of healthy relationships with other youth. Youth can learn from each other, give support, and give guidance to each other.
Feedback. People like hearing feedback in different ways. For both youth and adults, learn how each person wants to receive constructive feedback. For example, some might like it one-on-one while others like it in small groups; some want to know right away while others want to have a weekly check in.
Beyond Comfort Zones. Sometimes the most fun and rewarding experiences are when we take on a challenge that is new and that is not guaranteed to work. It is important that challenges are co-developed with youth and adults, as no one likes to be imposed upon. Youth and adults can offer support and guidance to those who are moving beyond their comfort zones.