CREATING CHANGE FROM THE INSIDE: YOUTH DEVELOPMENT WITHIN A YOUTH COMMUNITY ORGANIZING PROGRAM

摘要

This study presents the results of a collaborative community-based research project evaluating Youth Force, a youth community organizing program. Participants included urban youth in middle school and high school from minority racial and ethnic backgrounds. Employing a mixed methods research design, the study investigated the impacts of the program on youth participants, as well as the processes through which program experiences influenced youth outcomes. Results indicated that youth community organizing programs influence a range of youth development outcomes, including the development of skills, knowledge, civic engagement, empowerment, and positive changes in self-concept.