NCJ Number
128139
Journal
Future Choices Toward a National Youth Policy Volume: 2 Issue: 3 Dated: (Winter 1991) Pages: 81-92
Date Published
1991
Length
12 pages
Annotation
National programs focused on youth at risk and youth development are described.
Abstract
The Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) has over 2,000 local YMCA's that reach 2 million youth under 17 years of age. The YMCA has recently implemented Youth Work 2000, a 10-year initiative to reach vulnerable youth. The goal of this effort is to produce young adult leadership and quality work force members for the next decade. The Junior Achievement (JA) program is designed to provide young people with an understanding of business and economics. In 1971, JA launched a concerted effort to link its programming with school curriculums and to reach out to junior high school youth. In 1989, JA established objectives for at-risk youth and implemented several projects involving at-risk populations. Girl Scouts programming seeks to build self-esteem, competence, and leadership skills. The Girl Scouts' National Center for Innovation is the primary mechanism to reach new audiences and at-risk youth. The 4-H program is the only youth development organization that is publicly operated (under the Cooperative Extension of the U.S. Department of Agriculture). Over 4.5 million youth are involved in 4-H youth development and educational programs. The National Youth-at-Risk Initiative of 4-H is intended to reach youth who are vulnerable due to poverty, lack of parental support, and negative peer pressure. Programs of Girls Incorporated, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America also target at-risk youth as well as programs of the Children's Defense Fund, the Center for Population Options, the Salvation Army, and the U.S. Army and Navy.