Youth-Led Participatory Action Research (YPAR) In our Legacy YPAR project, youth organizers identify a problem of concern, gather data about it, and then make recommendations for improvement. • Young people begin by exploring social justice issues in their school, program, or community. They then choose a topic to explore in depth. • Once they have selected their problem of interest, they gain hands-on experience in various research methods, such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, or documentary videos. • As participants collect data from stakeholders to answer their research question, they also think strategically about how to create social change by building alliances with stakeholders. • After identifying the main findings from their research, youth generate recommendations for change and advocate for their solutions.
Mentoring is often one component of a program that involves other elements, such as tutoring or life skills training and coaching. The supportive, healthy relationships formed between mentors and mentees are both immediate and long-term and contribute to a host of benefits for mentors and mentees.
​
Mentoring is a special partnership between two people based on commitment to the mentoring process, common goals/expectations of the partnership, and mutual trust and respect.
Mentoring is a “get and give” experience with the goal of providing a rich and rewarding experience for both partners. We ask you to share your information so the program manager can match you in a mentoring relationship.
The National Youth Advisory Board of Community Youth Councils select up to 12 members for the National CYC Youth Advisory Board (YAB). The YAB is composed of high school students who have demonstrated leadership skills and service in their school and community, as well as having experience and service with any CYC program. These students should also possess a commitment to the ideals of CYC. Creative and energetic students are needed to create new materials, plan and attend workshops and provide the youth voice necessary to propel CYC to greater achievements. Applying for the National CYC YAB consists of 2 rounds of application processing. Completion of the application is required for Round One. Applicants moving to Round Two, will be notified in Fall with additional information and phone interviews.
Key functions of Youth Councils: The functions and activities of the Youth Council support the aims and objectives of the Council and promote the development of the community and the welfare of its youth.
The establishment of a Youth Council gives youth an opportunity to acquire the sort of communication, planning and organizational skills which will be of benefit to them in their future lives.
Improving communication within the community is a shared responsibility and a Youth Council can contribute to this process.
BLACK’s Scholastic Endowment Quest program identifies and assists individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who have the potential to succeed in higher education. The program provides academic, career, and financial counseling to its participants and encourages them to graduate from high school and continue on to and complete their postsecondary education.
​
The goal of the Scholastic Endowment Quest Program is to increase the number of youth from disadvantaged backgrounds who complete high school and enroll in and complete their postsecondary education. Our program will provide services to disadvantaged, low-income, potentially first-generation college-bound students attending schools in the service area. The target schools are High Schools and Junior High Schools. (In our service area)
Lead Agencies are a vital part of increasing youth participation in their communities by engaging youth as volunteers for the first time on national days of service.
The primary role of a Lead Agency is to convene a partner coalition that will collaborate to collectively activate youth – especially those in middle and high school and in under-served communities who aren’t usually asked to participate.
Lead Agencies convene partner coalitions of:
​
•K-12 schools, colleges and universities;
•Youth development, afterschool, and extracurricular programs; and
•Community and faith-based organizations, government agencies, national service programs, volunteer centers, etc.
​
Youth ages 5-25 are performing community service projects! You can serve with our team or your own. Students can earn community service hours. Register today!
