YouthBuild USA founder Dorothy Stoneman has seen her program grow from a single office to a nationwide network of 180 programs in 43 states. Along the way, she's learned that there is a recipe for successful youth development, one she believes can be replicated everywhere. Stoneman presented her thoughts to the American Youth Policy Forum in Washington, DC, on January 24, 2003.

Reach, Educate and Inspire Disconnected Youth
According to Stoneman, there is a formula that works for most young people most of the time. "The adults call it transformation," she says. "The young people say it 'flips the script.' They mean the story turns out completely different from where it was headed."

Here, according to Stoneman, are the main things young people need to flip their own scripts:

1. A way to continue their educations and graduate from high school or college
2. Skills training, in preparation for jobs that pay well and allow for advancement
3. An immediate and visible role contributing to their community, one that earns respect from family and friends
4. Stipends and/or wages to support them and their children
5. Personal counseling from role models firmly committed to their success
6. Positive peer support, with a value system strong enough to compete with the streets
7. A place in a mini-community that stands for something the participants can believe in, in which each person is committed to the success of everyone in the group
8. A role in governance and in making important decisions
9. A chance to develop leadership skills, and a civic education that gives them an idea of how they can play an important role in the neighborhood and society
10. Assistance in managing money, such as scholarships and budgets
11. Access to colleges and potential employers
12. Support after graduation, sometimes continuing for years

Delivery System
In order to replicate successful programs that already incorporate these key ingredients on a national scale, Stoneman says attention needs to be paid to the following organizational elements:

1. Quality of local leadership: The ability to attract good leaders is vital.
2. Manageable size: The young people involved should be able to know everyone in the organization, and it should be a place that fosters familiarity and feelings of safety.
3. Overall system leadership: There should be an overarching vision and direction.
4. Accountability: Success should be measured with regard to recruitment, attendance, retention, academic achievement, community participation, job and college placement, wages and benefits for employment, and job and college retention.
5. Democratic input into policy: Staff, community leaders, and the young people themselves should participate in setting policy, with an equal weight given to the voices of youth.
6. Intelligent use of technology: This requires a reasonable investment in e-mail, Web-based communication and electronic database management.

Going Forward
As YouthBuild has grown, Stoneman has been delighted by how well her approach has been reproduced in other cities. "Twenty years ago experts said to me, "You can't replicate this; it's too complex; it depends on you.'" she says. "I said, 'Not true, it depends on a set of ideas and activities—it is a philosophy and a comprehensive program. Many people can implement this better than I can.' That has turned out to be true. There are many YouthBuild programs much better than the original one." Stoneman's plan for action:

Invest in Programs That Work
Pick the low-hanging fruit first. The government should take to full scale those programs that show evidence of success, that are attracting young people and meeting their developmental needs. Stoneman defines a successful program as one in which at least half who enroll complete the program and go on to college or gainful employment.

Build in Second Chances
According to Stoneman, about 60 percent of the youth participating in these programs will succeed, while the other 40 percent will miss on the first attempt. Programs have to find ways to locate and reach out to the 40 percent who don't make it the first time. Given more time and resources, this population can also succeed.

Lead From the Top
The nation must make a commitment to the idea of preparing all youth for meaningful work and self-sufficiency. The way to do this, according to Stoneman, is through improvements in education and a solid "second-chance system" coordinated at the federal, state and local levels.

Lead from the Bottom: Create the Conditions for Change
Grassroots efforts are necessary to build sufficient public and political support to put disconnected youth on the public agenda, Stoneman says. Activists must get organized and "stay on the case." Stoneman envisions a broad-based constituency of young people and youth advocates, supported by the community and driven by a common vision. A group is mobilizing, she says, to form a Campaign for Youth, which will include a public relations campaign, public forums, lobbying, and events that will generate awareness and support. Stoneman and YouthBuild are a part of this effort.

YouthBuild's program currently reaches 6,000 young people through a program based on the ideas Stoneman outlines here. The plan works, Stoneman says, but federal involvement and program expansion are necessary next steps

"We know how to do it," she says. "We have a moral obligation to do it. It will be good for our economy and will strengthen all Americans' sense of pride and safety."

Resources:

• For more information about YouthBuild USA, see their Web site [1].
• Visit Connect for Kids Topic Pages on community building [2].
  

Talk Back

If you've got comments or questions about this story, we'd like to hear them. Send your response to Connect for Kids [3].

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Kate Ashford is a freelance writer in Alexandria, Va.