The Boys & Girls Club Story

5 quick tips: Here’s how adult allies can support youth advocacy

 

Today’s youth show promise as our future leaders, already serving as powerful catalysts for change on issues that are important to them.  Adult allies can support youth voice through advocacy and by offering long-term assistance as young people work to be heard and respected for their steps toward change.

At BGCA, safety is our number-one priority. Amidst national conversations on school violence, safety, and youth advocacy, we’re organizing with fellow youth-serving organizations to ensure the physical and emotional safety needs of young people are met.

We can’t do it alone. Here’s how you can help support and amplify the voices of the young people who will shape our world:

1. Amplify their voices, not yours.

Tell youth their voices matter—and mean it. As adult allies, it is essential that we create spaces for youth to use their voices. Remember that the steps we take to empower young people must be about boosting their skills and ability to convey their own authentic message, not ours.

When advocating for the perspectives of youth, one helpful approach is to remove your own agenda from the equation entirely, and instead ask thoughtful questions that help young people clarify their own messages and goals. Adult allies can also take a direct approach of inviting youth to participate at the table with other decision-makers who can assist in bringing about change.

Long-term, young people may feel discouraged if they don’t see the immediate impact of their efforts. You can encourage youth by noticing their efforts and acknowledging their impact on the community.

2. Broadcast your willingness to be a “helper.”

Youth voice dies in a vacuum. Organize with other adult allies (like parents, teachers, community members, church leaders, Club staff, etc.) to find ways to signal to students that you are available and willing to support their voice. It can be as simple as clicking “share” when a young person speaks up on social media or making your own social media posts that express interest in partnering with and advocating for youth.

You can also take a more direct approach by asking young people what you can do to help. Consider using the following question: “If you had a partner to help you organize, what would you ask them to help you with?” 

3. Acknowledge and assume competence among youth leadership.

When it comes to issues like school violence, many prevention and support tactics have been tried, but nothing thus far has brought a solution to the problem. It's time to acknowledge that the missing piece of this devastating puzzle might well be the students themselves. Following the leadership of students doesn’t mean you should never speak up or share your opinion, but try to maintain awareness of how your feedback can motivate or demotivate young people in their commitment to finding solutions to the issues that impact them.

Part of assuming competence means giving young people meaningful and respectful feedback when appropriate and providing a safety net when they make mistakes or their efforts don’t succeed. It’s also important to ensure that students understand the bigger picture when approaching complex subjects.

4. Don’t assume anything else.

It can be difficult to remember types of obstacles we faced as students and, let’s face it, most adults have never been forced to endure the level of fear that the threat of school violence presents in our current climate. When partnering with and working to empower young people, it’s important to acknowledge the following factors, both tactical and interpersonal:

• Scheduling: Youth schedules are different. 7 a.m. might be too early and 7 p.m. might not be too late. Ask youth what works for them.
• Transportation: Youth may need transportation support; offer to help coordinate transportation.
• Youth culture: Try to remain flexible and willing to adapt to the changing needs and interests of the young people you’ve partnered with.
• Group dynamics: Tailor your support tactics to suit the personalities of the youth you are partnering with; welcome humor when appropriate.

5. Be realistic about consequences.

Help youth to anticipate and understand how their advocacy may be perceived by others. Provide feedback, ask questions about how tactics and approaches fit into the bigger picture, and help students discuss and plan for how they will respond to negative and positive feedback.

It’s critical that adults inform students of potential consequences that may come from youth participation in advocacy tactics like school walkouts, marches, or other forms of peaceful protest. It’s also important that adults use our voices and influence to challenge those consequences when appropriate. Work to educate young people on their rights and equip them to navigate school and out-of-school settings.

Now is a powerful time for our nation. This upswell of youth advocacy presents an opportunity for adults to help youth voices be heard. Together, we can empower youth to be effective advocates, capable of making a meaningful difference on the issues that are important to them.

This guide has been adapted from resources from Youth ERA. To learn more, please visit youthera.org. Questions? Contact us at [email protected].

5 things military kids wish you knew

By the time I graduated high school, I had been to nine different schools. You guessed it: I’m a military kid. My dad joined the Air Force before I was born and was deployed to Korea for a year just days before my 16^th birthday.

My story is not entirely unique. Military kids move six to nine times on average, and we all face the same kinds of challenges as we navigate the military and civilian worlds.

But while there are nearly 2 million of us, there's a lot you might not know about our lives. So, in honor of the Month of the Military Child, here are a few things we wish you knew:

1. Supportive relationships make a difference.
   

   One of the best resources I found on base was my Boys & Girls Clubs of America-affiliated Youth Center. My first day there, everyone was so welcoming and warm. But it’s my second time there that really got me. They all remembered my name. More than that, they remembered me — they were genuinely interested in my story and my ideas. That meant a lot to me. It still does.

   You meet new people all the time as a military kid. The relationships that make you feel involved, engaged and heard are the ones that stick no matter where you go. Those are the kinds of relationships I found at my Youth Center, and I still rely on them today.

2. We’re resilient but not indestructible.
   

   When transfers, deployments and injuries in the line of duty are the norm for your family, you learn to be especially ready for anything life throws at you. But those social and emotional skills don’t come standard. You can’t learn to perfectly manage your emotions from experience alone.

   Programs that prepare military kids for the challenges they’ll face on and off base are simply a must. It’s like basic training for everyday life.

3. Continuity is key — especially with STEM.
   

   With each new school, there are new people to meet, new cafeteria lunches to enjoy (or not) and new academic requirements to contend with. It can be a challenge to stay on track, especially in highly technical STEM subjects.

   Getting consistent academic support from different Youth Centers is a big help. Thanks to a partnership between BGCA and Raytheon more military kids than ever are getting their hands on advanced technologies and expert support too through the STEM Centers of Innovation being built nationwide on or near military bases.

4. Reintegration can be stressful!
   

   You’ve seen the videos of kids diving into their parent’s arms after a long deployment. That joy is real and those moments are priceless. But the days, weeks and months that follow can be rough going. It’s a big adjustment for the whole family, especially if your parent was injured in the line of duty. Military kids need a little extra care and understanding during those changes.

5. We’re twice as likely to join the military as our peers.
   

   There is a strong sense of pride, commitment and service that goes into being a military family. It’s no wonder so many of us follow in our parents’ footsteps and join the armed services ourselves. It’s an important point to remember — an investment in our military kids is an investment in the next generations of our nation’s men and women in uniform.

They say change is the only constant. That's certainly been true for me. Fortunately, I've had my family and the Boys & Girls Clubs to rely on. While it's a challenging life, I wouldn't give it up for the world. I know a lot of other proud military kids feel the same way.

If you know a military kid, put your newfound knowledge to work and show them your appreciation this month. It won’t go unnoticed.

By Kaila L., National Military Youth of the Year, Boys & Girls Clubs of America

Boys & Girls Clubs of America champions America’s youth, ensuring they have opportunities based on their potential, not their ZIP code. To partner with us on building great futures, please contact us at [email protected].

 

Leaders aren't born, they're made. Here's how to help foster the next generation of leaders in America.

First Lady Barbara Bush, a dedicated public servant and Boys & Girls Clubs supporter, plays pool at the East Branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio in 1992 (image courtesy of San Antonio Express News)

Clubs help to build the next generation of leaders by providing a safe place where young people can explore and develop the skills they need to be the problem-solvers, innovators, and leaders who will shape our world. Just like our Youth of the Year Carlos P., teaching kids to dream big will encourage them to be leaders in their communities. Here are five ways you can help champion youth leadership:

1. Help youth develop the social and emotional skills that will equip them to be fearless, resilient leaders. As our world becomes increasingly complex and interconnected, leadership skills such as communication, goal-setting and teamwork are essential for everyone – especially young people preparing to meet the challenges of adolescence and adulthood.
2. Create opportunities for hands-on service learning. Service learning is a powerful experience that puts youth at the center of their own learning – whether it’s discovering personal passions, identifying community needs, designing service projects, or engaging community members to create meaningful change. Studies show that young people who engage in service do better in school, maintain positive relationships with adults and avoid risky behaviors. An added bonus? Students get the satisfaction of helping to build a better world in their own backyard.
3. Provide mentorship to young people in your community. Young people flourish when they have access to engaged, caring adults who have an interest in the development and future. Research shows that not all mentoring programs are created equally. The most effective programs include best practices like mentor screening and regular training opportunities; making matches based on shared interests; providing support and supervision on a scheduled basis before and during the match; and clear expectations for communication style and frequency.
4. Build college and career readiness through workforce development training for youth. Young people need opportunities to explore, develop, and apply the hard and soft skills that will ensure their success in the workplace. Talk with young people about jobs and pathways to the workforce, with emphasis on the social benefits and ability to help others. Provide opportunities for young people to develop and apply their skills through real-life experiences like community service, internships, pre-apprenticeships, and job shadowing.
5. Support youth development organizations like Boys & Girls Clubs through giving, volunteering, and advocacy. Our character and leadership programs help youth become responsible, caring citizens by developing skills that equip them to participate in the democratic process and have their voices heard. Program participants also develop leadership skills and gain opportunities for planning, decision-making, contributing to Club and community and celebrating our national heritage. Your generosity, passion, and advocacy will help us close the opportunity gap for young people who need us most.

Questions? Please contact us at [email protected].