Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission as part of its Substance Abuse Prevention Program - Family Leadership Institute is hosting a Youth-Adult Partnerships community event.

LOCATION - Selma Cultural Arts Center, 1045 Rose Avenue Selma CA

DATE/TIME - September 16, 2008 6:00pm - 7:00pm

A light dinner will be provided so please RSVP to Francisca Velasquez at 559.263.1565 or Jamie Gearon at 559.263.1564

WHAT ARE YOUTH-ADULT PARTNERSHIPS?*

Youth-adult partnerships happen when young people and adults become engaged together in their communities; they are relationships between youth and adults where there is mutuality in teaching, learning, and action (Zeldin, McDaniel, Topitzes & Lorens, 2001). Mutuality is what distinguishes youth-adult partnerships from parent-child, student-teacher, and mentoring relationships (Camino, 2000). Youth-adult partnerships focus on nurturing; they emphasize youth and their contributions rather than problems. There are three components of successful youth-adult partnerships (Camino, 2000).

WHY ARE THEY IMPORTANT?

Research has shown that youth benefit from partnerships with adults when they are seen as individuals who are competent and able to contribute to important decisions that impact their communities (Camino, 2000b). Research shows that youth involvement in positive social relationships and activities with adults is associated with a decrease in risk behaviors, stronger communication skills and leadership experience, increased status and stature in the community, and improved competencies and self-esteem. Involving youth in an organization may result in the following benefits (Klindera & Menderweld, 2001):

• Fresh, new ideas,
• New perspectives on decision-making, including more relevant information about the needs and interests of youth,
• Open and honest responses about existing programs or services,
• Additional human resources due to the sharing of responsibilities between youth and adults,
• Greater willingness by youth to accept the services and messages of the program, and
• Greater credibility of the program or organization to both youth and advocates.

*source: http://cals-cf.calsnet.arizona.edu/fcs/bpy/content.cfm?content=YApartners