Supporting Youth and Families Through Community-Based Programs

Role of Community Organizations

Organizations that are representative of the local community often lead efforts to develop support systems on a local level. Such organizations may be non-profit organizations, faith-based groups, youth centers and/or grassroots movements. The primary purpose of community organizations is to address the needs of the community they represent which makes their programming flexible and responsive to those who utilize their services.

One characteristic distinguishing community organizations from larger institutions is their ability to build close working relationships with the populations they serve. This closeness provides organizations with a deeper understanding of the unique challenges facing families (i.e. poverty, lack of educational opportunity, etc.) allowing them to develop supportive programming that is both functional and culturally-sensitive.

In addition to providing direct support to individuals and families, community organizations function as connectors. They facilitate contact between families and sources of necessary services (including education assistance, healthcare options and social services). Additionally, community organizations establish partnerships with public schools, local government agencies and other organizations that provide additional support structures which collectively provide a broader range of services than would be available through a singular organization.

Structured Programs and Their Impact

Structured programs are a big part of how Community Organizations deliver support. All structured programs have specific objectives, tasks, and outcomes which allow for consistency in what participants will learn or do. Many programs serve one of three main purposes.

• Programs focused on academics assist with learning.
• Programs that focus on developing life skills (e.g. communications skills) and assist with daily functioning.
• Recreational programs (e.g. sports, arts & culture) assist with socialization and emotional well-being.

The structure of programs offers stability and routine to youth; two things many young people need especially if they have experienced disruptions in the rest of their lives. Participating in organized activity helps to develop focus and discipline as well as provides a feeling of being part of something larger than themselves.

Academic Support Programs are some of the most common types of programs delivered by organizations. Examples of Academic Support Programs include tutoring, homework assistance clubs and literacy support. The purpose of an Academic Support Program is to provide a student with an opportunity to practice and reinforce knowledge learned in school to increase his/her confidence and ability to perform academically better than he/she would without this type of program.

Many organizations use Life Skills Development Programs. Life Skills Development Programs provide youth with practical skills needed to be independent adults. Some examples of the skills that may be taught through Life Skills Development Programs include: communications skills, decision-making skills, problem-solving skills, etc.

Finally, organizations often use Recreational Programs (i.e., programs that involve team-building, creative expression and/or socialization). While Recreational Programs may seem less “formal” than educational and/or life skills based programs, the benefits associated with participation are similar. Recreational Programs provide youth with an environment where they can express themselves positively, work collaboratively with others, interact positively with peers and develop the social/emotional competencies necessary for success throughout their lifetime.

The Importance of Mentorship

Mentorship is among the most powerful components of Community Based Programs. Mentors provide their mentees with direction; they encourage them to be successful; and they provide emotional support so their mentees can successfully navigate life’s obstacles and make informed choices. The mentor-mentee relationship is developed through the foundation of reliability and trust, which ultimately produces a stable relationship.

Many young adults use their mentors as positive examples to model behaviors and attitudes that will help their mentees grow personally. This can have particular significance for those young adults whose families are either non-supportive or unstable at home, or those students who do not have supportive teachers or staff at school.

Mentorship programs that pair young people with mentors who share similar interests or experiences help to build relationships and ensure that guidance is both relevant and relatable. These relationships can have a lasting impact on the confidence of the individual and their aspirations for future development.

One-to-one mentorship is commonly used in community-based programs. However, group mentoring is also widely used. Group mentoring allows participants to learn from mentors as well as peers. This creates a supportive environment where collaboration takes place between individuals, which helps to develop social skills.

Examples of Mentorship Programs

Examples of mentorship programs that assist young individuals as well as families include:

• School-based mentorship programs: School-based mentorship programs involve a partnership between students and school personnel such as teachers, counselors, or trained volunteers to guide student achievement; establish goals for themselves and their future; and develop personally while they remain engaged and connected to their educational experience through-out their schooling.
• Youth mentoring schemes based in the community: Community organizations and/or youth centers often sponsor community youth mentoring programs which offer young individuals an opportunity to be mentored by members of their own communities. Programs such as this allow youth to build confidence in themselves, enhance socialization skills, and receive advice/guidance related to day-to-day life issues in an environment they find comfortable and familiar.
• Mentorship programs focused on careers/skill acquisition: Many professional organizations provide mentorship opportunities that pair young individuals with professionals working in their desired industry. The purpose of these types of mentorship relationships is for the mentor to educate the individual about available job options, what employers expect in terms of employee behavior at work and how to acquire the necessary skills to succeed in a career or continue education beyond high school.
• Peer-mentorship programs: Peer-mentorship programs involve slightly older or more experienced young individuals acting as role models/mentors to younger peers. This type of relationship provides a peer-to-peer support network for youth where youth can feel free to communicate openly with each other and learn from one another’s experiences, while promoting both mutual growth and development among the group.

Creating Safe and Supportive Environments

The safety of any community-based programme is dependent upon creating a safe environment for all participants. Safety extends beyond physical protection by also including emotional and psychological wellbeing. Participants must feel respected, valued, and free to express themselves without fear of judgement.

Community based programs work to create an inclusive space that celebrates diversity. This is especially important in communities with various cultural, social and economic backgrounds. By encouraging inclusion, programs provide a means for participants to develop a sense of identity and belonging to their community.

Safe environments also encourage open communication between programme staff and the young person. When a young person feels safe they are more likely to share concerns and seek support. This then provides programme leaders with the opportunity to identify issues early and make appropriate interventions.

Supervision and clear guidelines are key to maintaining a safe environment. Trained staff/volunteers will ensure that activities take place responsibly and that participants are protected from harm. Policies related to safeguarding and behaviour management are usually in place to support the goals of maintaining a safe environment.

Addressing Educational Challenges

Schools and community organizations both educate, however community organizations are able to provide education in addition to formal schooling which is especially helpful when students need to be educated outside of school. When there is an obstacle that prevents a family from assisting with their child’s academic success then the community organization provides the needed resources.

Examples of obstacles include; access to educational tools, parents cannot assist with academics because they are working, language barriers. Providing a supplemental resource or source of information will allow the student to have better access to education and therefore potentially increase their chances of succeeding academically.

Besides helping schools (and therefore teachers) by providing additional educational support, after-school programs also help students. This means students can do their homework and receive individualized tutoring in addition to participating in other academic activities, all while they have a safe, structured place to go. These types of programs reduce the chances that kids will struggle academically at least some of the time during the normal school year.

Community organizations are also supporting student success by creating a culture around education. By continuing to offer opportunities for kids to be involved in educational settings, these organizations foster an interest in learning that encourages students to pursue additional knowledge and curiosity.

Supporting Youths’ Emotional and Mental Health Development

Youth development consists of three primary areas: physical, social/emotional, and cognitive. A critical area of focus includes the social/emotional aspect of youth development. Social-emotional growth is an important part of youth development because it encompasses emotional health and mental health. Community-based programs provide youth with environments where youth can talk openly about their emotions, build resilience and learn ways to cope with the demands of everyday life.

Workshops or small group settings can be used as formats to enable youth to talk about issues such as stress management, self-esteem-building, and interpersonal relationships. Using this format allows youth to become more aware of themselves and understand how their thoughts and actions affect their emotional well-being.

Adult mentors/role models are crucial for developing emotionally stable youth. Many community organizations serve as conduits for connecting youth to professional counselors.

Additionally, peer support networks within community organizations allow youth to connect with others who have faced similar challenges. This provides youth with a network of individuals that share similar experiences and allows them to develop trust and find comfort in the fact that they are not alone.

Strengthening Family Relationships

Family support in many cases is an extension of the work done by community programs. The development of a child is influenced by the home environment; therefore community based programs focus on enhancing family relationships and improving communication within those relationships.

Community organizations often hold parenting workshops which provide education in areas including discipline, communication and child development. Parenting Workshops allow parents to gain tools and skills they can use in their daily interactions with their children.

A variety of family oriented events will be held as well. Family days, group outings, etc. These events foster positive parent/child interactions and assist in building strong bonds and creating lasting memories.

Additionally, some community organizations will provide additional resources for families dealing with difficult situations. For example, assistance in obtaining financial aid, connecting families with social service agencies or providing a support system for parents. Community Programs working together to address these larger needs will contribute to the overall stability of a family.

Promoting Social Development

When children grow, they need the opportunity to interact with other people. In order to do this, children participate in community based programs that allow them to develop social skills and make friends.

• Developing teamwork skills through group activities: Children’s participation in group activities within community based programs allows them to develop teamwork skills. Children can also learn effective communication techniques and conflict resolution methods. The ability to work well with others will be beneficial to children in all areas of their lives including educational settings and future workplaces.
• Breaking stereotypes using diverse groups: Community based programs expose children to many different types of people. While participating in programs at the local level, children will meet people who are of different ethnicities and socioeconomic status. As a result of meeting people from different walks of life, children become aware of many different cultures and ways of living. When children become exposed to so many different cultures and ways of living, stereotypes begin to fade away.
• Leadership opportunities: In addition to developing social skills, children are able to develop leadership abilities by being involved in various community based programs. For example, children may serve as a leader of a small group. They may also be responsible for mentoring younger peers. Leadership positions promote self-confidence and accountability. Many times, the experience a child has while leading a small group or mentoring younger peers will influence them for years to come.
• Building resilience: While some of the benefits of community based programs include developing social skills and building leadership potential; one of the greatest advantages is the ability it gives participants to build resilience. Community based programs provide ongoing support for participants which promotes the development of resilience. Developing resilience is a process that takes time. However, when given the right type of opportunities, participants can develop the necessary skills to overcome obstacles throughout their lifetime.
• Learning to set goals: Many community based programs incorporate goal setting as part of program activities. Program participants are encouraged to set achievable goals and work toward achieving those goals. Once goals are achieved, program participants feel confident about themselves because they know that they are capable of accomplishing something.

The Broader Impact on Communities

The advantages of community based programs are not limited to the individual that participates. When we support our young people and families, we make our entire community stronger.

Effective community programs have been linked to lower incidence of many social issues including reduced levels of crime, lower high school dropout rates, and lower levels of unemployment. Effective programs target the cause of problems while offering alternative solutions; thus making their communities safer and more stable.

Another key benefit of community programming is the level of community involvement. Many community programs require volunteers or partnerships from within the local community which fosters a culture of “we” versus “they,” where citizens feel accountable for helping their fellow neighbors. Therefore, strengthening ties between neighbors.

Successful community programming may lead to additional funding and/or development of programs in the future. Once evidence of successful results (positive) are seen by local government, business etc., it is typical that additional funding and resources will be made available to support future program development.

Investing in People to Build Resilient Communities

Community based programs serve an essential function to aid and assist youth and families. Community based programs through various forms of programming, mentoring, and creating a safe environment for youth and families work toward reducing barriers that exist in education, well-being and social development.

Through focusing on the needs of individuals and families, community based programs offer a comprehensive approach to providing support. In addition to immediate support, community based programs offer youth and families the skills, knowledge, and experience necessary for future growth.

With ongoing changes in our communities, the necessity for community-based programs is apparent. Community-based programs are a viable method of investing in people, building relationships and developing a more supportive and resilient society.