The Community Youth Development Program works to strengthen community environments for Wisconsin youth and emerging adults. The Community Youth Development Program focuses on creating space for youth voice and action, and on preparing youth for and engaging youth in community leadership. The program also builds community capacity to address needs and issues that affect youth through Extension’s partnerships, coalitions, and community education roles.
Youth Voice and Action
Youth Voice and Action youth are learning about community issues and taking action in local communities across Wisconsin with the support of Extension staff, volunteers, and community partners.
Advising Local Government
We want to help youth grow and develop their leadership skills. Our Youth in Governance program helps them do just that. In this program, youth hold leadership positions within organizations, local government and serve in their communities. Holding leadership positions helps youth have a voice in decisions that affect them.
Restorative Justice Programs
Restorative justice programs serve as an important avenue for youth to contribute to efforts that repair relationships and elevate youth image in the community through Teen Courts and other approaches. Youth leaders use their own experiences to help young people change behavior and also learn about issues so they can assist in shaping policies for positive impact.
Youth as Partners in Civic Leadership
The Youth as Partners in Civic Leadership Conference (YPCL) advances youth voice in Wisconsin by increasing the capacity for youth and adults to share civic leadership in local communities, schools and organizations. Conference participants advocate for a youth voice and build mentoring, networking and learning opportunities.
Promoting Physical, Social and Emotional Health
Promoting physical, social, and emotional health with youth serving on community coalitions to address alcohol and other drug abuse, learning about how they can support others at risk of suicide, and taking action to promote community health through changing policy and practice as Youth Advocates for Community Health.
Juntos Wisconsin
Juntos (pronounced “Who-n-toes”) means “Together” in Spanish and works to unite community partners to provide Latino 8-12th grade students and their parents with knowledge, skills, and resources to prevent youth from dropping out and to encourage families to work together to gain access to college.
Contact Us
For more information about Community Youth Development Programs, contact Joe Maldonado.
