We often refer to youth as “at risk.” Being at risk can mean
different things to many people.
Youth can be at risk for failing in school, for using drugs, for
contemplating suicide or for getting pregnant. But do we really
understand the factors involved with being “at risk?” Possible
factors might be poor academic performance, lack of positive role
models, chronic depression, poor social skills or lack of parental
support.
This factor list seems a bit daunting for people such as myself
who work with youth. How do you begin to sort out the “problems”
and issues facing youth? Can we really relate to these youth at
risk? After all, we might not have had the same problems in our
lives.
I think that identifying issues facing youth is an important
start in developing opportunities for youth to grow and learn.
However, I believe that is where the “labeling” should end. If a
child is referred to as a youth at risk, this, in my mind, can make
the problems only worse.
Being called a youth at risk is not very encouraging. Would you
want to be called an adult at risk? Would this label encourage you
to learn new skills or seek better opportunities?
Why not refer to youth as resources?
As a youth development professional, I believe this is my
charge. I must focus on the tremendous resources that youth have,
such as humor, coping skills and intelligence. If we recognize
these attributes in youth, they will be encouraged to make changes
in their lives, and we will feel that we are partners with them
rather than adults trying to “fix” problems.
This approach is encouraging for adults and youth as they work
together to overcome factors that put youth at risk.
The 4-H Youth Program uses a positive approach to further
development. We are in the business of identifying youth strengths
and partnering with them to accomplish goals.
The 4-H Program has youth at risk involved in the program,
however, we do not focus on the risks but on the resources
instead.
Our adult volunteers work side by side with youth to establish
goals, complete activities and to evaluate
accomplishments.
The determined goals could be in the subject areas of
electricity, foods and nutrition, livestock or horticulture. The
subject area is not as relevant as the life skills that are being
developed as a result of completing the subject. We are encouraging
the skills of goal setting, completing tasks, working with others
and public speaking.
The 4-H Youth Program can be a tremendous resource for youth and
adults as they work together to make positive changes. The 4-H
motto is “to make the best better.” Your skills can help obtain
this goal, call us to become a 4-H volunteer.
Kimberly Coldicott is a 4-H Youth Development and Outreach
Extension agent with Colorado State University Cooperative
Extension Service in Douglas County.