Supporting Volunteerism in Youth Development Programs:  Progress and Prospects for Advancing the Knowledge Base

Volunteers are essential to the viability of a large segment of youth development programs. Yet, research on this topic has been relatively limited and it has not thus far congealed into a cohesive area of study. The contributions to this special issue advance our understanding of a number of important issues having to do with volunteerism in youth programs and provide a solid foundation for catalyzing both the further generation of knowledge in this area and its practical application. One priority should be to more rigorously establish and delineate suggested connections among program practices, volunteer skill development, behaviors, and experiences, and the outcomes of participating youth. There also is a need to substantially broaden the scope of programs studied in order to clarify both areas of generalizability and dynamics that may vary as a function of volunteer contexts and roles. Finally, as the knowledge base matures, translational research is needed to apply this knowledge to the design of supports for volunteerism in youth development programs and to rigorously evaluate the effectiveness of these strategies.

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Positive Youth Development: Processes, Programs, and Problematics

Journal of Youth Development ◽

10.5195/jyd.2011.174 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 38-62 ◽

Cited By ~ 44

Author(s):

Richard M. Lerner ◽

Jacqueline V. Lerner ◽

Selva Lewin-Bizan ◽

Edmond P. Bowers ◽

Michelle J. Boyd ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Youth Development ◽

Positive Youth Development ◽

Developmental Process ◽

Theoretical Models ◽

Youth Programs ◽

Positive Development ◽

Development Programs ◽

Youth Development Programs ◽

Development Processes ◽

Diverse Youth

Using the tripartite conception of positive youth development (PYD) suggested by Hamilton (1999) – as a developmental process, a philosophy or approach to youth programming, and as instances of youth programs and organizations focused on fostering the healthy or positive development of youth – we review different theoretical models of the developmental process involved in PYD. In addition, we review the ideas for and the features of youth development programs aimed at promoting PYD. We discuss the need for research interrelating different, theoretically-predicated measures of PYD and, as well, the importance of clear links between models of the PYD developmental process and of the youth development programs seeking to enhance PYD among diverse youth. We discuss several conceptual and practical problematics that must be addressed in order to integrate the three facets of PYD scholarship.

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Volunteerism in Youth Development Programs: Editors' Note

Journal of Youth Development ◽

10.5195/jyd.2020.984 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (4) ◽

pp. 1-5

Author(s):

JoLynn C. Miller ◽

Kali Trzesniewski

Keyword(s):

Youth Development ◽

Skill Development ◽

Development Research ◽

Development Programs ◽

Special Issue ◽

Youth Development Programs ◽

Research And Practice ◽

Development Organizations ◽

Development Support

Youth development programs are varied and diverse. Some rely on paid staff to deliver programming, but many rely on volunteers. While there is quite a bit of research on volunteers and volunteerism in general, there is little that goes in depth covering the nuances of volunteers in youth development organizations. The editors of this special issue introduce the articles, which cover themes of understanding the impacts of volunteers, volunteer competencies and skill development, support and motivation of volunteers, and evaluation of programs. In addition, a book review and a closing reflection are included. Finally, the editors close with their thoughts about exciting directions for the future of volunteer development research and practice.

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Editorial

Queensland Review ◽

10.1017/qre.2017.2 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 24 (1) ◽

pp. 1-4

Author(s):

Kathryn Seymour

Keyword(s):

Youth Development ◽

Youth Programs ◽

Positive Development ◽

Development Programs ◽

Special Issue ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Unique Approach ◽

Children And Young Adults ◽

Different Dimensions ◽

Independent Practitioner

This special issue of the Queensland Review is devoted to exploring the conceptual and practical implications of bold new Queensland research on youth development programs that has genuine global relevance. The articles in this issue, from leading and emerging Australian and international scholars and practitioners, explore and unfold the different dimensions of this Queensland research for an Australian and global audience of youth researchers, practitioners, policy-makers and general readers. By bringing scholars together with paid and volunteer practitioners to contribute to this special issue, Queensland Review takes a unique approach to exploring youth programs. The independent practitioner voice — especially the volunteer practitioner voice — is largely absent from the scholarly forum, and this issue brings aspects of practitioners’ anecdotal and evidential work to the fore. The articles enable practitioners to share with us how they experience and understand their work with young people, other practitioners and communities. Overall, the scholarly and practitioner contributors to this issue of Queensland Review explore key questions and challenges inherent in the work adults do with children and young adults in youth programs designed to foster their positive development.

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