Youth-Adult Partnerships

Service-learning involves working with adults outside the home or school environment. It is important to know how to build effective partnerships with everyone you encounter while working on a service-learning project.

Here are some characteristics of effective youth-adult partnerships (NYLC,1999):

Respect:  You give it, you receive it!
Mutual respect and an appreciation for each members contributions to the partnership are vital.

• A culture of respect shatters stereotypes based on age.
• Young people respect adults who listen and ask challenging questions.
• Adults respect young peole who invite them to share their skills, experiences, and resources.
• A culture of respect provides all participants to act on their dreams and learn from their mistakes.

Communiction: Listen Up!
An honest and open exchange of ideas is crucial.

• Young people are best heard when adults step back and young people speak up.
• Adults are best heard whe they are straight up and explain where they are coming from.
• All people's ideas and opionions are valuable and must be heard.
  

Investment: It takes time!
Investing in the future is accepting young people as leaders today.

• Young people and adults must first set their fears aside and take a chance on each other.
• Adults must provide young psople with the information, training and support they will need to succeed. They must also develop theri own abilities to work with young people.
• Young people must commit their time and energy to do the work and be willing to learn from adults.
  

Meaningful Involvement:  Count us in! 
Decisions about young people should be made with young people.

• Involving young people from the beginning builds ownership.
• Adults need to support young people in taking on responsibility.
• Reflection helps everyone appreciate the importance of their work - for themselves, for their program, and for their community.