Mid-City CAN Youth Engagement and Leadership Model's role in Building Healthy Communities

Research shows that there has been a major shift in thinking on ways to conduct youth development. In an extensive review of the youth development literature, the Cornerstone Consulting Group noted that 25 years ago, the majority of funders, policy makers, educators and even parents would have put youth programs in the “nice, but not necessary” category. Ten years ago, a major shift occurred and programs accelerated from “nice” to “necessary” when research showed such programs are useful not only for problem prevention, but for growth and development and academic success. The youth of City Heights, San Diego did not concur that this critical shift in programs had occurred in their community. An initial survey of the City Height residents and youth conducted in 2009 indicated that reliable youth programs for development and mentoring were urgently needed (Score 10 of 10 in urgency). The youth felt that they had many unique skills (technology savvy, bilingual) but were not being tapped by adults. This presentation by the youth provides a brief summary of the Mid-City CAN (Community Action Network) Youth Engagement and Leadership Model (YELM) that was developed to nurture and guide 30 youth from City Heights studying in different high schools, under The California Endowment's Building Healthy California Initiative. The YELM was created by the youth and the adult mentors. In this presentation, the youth will share YELM and demonstrate through evidence how their participation in the model changed them from passive, disengaged youth to activists, advocates and educators.