The more youth engage in a community, the more they gain confidence, and grow into mature adults. Youth involvement is important because it makes youth feel accepted and it's also a way for youth to express their ideas and have a voice in the choices that are made. A few ways youth can get involved is by joining a youth group, community service, and look for opportunities for citizenship & leadership. When youth are involved in a program the adults can make them feel more comfortable. Adults can make youth more comfortable by letting them decide a project, as well as planning it, learn their names and also acknowledge them day to day, they can also be very passionate about what the youth are discussing, pay close attention, and become a helpful mentor or an advocate.
My name is Mercy Thompson. I live in Nashville, TN. I personally, have been working in youth groups for the past year, since June 2011. Being apart of a youth group makes me feel like I belong and that I do have a say so in what goes on in my community. Before I started working with a youth group, I felt like teenagers can't have a voice or do anything but now I see that we always have a say in what goes on.
