Involving Youth in Community Development

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Involving Youth in Community Development

• Will Andresen
• Iron County

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Why?

• Better Planning Process
• Better Plan
• Better Community

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Iron County Age Cohorts
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Number of Youth Assets
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Red Flags!

• What Percent of Youth Respondents Agreed with
  these Statements?
• Young People are Given Useful Roles in the
  Community
• Adults in the Community Value Youth

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How?

• Appoint Youth to Boards and Committees
• Create Youth Advisory Boards
• Provide Youth Leadership Training
• Involve Youth at Critical Stages of the Planning
  Process

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What Did the Youth Think?

• I really enjoyed having this opportunity to
  express what I feel. It really is a great
  experience!!
• I believe it went very well and enjoyed voicing
  my opinions. I was glad I was part of this. The
  adult members were very kind and listened. I
  believe that our ideas will work out.

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What Did the Adults Think?

• This process has to continue. The youth must be
  involved in planning.
• All of the topics have been relevant and useful
  to the development of our area and future
  leaders.
• More youth involvement in the future.

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Outcomes

• Media Exposure
• Planning Commission Attention
• Identification of New Issues in Planning Process
• Youth Involvement in Local Community Development
  Projects
• Looking to the Future

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Does it Matter?

• In some cases, the retention of one additional
  high school student per year can stabilize the
  population.
• Heartland Center for Leadership Development
  (2003)