VCRHYP’s statewide network ensures that youth have guaranteed access to age-appropriate emergency shelter in every region of Vermont.
Be a Youth Advocate
Youth advocates seek to expand resources available to all youth, promote youth access to information and services, and encourage ideas that serve youth needs. You can become an effective voice for youth in your community by providing young people with positive outlets to express their views.
By offering leadership opportunities for youth in your community, you can help youth become invested stakeholders. Youth who participate in their community achieve at higher academic levels, hold higher expectations for them-selves, experience greater self-confidence, are more optimistic about the future, and become productive and active members of their communities.
In your own community, you can
* encourage local leaders to involve young people in measuring how well the community supports youth, and work together to improve services.
* work to appoint youth to community task forces, invite young people to testify about bills & ordinances that affect them, and prompt young people to suggest ideas for new legislation.
Write letters to your congressman and elected officials urging him or her to support increased funding for youth programs.
Work with your school system to help them adopt policies, procedures and teaching methods that engage young people fully. When teachers and administrators include and listen to students, students learn by doing and become more invested in improving their school. Students can provide insight into everything from instructional methods to school climate to curriculum. Encourage your local school board to appoint youth representatives and support school programs that engage youth in activities that nurture their talents, skills and interests.
Encourage business leaders to teach young people skills they will need for successful employment.
Hire a youth to work at your place of business.
Offer job training to help youth develop marketable skills.
Offer internships and mentored employment for young people.
Provide job-shadowing experiences.
Ask youth to train older employees on new technologies.
Bring youth with you to local business association meetings.
Offer startup grants for youth-run businesses and assist them in developing a plan for reaching their goal.
Young people have the right to be safe and healthy within relationships, free from physical or emotional coercion. Adults can demonstrate respect for young peoples’ relationships and help them gain the emotional and communication skills they need to establish and sustain healthy relationships by modeling healthy, trusting relationships.
Above all, meaningful advocacy begins with listening to young people.
The Positive Youth Development 5 promises:
- Caring Adults: Foster relationships with caring adults, (parents, mentors, tutors or coach’s) who offer youth support, care and guidance.
- Safe Places: Create and identify safe places with structured activities that provide a space for youth to learn and grow.
- A Healthy Start and Future: Adequate nutrition, exercise and health care pave the way for healthy bodies, healthy minds, and smart habits for adulthood.
- Effective Education: Learning marketable skills through effective education help youth navigate the transition from school to work successfully.
- Opportunities To Help Others: Provide youth opportunities to give back to the community through service. This enhances self-esteem, boosts confidence and heightens a sense of responsibility to the community.