Being a youth advocate & ally

Being an advocate for youth

Over the course of my experience as an AmeriCorps Volunteer for the City of Redmond, I have had some excellent training on being an advocate for teens. I think it is important for all youth workers to remember that we are advocates for our youth that we serve. Here are some easy ways to advocate for youth within programming and outside of programming:

In programming:

1.       Listen to the teens and what they have to say: practice reflective listening as you would with another co-worker

2.       Don’t let teens put themselves down due to their age/limitations, remind them of what they have to offer in the community

3.       Allow teens to actively participate in programming that affects them & give them valuable tasks: note taking, facilitating a discussion, recruitment or helping plan an event

4.       Avoid adultism- that is dismissing teens ideas while thinking you know better simply because you are an adult

Outside of Programming:

1.       Smile and acknowledge teens in your day to day activities as you would other neighbors

2.       Don’t let other adults put down teens and pigeonhole them

3.       Comment to others about your job (remember to maintain confidentiality) and let others know how great teens are

Here is a good start to being an ally, what other suggestions do people have to being an ally for youth? Also, do you think that there is a difference between being an ally or advocate?