Youth UW-Extension Youth Development teaches young people about skill building, responsibility, decision-making, problem solving and leadership. Through hands-on activities, youth explore life skills while enjoying to learn. The activities include civic engagement, environmental, entrepreneural, arts, gardening, multicultural thinking, pre-college and career exploration, and technology.

Our objective is to form community partners with schools, youth serving agencies, churches, and community groups to support youth development initiatives in the county. The focus is to build strong character and future leaders throughout the Greater Milwaukee Commuity.

WHAT IS YOUTH DEVELOPMENT?

One can define ‘youth development’ as:

'the ongoing growth process in which all youth are engaged in attempting to (1) meet their basic personal and social needs to be safe, feel cared for, be valued, be useful, and be spiritually grounded, and (2) to build skills and competencies that allow them to function and contribute in their daily lives."
(Pittman, 1993, p. 8)

This definition accurately describes youth development as a process that young people go through on the way to being an adult. As the definition implies that the journey should automatically involve the entire community as supporters of the youth. The Administration for Children and Famiilies states that when young people are nurtured by caring adults, are given opportunities to develop skills and are activily engaged in community activities, they become valuable contributors to the quality of community life. The 2002 National 4-H Conversation results support broad based community efforts to address youth issues. the five top initiatives for the Conversation include: 1) Establish safe places and environments for youth to convene and have positive learning and socializing experiences, 2) Increase the visibility of positive youth development experiences so that such opportunities continue to grow, 3) Promote positive youth activities and learning experiences, 4) Encourage parents to increase their involvement with their youth and 5) Ensure access to youth programs and educational opportunities for all youth, building respect, and tolerance. As the Youth Development Educator my role is to provide Milwaukee County residence with research-based features that support positive youth development as it pretain to efficacy, resilence and education and life skills in order to provide opportinities for skill building, integration of parent/family, school and community efforts.

Teacher talking to a class about African culture

African Diaspora Leadership Program
The African Diaspora Program fosters an African leadership, global education concept model. It has been created to provide middle and high school students with an understanding of Pan African leadership. Pan African leadership represent the aggregation of the historical, cultural, artistic and philosophical legacies of people of African decent. The program is designed to promote the rich culture and create a mutual kinship among all people of African decent. Our objective is to build leadership and cultural compentent whereas young marginalized students will begin to make a different in their lives and their community. The program components include: An African language, research projects, historical study of Africa and a simulated African Union Conference. Students will practice decision-making, problem solving, organizing and negotiating. The program will allows students to plan and prepare for global experiences and career exploration. For more information contact: Demetrius Brown Sr., 414 256-4620 or email. outline

Youth/Adult Leadership Training: How about getting your youth group involve in a leadership training program. The Youth Development program offers middle and high school youth an opportunity to enhance their leadership skills. Are you ready to Step Up to Leadership? This project will bring out the best in you and help you learn about what it takes to be a really good leader. Developing a positivie self image in a practical way has been reported as an ideal way for youth to become effective leaders. There are three core qualities to being a good leader: authenticity, self-expression and value clarification and creation. The Youth Leadership programs teaches young people life skills, entrepreneurship, civic engagement, conflict management and problem solving. The youth leadership program will provide youth and youth groups with practical leadership process. For more information on starting a training project with your youth contact Demetrius Brown Sr., (414) 256-4620;

Pre-college Programming: provide middle and high school youth with an opportunity to discover, prepare and plan for college and careers after completing high school. In today's global economy, high-wage paying jobs require some form of training or education past a high school diploma. The more education you have the more money you can make and the more job opportunities you will have.

How do you get from high school to your dream career? Youth Quest is a practical guide that takes youth through a step by step process for career exploration. As you work through the process keep in mind that career exploration is not a destination, but a life long journey. Each exercise is designed to teach you HOW to plan. as you grow and develop personally and professionally, so will your educational and career plans. To establish a partnership program contact Demetrius Brown @ 414 256-4620 Planning Next Step

Boys to Men programming: is a Rite of Passage that allow boys and girls to journey throught a transitioning process of self-discovery. It marks a time when a person reaches a significant change in his or her life. Most rites help people to understand thieir new roles in society and better perpare them for the future. As one learns self-discovery than one's able to lead a fulfilled and enriched life.

The Passage from middle to high school a transitional guide for eighth grade students and their families, as a more intentional way to honor this very important passage in a young person's life. Participants will be engaged in an in-depth process of self-examination as they begin the tranistion from middle to high school as a Freshmen Student. For more information contact: Demetrius Brown Sr. or Venice Williams @ 414 687-0122 or complete the attachment and return to the address listed. Brochure

Mini Society Training: is a "train the trainer" entrepreneurial program that targets educators and youth workers who work with school age children in grades 3-7. The MIni Society workshop will help to equip educators with providing children opportunities to experience entrepreneurship concepts, explore business processes, and integrate entrpreneurship with economics and social studies as part of their pedagogy. The Mini Society workshop trains educators to implement the curriculum that teach entrepreneurship, economics, government, and career planning. It also helps to build children use critical thinking and problem solving skills in a practical learning style. The next Mini Society Training will be held in February 2010. For more information contact: Demetrius Brown Sr. Brochure

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