Youth Organizations & the “I Care” Parental Involvement Character Curriculum Model
One of the primary purposes of youth organizations, from YMCA/YWCA to 4H, Boys and Girls Clubs to at-risk programs, and teen centers is to bring a diverse community together around common values and goals. The reasons are simple. On a daily basis, today’s children and youth face ethical issues related to substance abuse, teen pregnancies, youth violence, and dangerous fads, to name a few. The best way to address these is by developing a sense of responsibility, self-worth, and values around sound decision making. “I Care” provides a structure and strategies for doing this.
Role of Youth Organizations
- Partner with schools and community in sponsoring “I Care” activities
- Involve participating children and youth as mentors to their peers
- Sponsor character “summits,” challenging children, youth, family, and the community to pass character on to others
- Post and discuss monthly character traits
Benefits to Youth Organizations
- Goals and strategies reinforced by emphasis on character development at home, in the schools, and in the community
- New ideas for working with children and youth
- Unprecedented opportunities for dialogue, cooperation, and joint ventures with schools, parents, and other communtiy groups around a common goal
