Published by the Innovation Center for Community and Youth Development, this booklet explores the complex links between youth development, community engagement, and social justice. The United States (US)-based Innovation Center has been studying these links through partnerships with local and national organisations, universities, foundations, and businesses. The stories in this book highlight the work of Innovation Center partners to engage, empower, and strengthen young people and their communities - in big cities, small towns, and rural communities.

Table of Contents:

Introduction

PART ONE: Youth Development and Community Engagement
Strategy 1: Develop young people's connections to their own identity, culture, and community
Strategy 2: Recognize that young people are assets to and experts about their communities
Strategy 3: Engage young people as community leaders on issues that matter to them
Strategy 4: Bring young people and adults together to work as equal partners

PART TWO: Community Organizations and Social Justice
Strategy 1: Inspire action and partnership among all members of a community
Strategy 2: Develop the capacity of the organization to plan, implement, and achieve its goal
Strategy 3: Create changes that can be sustained and supported over the long haul

Partnering with the Innovation Center

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February Monthly Message from Wendy Wheeler of the Innovation Center, February 27 2009; and Innovation Center website.