Communities Promoting Health Coalition

Client Service Center
510 Cumberland Avenue
Portland, Maine 04101
800-698-4959
207-553-5800
Fax: 207-874-1155
TTY: 207-874-1013

Youth

Why Involve Youth

Did you know that youth make up 26% of the U.S. population? The youth can be our experts...let's listen to them.

  • Young people have a right to be consulted about decisions that will effect their lives, and will have unique insights into the strengths and weaknesses of a project aimed at youth.
  • Young people are fun to be with and can teach you a lot.
  • A youth perspective is different than an adult one and in the spirit of "two heads are better than one", multiple perspectives are helpful when trying to create a change or solve a problem.
  • Involving youth in authentic ways offers them opportunities to build skills and have leadership experiences that can influence their future choices and possibilities for school and work.
  • Involving youth lets them know that you are "walking your talk" about their importance to you and your iniative.
  • Youth have energy and creativity that when tapped can transform a project, community, school or any environment.
  • Youth make great peer & community educators and can creatively get a message across - to younger students, peers, parents, and community leaders.
  • Involving young people builds sustainability - young people who today build the skills and interest to lead tommorrow.
  • Involving youth in authentic ways can take more time, energy and creativity than doing a project alone, the rewards are big. It is essential to have a strong understanding of the value of involving youth to keep you motivated when barriers arise.

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