Change Starts With Youth

Howdy! Now, more than ever, youth need to become more involved with their communities.  While youth involvement has increased in Stockton, we need more.  When youth are more involved with their communities, they are able to help in improving their town, as well as make a change.  Stockton has recently begun receiving AmeriCorps members to improve youth development, and the community leaders have worked to form the “Youth Development Manifesto” in 2019.  When youth get involved with their communities, they are more likely to return to their hometown after they graduate, they college.  Volunteering can also help youth find a career that they may be interested in and may also serve as a hobby. I have personally selected three different volunteer organizations that youth, or anyone, can volunteer with in town.  Boggs Tract Community Farm Operated through PUENTES whose mission is to “share opportunities in sustainable agriculture to...

Hello readers! I am Liz Malone and I am a third year student at University of the Pacific.  I am majoring in English and minoring in Ethnic Studies and Teaching Professions, meaning I will be graduating with my teaching credential and will soon be on my way to teaching my own class soon.  I started this blog as a resource for educators, future educators, and people who work with youth in general for different programs.  While I may not be an expert on youth development, I plan on using my experience in the classrooms I have volunteered in, as well as my experience with the non-profit Changeist, to use as content for my posts.  I will also be using articles and books, as well as interviewing local influential people who work with youth. My focuses when it comes to youth development is student-centeredness, social issues, and community engagement.  In order for our youth to make a change in the world, they need to feel like they matter, a...