Transforming Positive Youth Development: A Case for Youth Organizing

This study of the unique contribution organizing plays in a young person’s development is based on a two-year inquiry into 500 young people’s experiences using rigorous pre- and post-test methods to compare the developmental outcomes of young people engaged in organizing with those engaged in more traditional youth development programs.The report provides strong evidence that in their organizing work, youth organizing groups use and improve upon high quality, research-based youth development practices that not only drive significant growth in young people’s social-emotional learning, but also foster sociopolitical participation and advocacy.