Abstract
A statewide community club evaluation (youth self-report), empirically testing a logic model of factors influencing youth life skill development is described. Results supported that the way adult volunteers manage and mentor youth and explained how 4-H program features (e.g., youth sense of belonging, safety, and support) influence life skill development. Youth engagement in activities was also linked with life skills and organizational supports were linked with youth engagement in the model. Future directions based on the findings to be discussed include: (1) examining volunteer competencies to build upon in training; (2) use of SEM to understand the larger picture of youth programs; and (3) what the results tell us about: (a) creating quality club environments for youth; (b) providing youth with caring adult support systems; and (c) developing life and career skills through subject-matter topics.
Recommended Citation
Fogarty, Kate; Terry, Bryan; Pracht, Dale; and Jordan, Joy
(2009)
"Organizational Supports and Youth Life Skill
Development: Adult Volunteers as Mentors,
Managers and “Mediators”,"
Journal of Youth Development: Vol. 4:
Iss.
4, Article 7.
Available at:
https://open.clemson.edu/jyd/vol4/iss4/7
