How can faith communities get involved?

Try to offer a menu of options with varying degrees of commitment. Religious leaders can help the initiative by opening the door for you to spread the word about youth development to their congregations, or by helping you build support in the larger community.

  • Offer to give a program on youth development or youth-adult partnership to an adult education class or youth-adult gathering.
  • Offer to give a presentation to a youth group.
  • Offer to write an article about positive youth development for the congregation’s newsletter.
  • Host an event specifically for clergy and religious leaders where they can learn about youth development and network with each other
  • Ask that they provide space for meetings or events.
  • Ask religious leaders to join delegations to meetings with government officials.
  • Invite representatives from the congregation or youth group to initiative meetings.

Why Should Youth Development Initiatives Connect with Faith Communities?

Faith communities may share your vision. Many religious communities are committed to making the world a better place for children, to developing youth leadership, and to making a difference at the local level.

Faith communities are connected to youth. Many sponsor youth groups, and frequently these groups are active or interested in social change and community service. Congregations like these have a wealth of experience and connections to bring to your initiative.

It’s good to have Faith on your side. When you are lobbying for community policy change, it’s good to have the clout and strong community ties that many faith communities bring to the table.

Community Youth Development initiatives share many values and may share goals with faith communities:

Belonging and connection. Through community collaboration we can create a greater sense of belonging and connection for youth in our community.

Building character. Together we can help youth develop values and character that will serve them now and as adults.

Opportunities for service. The Youth Development initiative and faith communities all seek to provide meaningful opportunities for youth to make a difference and develop leadership through service.

Building community. By helping adults and youth connect in a positive way, we are building community for adults and youth together.

Talking Points for Engaging Faith Communities

Describe who you are succinctly

“Our initiative brings local organizations together to make our community a great place to grow up. Through our initiative, adults and youth take action together to create a community that values young people and builds the skills they need for healthy and fulfilling lives.”

What’s in it for the faith community ?

  • Resources for working with youth: “Our initiative can offer new tools and resources for engaging youth in meaningful opportunities.”
  • Intergenerational relationships: “Our initiative provides new pathways for strengthening inter-generational relationships.”
  • Community outreach: “Participation in our initiative may help your faith community develop broad-based community connections, allowing for outreach through shared values and service.”
  • Community clout: “As our initiative achieves success and visibility, our partners will build clout within the community.”
  • Making a difference: “Our initiative provides a significant opportunity to make a difference for youth well-being, health, and community connectedness.”

Including Faith Communities: Dos and Don’ts

Do check an interfaith calendar before scheduling meetings and events at which you hope to have participation from members of faith communities. One resource on the web: http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/tools/calendar/ . (Be sure to read the fine print about when holidays actually begin.)

Do welcome and include all faith communities to your initiative—not just majority denominations.

Don’t focus strictly on the clergy. Lay leaders, religious educators, and youth group leaders may be equally valuable and may have more time to offer.

Further Resources

The Search Institute offers youth development resources specifically for faith communities.