YOUTH ENGAGEMENT

Overview

• History of youth engagement in the U.S.• Issues of youth engagement in non-profit organizations• Importance of youth engagement

What Is A Non-Profit Organization?

• No share holders  • 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Status

 • Rely heavily on fund-raising to survive

 • Rely heavily on volunteers for programs

HISTORY OF YOUTH ENGAGMENT

Newsboy Strike - 1899

Effects of the Newsboy Strike

• First demonstration of power of youth  • Other youth workers spoke out

 • Eventual establishment of labor laws for youth

The Power of Youth in U.S. History

• 1930's - National Youth Congress formed •  1962 - Port Huron Statement released

 • 1971 - Passage of 26th amendment

 • 1980's - Rise of upper-middle class youth

www.americanlegacy.org

YOUTH ENGAGEMENT TODAY

Legal Barriers Non-profit Marketing To Youth

The State of Youth Engagement In 2007

Youth Engagement Today: 2007 Report

Salt Lake City is #2 for volunteering. Minneapolis beat us by 1%34% or 9,500 16 to 24 year-olds volunteered 1 hour or more

Over 75% volunteered with a religious or educational organization

Why did 18,500 youths not volunteer in 2007?

Volunteeringinamerica.gov - 2007 Salt Lake City Profile

Legal Barriers To Youth Engagement

Utah Child Labor Laws• Limited hours for 16's to 18's• Under 16 is more restricted• 17 occupations restricted to over 18's

(Utah Code Ann. §34-23-1)

Liability• Higher Insurance Costs• More Supervision Required

The cost of youth engagement is often too high

One Legal Standard

"...the justification for applying the child labor rules to volunteers is stronger than the justification for applying the minimum wage and maximum hour rules.” 

"Each state enforces its own child labor provisions, some of which impose restrictions more severe than federal law."

- Managing Volunteers Within the Law. US Department of Education 

Two Sets of Laws

48% of Non-profits operate on less than $5 million 20% are below $1 million

Marketing Priorities & Youth Engagement

44% had marketing budgets under $50,000

How do you engage & retain 18,500 first time youth volunteers if membership is 3rd in line?

STRATEGIES FOR YOUTH ENGAGEMENT

UTAH'S DIVERSE CLASSROOMS: A Starting Point

Elementary, Middle & High School Awareness

(Jon Naso, The Star Ledger/Corbis)http://www.youthactivism.com

Wasatch Community Gardens Youth Engagement

• Experiential Education and youth programs• Youth as volunteers • Networking non-profit organizations and local agencies

Wasatch Gardens.org

Wasatch Gardens Afilliates

   • Capitol West Boys and Girls Club    • Homeless Shelter's Treshaw School• Comprehensive Psychological Services   • Horizonte Instruction and Training Center• Girl Scouts of America   • Indian Walk-In Center• Kiwanis-Felt Recreation Center   • Jewish Community Center• Lincoln Elementary After-School Program   • Neighborhood House• Neighborhood Housing Services   • Odyssey House Children's Program• Northwest Multipurpose Center     • Sugarhouse Boys and Girls Club• Sorenson Multi-Cultural Center     • Valley Mental Health's CBTU Program• YWCA's Battered Women's Shelter     Valley Mental Health's ARTEC• YMCA     Youth Corrections' Genesis Program• Youth Works     Youth Support Systems Project Link• Youth Corrections' Observation and Assessment• Youth Corrections' Detention Alternatives for Responsible Teens (DART)• Central High Schools Safe School Training and Education Program (SSTEP)• Youth Services' Knowledge Enhances Your Success (KEYS)