April 2010

Bright Idea: Leadership Programs Enable Middle Schoolers to Make Their Mark

Two years ago, a Connecticut seventh-grader named Peter helped his community’s senior citizens through a treacherous winter. A member of Lisbon Central School’s “student ambassador” program, which places students on local civic committees, Peter was serving on Lisbon’s Commission on Aging.

Primary Sources: Through Community Service, Youth Make Friends and Influence People

Two recent articles in 4-H's Journal of Youth Development highlight the ways young people benefit from participating in community service programs. Such programs, if organized around a youth-centered philosophy, can empower young people, helping them to gain confidence, social skills and friends.

(Publications discussed here do not necessarily reflect the views of NCFY, the Family and Youth Services Bureau or the Administration for Children and Families.)

Right on the Money: Good Stewardship Equals Good Management

In the vernacular of nonprofit fundraising, stewardship means building and maintaining good relationships with donors and volunteers. The hope is that they’ll make additional contributions of money, time and effort to the organization in the future.

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