positive youth development

At the R.J. Leonard Foundation, we employ the Positive Youth Development (PYD) approach in our work with Fellows. This nationally recognized model is, as executive director Joelle Pitts puts it, “more than a strengths based approach.” We virtually sat down with Joelle recently to give you a better understanding of the approach and its use at the Foundation. 


What is your history with Positive Youth Development (PYD)?

I was introduced to PYD in 2004 when working at a group home for girls.  I immediately felt that this was an approach that aligned with my beliefs and values, and to top it off, my professional mentor was highly respected within the PYD field.  He frequently wrote and presented on the topic and was also a leader in introducing the concept at a national level (PYD is now a required programming component to receive RHY federal grant funding). 

I have since trained on PYD regionally and nationally, and implemented it in programming in multiple settings including a youth shelter, independent living programs and housing programs.  

What are the key elements of Positive Youth Development?


PYD is a mindset and a belief that young people are whole and not broken. There are four key elements. They are: 

• Control: Seeking control is a part of healthy development. When we embrace this idea we are able to let go of our need to try to control young people and can instead genuinely partner with them.  “Why say no when you can say yes”
• Safety:  Young people deserve both a safe environment and emotional safety. They cannot grow and connect with others until they feel safe. 
• Connectedness:  Young people need a social network - a sense of community and connection to others, and a person to call in the middle of the night.
• Opportunity:  Young people need opportunities to grow. Programming should be adapted so that it works for the young people served and builds off of their individual strengths. 
  
  
  

In your experience, how does employing a PYD approach impact the youth and young adults served? 

When truly treated like a partner, young people feel valued as a person and as the expert in their own life.  This makes them more likely to trust and build meaningful relationships. They begin to see strengths in themselves and can see how to connect those strengths to meaningful goals. Young people learn that their voice matters and that they can impact their lives and communities. All this builds self worth, a belief in a better future and the internal motivation needed to overcome the many barriers they face


What impact does adopting a PYD approach have on the professionals working with youth and young adults?

Employing PYD can be uncomfortable at first for professionals.  We train adults to think they can and should control young people and that controlling them is in their best interest.  Some people struggle to let that false sense of control go.  
However, adults that embrace this approach tend to have deep, meaningful connections to young people. They build trust more quickly and are better at helping  young people problem solve and goal plan. 


How does the R.J. Leonard Foundation incorporate PYD into its work with young adults aging out of the foster care system? 

Everything we do at RJLF is rooted in PYD and therefore is very intentional, individualized, strengths-based and meaningful.  For example: 

• Matching:  We match based on what the Fellow feels is best for them, not just on the volunteers we have already have available.  This gives the Fellow control and makes the relationships more meaningful and lasting. 
• Conection:  We connect our Fellows with our connections, networks and communities, so that they are able to build their social network. 
• Goal Planning:  We help Fellows identify what they are good at and what they want to do long-term, so that they can embark on a career path that is meaningful for them. 
• Family: We normalize the idea that family is however you choose to define it. We celebrate our Fellows’ victories like a family would and continue to support and love them even when they make mistakes, struggle and hurt.