Learn how to engage and connect teens to their community.

1. CAUTION: TEENS!
Brave the Waters to engage your youth

2. WELCOME
 Engaging teens
 Empowering teens in your community
 Relating to teens
 Community Partners
 Community service ideas

3.  Don’t take it personally
 No matter what age you are
you will never be cool again
 Appreciate your wisdom even
though they might not
REALIZING YOUR OLD

4.  Allow them to own what you
want them to do
 Make them responsible for
their project, group, task, etc.
 Get to know their strengths
and weaknesses
 Always suggest never dictate
GIVE TEENS A PURPOSE

5. ENSURE THEIR VISION
 When forming a teen group
allow them to make the rules,
decide what their vision is going to
be, etc.
 If you are employing teen
volunteers engage a teen in
defining what that job role will be

6.  Engage teens by finding ways to
relate to them
 Be open to their flow and rhythm
 Listen to what they are talking
about:
• Movies
• Music
• Books
• Hot topics
EMBRACING THEIR YOUTH

7. FACILITATING SUCCESS
 Clearly define your role
 Give them structure
 Provide rules that are clear
and do not change
 Standards of Behavior
Agreements
 Parental input

8.  Find out what businesses and
local colleges offer for teens
 Invite local entities to
participate in your programing
 Ask teens what they want
from their community
ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY

9. COMMUNITY SERVICE
 Find ways for your teens to
give back
 Fundraisers for local families
 Holiday letters to local nursing
homes or military personnel
 How do they want to give back
to their community?

10. USING THEIR INTERESTS
IN PROGRAMING
 Book to movie events
 Writing contests
 Book trailers
 Use scenes from favorite
texts as a way to create an event
 Local book store signings

11. QUESTIONS?
Ask a teenager now while they
still know everything