This document discusses strategies for youth empowerment in Danville, Virginia. It begins by defining youth empowerment as inspiring, challenging, and equipping youth to take charge of their lives. Over 22% of Danville's population is youth under 18, but their abilities are often overlooked, causing economic, creative, and civic setbacks. The document outlines focusing on assessing youth needs and interests, designing empowerment strategies, and engaging youth in the community. It describes holding a youth summit that provided inspiration, leadership opportunities, and recruitment for a health collaborative. Feedback from youth called for mentoring programs, career opportunities, and support from adults. The document recommends specific youth empowerment models and continued youth summits to increase social connections and reduce

1. YOUTH
EMPOWERMENT
STRATEGIES
ETINOSA SHARON OGHOGHO
GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY, SUMMER 2017

2. What is Youth Empowerment?
 Inspiring, challenging and equipping the youth
of this generation to take charge of their lives
and make effective changes
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3. Why Youth Empowerment?
More than 22% of youth <18 years make up the
Danville population
The youth abilities are usually disregarded
Thus, there is a setback economically, creatively and
civilly
3

4. Task
Assess the needs, interests and desires of youth
Research and design youth empowerment strategies
Discover ways that the youth can become more
actively engaged and connected to the community
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5. Methodology
 Mixed method approach
 Focus groups (5 totaling 40)
 Key informant interviews (6)
 Surveys (28)
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6. Youth Summit: Empowerment for Success
 Objectives:
 Inspire youth to do excellently
 To drive leadership and
involvement in the community
Youth assessment report
 Keynote speaker
 Breakout sessions and themes
 Recruitment for The Health Collaborative
(THC)
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7. Data from youth summit
0 2 0
28
NOT AT ALL A LITTLE SOMEWHAT A LOT
How much did you learn from this
program?
7
0 1
9
20
NOT AT ALL A LITTLE SOMEWHAT A LOT
How likely will you become engaged in
the community because of this event?
0 1 3
25
NOT AT ALL A LITTLE SOMEWHAT A LOT
Has this event inspire you to pursue
excellence in your academics?
50 % indicated they would like to
become members of the
community council

8. Feedback
 Reduced crime rate
 Healthy eating
 Physical Activity
 Accessible youth centers
 Career opportunities
 Mentoring programs
 Financial education
 Support from adults
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9. Opportunities
 Youth Empowered Solutions (YES) Model
Skill development, critical awareness and opportunities
 Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth (VFHY)
 Leading to Change (LTC)
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10. Recommendations
 Mentoring Programs
 Peer Based Programs- peer educators, peer supporters, and
peer leaders.
 Youth Summit
 Other opportunities for leadership
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11. Impact of Youth
Empowerment
 Increased social connectedness
and a sense of belonging
 Reduces mental health issues
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Children who had a mentor
were:
55% more likely to enroll in
college
46% less likely to use drugs
78% more likely to volunteer
regularly and
81% more likely to participate
in extracurricular activities

12. Thank you for listening
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