Youth Development is “the ongoing growth process in which all youth are engaged in attempting to (1) meet their basic personal and social needs to be safe, feel cared for, be valued, be useful, and be spiritually grounded, and (2) to build skills and competencies that allow them to function and contribute in their daily lives.” ¹

Youth employment programs are fundamental tools of a comprehensive youth development program, which, in turn, is a strategic and driving component of workforce and economic development efforts. According to the National Youth Employment Coalition (NYEC), studies have shown that early work experiences for young adults contribute positively to their earning capacity later in life and also promote educational attachment for low-income youth.²

Youth development refers to physical, cognitive, and emotional processes that youth undergo during adolescence. The competencies that youth begin to gain during adolescence can assist them as they transition to adulthood. Youth who master competencies across several domains will likely achieve desirable outcomes, including educational and professional success, self-confidence, connections to family and the community, and contributions to society. These areas of competency include:³

The Life Ventures Partnership will accomplish its mission by:
 

Development Dimension	Competency Area
Cognitive	Knowledge of essential life skills, problem solving skills, academic adeptness
Social	Connectedness with others, perceived good relationships with peers, parents, and other adults
Physical	Good health habits, good health risk management skills
Emotional	Good mental health, including positive self-regard; good coping skills
Personal	Sense of personal autonomy and identity, sense of safety, spirituality, planning for the future and future life events, strong moral character
Civic	Commitment to community engagement, volunteering, knowledge of how to interface with government systems
Vocational	Knowledge of essential vocational skills, perception of future in terms of jobs or careers

  ¹ Pittman, Karen J. co-founder of and Executive Director of the Forum for Youth Investment.
  ² “Designing and Implementing a Summer Youth Employment Program”. Neighborhood Networks Monthly Conference Call, April 27, 2004, www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/mfh/nnw/conferencecalls/apr_confcall.pdf. 12-26-07
  ³ National Research Council, Community Programs to Promote Youth Development. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 2002, pp. 6-7.