Bringing Youth into Programs

We might refer to the process of seeking youth participants to join a program as “recruitment”. However, “recruitment” signals particular kinds of relationships that are often hierarchical, eg. military recruitment.

1. Fostering Relationships

As we begin considering how we bring youth into programs, take a moment to reflect and draw a picture that depicts the kinds of relationships you want to foster in your youth program.

2. Reflecting on the language of program “recruitment”

Consider the language we use when bringing young people into programs.

For example, thinking about it as “inviting” youth may suggest a different kind of relationship than “recruitment”. What does “invitation” capture that is different from “recruitment”?

List some other words that might work as well. It might help to recall times you’ve been asked or invited to join something. What approaches and words worked well or did not?

3. Approaching invitation

How will you invite young people to be part of your program? Are there networks of people and organizations who might be able to share your program? Write them down here.