Youth Leadership/Youth Community Development

4H/Extension Sites

  • CSREES-USDA-Youth
    Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) program information page.
    (http://www.csrees.usda.gov/qlinks/youth.html)
  • Children, Youth, Family Consortium (CYFC) Electronic Clearinghouse
    Use the Site Map to get to Community Partnerships and Adolescents. The Search feature is very useful. Created in 1992 by the Consortium and the Cooperative Extension System, CEC information is provided in part by the University of Minnesota and the University of Minnesota Extension Service. Searchable. (http://www.cyfc.umn.edu/)

  • Community Coalitions and Local Policy
    Has Wisconsin Youth Futures Technical Reports and Community Assesment Tools as well as Community focused Extension resources. From Policy Institute for Family Impact Seminars.
    (http://www.uwex.edu/ces/familyimpact/local.htm)
  • CYFERnet National Children, Youth & Family Network
    CYFERnet is a collaborative networking initiative among the Cooperative Extension System (CES), CSREES- USDA, and county governments. In this searchable network you'll find links to the five National Networks: Child Care, Health, Family Resiliency, Collaborations, and Literacy in Science and Technology. A great place to start looking!
    (http://www.cyfernet.org/)
  • Innovation Center for Community and Youth Development
    (http://www.theinnovationcenter.org/)
  • JOE: Journal of Extension
    Use the Search feature to find articles on +youth +leadership, etc. (http://www.joe.org/)
  • Leadership and Volunteer Development Base Program (CSREES)
    List of Relevant Programs of Excellence by States has good section of Wisconsin links under Youth Leadership and Development, Community Leadership, and Statewide Leadership Development Training.
    (http://web.aces.uiuc.edu/lvd/)
  • National 4H Council
    Under Programs are links to Community Building, Youth Partners and more. (http://www.fourhcouncil.edu/)
  • National 4H Headquarters
    Quick Links has 4H 101
    (http://www.national4-hheadquarters.gov/ )
  • Wisconsin 4-H Youth Development Programs
    Information for Volunteers, Youth, and Staff.
    (http://www.uwex.edu/ces/4h/)
  • 4HUSA.org
    For, by, and about 4H youth.
    (http://www.4husa.org/)

Child and Youth Advocacy

  • America's Promise: The Alliance for Youth
    Mission is "To mobilize people from every sector of American life to build the character and competence of our nation's youth by fulfilling Five Promises for young people: Caring Adults, Safe Places, Healthy Start, Marketable Skills, and Opportunities to Serve."
    (http://www.americaspromise.org/index.cfm)
  • Children Now: Child Advocacy
    "Utilizes research and mass communications to make the well being of children a top priority across the nation." Under Publications, News Media's Picture of Children is quite interesting.
    (http://www.childrennow.org/)
  • Children's Partnership
    Children and Technology and Building a Constituency for Children are programs on this site. Has a Parents' Guide to the Information Superhighway in English and Spanish.
    (http://www.childrenspartnership.org/ )

Community Coalitions

  • National Civic League
    Mission and history of the National Civic League (NCL), with descriptions and links to such programs as the Alliance for National Renewal, Community Assistance Team, and Healthy Communities Programs. Publications information is also available.
    (http://www.ncl.org/ncl/ )
  • Neighborhoods Online: National
    "Access to information and ideas covering all aspects of neighborhood revitalization, as well as to create a national network of activists and people in government working on problems that affect us where we live." (http://neighborhoodsonline.net/ )

Foundations and Organizations

  • Community Youth Development Journal
    Many articles are online from this journal from the National Association of 4-H Agents and the Forum for Youth Investment.
    (http://www.cydjournal.org/)
  • Constitutional Rights Foundation
    "Online Lessons" links to Service-Learning Network archives. "Links" takes you to Law-Related Education/Civics, Youth Courts links.
    (http://www.crf-usa.org/)
  • Corporation for National Service
    Works with " governor-appointed state commissions, nonprofits, faith-based groups, schools, and other civic organizations to provide opportunities for Americans of all ages to serve their communities." Learn and Serve America, AmeriCorps, and National Senior Service Corps are its major initiatives.
    (http://www.cns.gov/)
  • Council on Foundations
    What is a foundation, starting a foundation, resources for foundations and more are in this nonprofit membership association of grantmaking foundations and corporations.
    (http://www.cof.org)
  • Johnson Foundation
    "Foundation works with co-sponsors to bring groups of individuals together from around the world for (Wingspread) results-oriented conferences. The Foundation does not make grants." Located in Racine, WI.
    (http://www.johnsonfdn.org/)
  • Kellogg Foundation
    Look under Programming for 'Youth and Education' and 'Philanthropy and Volunteerism' programs and resources.(http://www.wkkf.org/)
  • Nonprofit Management Education Resources
    Check the Learner Resource Center/Nonprofit web sites for links in categories such as "How To Start a Nonprofit Organization" to "Getting Your Nonprofit Noticed On the Internet" to Volunteer Resources/Service Learning Centers". From UW Extension.
    (http://www.uwex.edu/li/)
  • Nonprofit Sector Research Fund
    "Awards research grants and organizes convenings to expand knowledge of the nonprofit sector and philanthropy, improve nonprofit practices, and inform public policy related to nonprofits." Projects and Findings link to useful studies of leadership, civic engagement and volunteerism, fundraising and more. (http://www.nonprofitresearch.org/index.htm)
  • Search Institute: Raising Caring and Responsible Children and Teenagers
    Has 40 assets that all young people need, how you can build assets, create an asset-rich community, and tools and resources for asset building. From "an independent, nonprofit, nonsectarian organization whose mission is to advance the well-being of adolescents and children by generating knowledge and promoting its application."
    (http://www.search-institute.org/)
  • Youth Crime Watch of America (YCWA)
    "Youth-led movement to create a crime-free, drug-free environment in our schools and neighborhoods." Getting started, nine components, and sustaining YCWA from this non-profit organization.
    (http://www.ycwa.org/index.html)
  • Youth Venture
    Encourages youth 12-20 to create their own ventures to improve their lives and communities.
    (http://www.youthventure.org/)
  • Youthlink.org
    The portal web site for the Global Youth ACTION Network(GYAN) (an incubator of global partnerships among youth organizations) and Youth in Action which runs U.S. GYAN activities. Youth in Action links to youth action guides, national youth conferences, and youth in action awards.
    (http://www.youthlinkmn.org/)

Leadership

  • Association of Leadership Educators
    Browse site to find relevant youth leadership conference proceedings papers and abstracts. Has links to some good leadership sites. (http://www.leadershipeducators.org/)
  • Community Toolbox Part E. Leadership, Management, and Group Facilitation
    How to improve leadership skills. 
    (http://ctb.lsi.ukans.edu/tools/EN/part_1005.htm)
  • Leadership and Organizational Development
    Several North Dakota Extension State University Extension Leadership Development Within Groups documents are available in full text.  (http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extpubs/leaddev.htm)
  • Leadership: Getting it Done
    An online full text book by Rex R. Cambpell, Professor of Rural Sociology at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Covers principles of voluntary leadership, traits of effective leaders, attributes of good listening, and more. (http://www.ssu.missouri.edu/faculty/
    RCampbell/Leadership/default.htm)
  • National Clearinghouse for Leadership Programs
    Under Resources are links to leadership conferences and events, leadership organizations, and leadership journals and newsletters. (http://www.nclp.umd.edu/)
  • National Youth Leadership Council
    Promotes service learning. Has great publications and videos for sale. Programs takes you to great sites.
    (http://www.nylc.org/)
  • Youth Leadership Initiative
    "Provides civic education classroom resources to teachers absolutely FREE OF CHARGE." "YLI is the signature program of the University of Virginia Center for Politics, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization."

Mentoring

  • Effective Practices Information Center
    Under Find a Practice are links to materials on mentoring and tutoring. An online
    database of effective program practices, sponsored by the Corporation for National Service.
    (http://www.cns.gov/resources/epicenter/index.html)
  • National Mentoring Partnership
    Become a Mentor, Be a Better Mentor, Find a Mentor, Run a Program, Take Action, and Find Resources are categories in this mentoring advocacy site with effective practices tips.
    (http://www.mentoring.org/)
  • Online Mentoring/Teletutoring Resources
    "The most comprehensive information available regarding online mentoring. Includes suggestions for pre-planning, a grid of key administrative tasks, the critical role that site managers (usually teachers) play in a successful online mentoring program, online safety standards, a list of more than 60 suggested activities for online mentors and proteges, links to other resources, a list of all online mentoring programs we know about, and more. These resources are updated frequently, and are being developed in collaboration with the National Mentoring Partnership. These resources are part of the Virtual Volunteering Project."
    (http://www.serviceleader.org/vv/direct/index.html)
  • Volunteers for Tutoring and Mentoring
    Chapter 4 of Helping At-Risk Youth: Lessons from Community-Based Initiatives, a 1997 report from the Urban Institute. (http://www.urban.org/family/helpyouth.html#chap4)

Volunteering/Community Service

  • FamilyCares
    "Promote compassion and the spirit of charity in children through hands-on family projects that help others in need." Free membership required to see volunteer project ideas. 
    (http://www.familycares.org/)
  • KidsCare
    Free membership required to see project ideas. Kids Care Clubs statistics are interesting.
    (http://www.kidscare.org/index.jsp)
  • Learn and Serve America
    National service grant program that supports service-learning across the country. (http://www.learnandserve.org/)
  • Points of Light Foundation and Volunteer Center National Network
    Getting Involved offers suggestions for volunteer projects. Youth materials cost money to get.
    (http://www.pointsoflight.org/)
  • Project America Action Guide to Community Service
    Handbook covers the basics of how to conduct a community service project. Building a team and developing a service project, ideas for service projects, managing volunteers, forming committees, budgeting and fundraising, publicizing a project,legal ssues, general volunteer and safety guidelines are covered. (http://www.project.org/publications/
    actionguide/actionframe.html)
  • Project America: Multipying the Power of People
    Project America works with corporations, large member organizations, national and local nonprofits, and communities to design collaborative service initiatives that involve people of all ages in volunteer efforts. Their publications, list of national service organizations, and alternative spring break opportunities are useful.
    (http://www.project.org/index2.html)
  • Prudential Spirit of Community Initiative
    Has Prudential's Youth and Adult Survey highlights on how youth and adults felt about volunteerism and community in 1995. Has useful section Volunteer Tips for Young People which has links to other national organizations with information for young volunteers. Has Teaching resources and Where to Volunteer links. (http://www.prudential.com/overview/0,1468,intPageID%
    253D4141%2526blnPrinterFriendly%253D0,00.html)
  • SERVEnet.Org
    Volunteer Resources has links to youth service statistics and trends in youth service. "Through SERVEnet, users can enter their zip code, city, state, skills, interests, and availability and be matched with organizations needing help. SERVEnet is also a place to search for calendar events, job openings, service news, recommended books, and best practices." Part of Youth Service America.
    (http://www.servenet.org/)
  • Service Leader
    Volunteer management and community engagement online resources. Includes great sections on Volunteer Management and Advice for Volunteers. A project of the RGK Center for Philanthropy and Community Service at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin, in cooperation with the Charles A. Dana Center.
    (http://www.serviceleader.org/)
  • Volunteer America
    "Connects individuals, families and groups with volunteer opportunities and volunteer vacations all across America." None listed for WI as of 3/29/01. (http://www.volunteeramerica.net/)
  • Youth Service America
    "A resource center and the premier alliance of 200+ organizations committed to increasing the quantity and quality of opportunities for young Americans to serve locally,nationally, or globally." Has resources for National Youth Service Day.
    (http://www.ysa.org/)

Youth Activism

  • 4-H Youth Development Projects: Citizenship
    Public Adventures is a new citizenship curriculum designed to help youth contribute to the world around them and develop a life-long commitment to active citizenship. From University of Wisconsin-Extension.
    (http://www.uwex.edu/ces/4h/citizenship/index.html)
  • Youth Activism Project National Clearinghouse
    Advice for Adult Allies is useful. Resource Central links to fund raising and publicity leads.
    (http://www.youthactivism.com/index.htm)
  • Global Youth Connect
    "Acting together for compassion, human rights and responsibilities." (http://www.globalyouthconnect.ca/ )
  • Youth in Action Network
    Has tips for creating surveys, petitions, contacting media and the government.. Has background information on various issues. Free registration allows you to use all the site, including creating online surveys and petitions. (http://www.teaching.com/act/)

Youth on Boards

  • Power of an Untapped Resource: Exploring Youth Representation on Your Board or Committee
    Twelve page .pdf booklet by Alaskan youth with great organizational adult and youth checklists. Covers preparing your board for youth membership, recruiting youth, determining responsibilities, educating the youth member, and other details.
    (http://www.aasb.org/PDF's/AASBPubs/HansB_bklt.pdf)
  • Youth on Board
    Produces materials and training on getting youth involved in organizational decision making. Resource Directory and Links takes you to extensive annotated list of other organizations and resources for getting youth involved. (http://www.youthonboard.org/)

Youth Philanthropy/Grantmakers

  • Grants Information Center
    UW-Madison Memorial Library collection of grant information on the web. (http://grants.library.wisc.edu/)
  • Indiana Youth Institute Grant Tips
    Alphabetical and subject listing of organizations offering grants. Need Adobe Acrobat to read these .pdf files.
    (http://www.iyi.org/grant_tips/main.asp)
  • Learning to Give
    Formerly the K-12 Education in Philanthropy Project developed by over 40 teachers in Michigan. Many detailed lesson plans and resources. (http://www.learningtogive.org/)
  • Michigan Community Foundations' Youth Project (MCFYP)
    Under link replicate takes you to information on youth philanthropy. Includes Starting a Youth Advisory Committee (YAC), YAC Best Practices, Helpful Documents for Youth Grantmakers which includes sample forms. (http://www.mcfyp.org/index_frames.html)
  • Student Service & Philanthropy Project: A Resource Guide for Establishing a Student-Run Foundation
    Fund raising ideas are given. Resource guide has detailed lesson plans and suggestions for activities. Setting up a foundation has units on teamwork, foundations, creating a project, and leadership.
    (http://www.learningtogive.org/sspp.shtml)
  • Youth Grantmakers Database
    Can search for youth raising funds and youth determining grants programs around the country.
    (http://nts1.novagate.com/cmf/Main3.htm)

General Children, Youth And Family Resources

  • Administration for Children and Families (ACF)
    Promoting the economic and social well-being of families, children, individuals and communities, the ACF brings together in one organization the broad range of federal programs that address the needs of children and families. The site is searchable by keyword or by selecting from a list of federal programs and offices. Provided by the US Dept. of Health and Human Services. (http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/)
  • Adolescence Directory On-Line (ADOL)
    Adolescence Directory On-Line (ADOL) is an electronic guide to information on adolescent issues. It is a service of the Center for Adolescent Studies at Indiana University for the use of educators, counselors, parents, researchers, health practitioners, and teens. Topics include conflict and violence, mental and physical health, counselor resources, and a teens only section. (http://education.indiana.edu/cas/adol/adol.html)
  • National Partnership for Women & Families
    Formerly the Women's Legal Defense Fund, NPWF promotes fairness in the workplace, quality health care, and family-friendly policies. Provides information on public policies such as the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Tracks Congressional activities affecting health care, the family, and the workplace. (http://www.nationalpartnership.org/)
  • UW Cooperative Extension Media Collection
    A centralized source of audiovisual materials for the use of Cooperative Extension agents in Wisconsin and their clients. Their catalog can be browsed under categories such as Adolescence, Child Development, Family Life and Relationships, Parenting, Drugs and Drug Abuse, Dramatic Arts, and Nutrition. Volunteers category contains 4H youth materials. (http://www.uwex.edu/ces/media/)