What Can I Do Right Now?

1. Be available to talk to your own kids, their friends, your grandkids, your babysitter or youth in the neighborhood. Ask them what they like to do, what they are involved in, what they would like to do someday. Show them that you care.
2. Talk to your neighbors about including youth activities in your neighborhood association...If you don't have a neighborhood association, form one. Or start getting to know your neighbors by holding a root beer float night, potluck, day at the park...start building relationships.
3. Encourage your congregation to look at its practices to make sure they are youth friendly. If you provide nametags for adults, provide them for youth too. Publish a children's bulletin. Hold services for children. Tie asset building into religious education. Consider starting an outreach program offering structured activities for community youth. Involve youth in the planning of these things.
4. Look at your business policies and consider them in light of what will support families and their children. Purchase items you normally would (magazines, holiday items) from youth groups. Offer flexible work schedules. Provide reimbursement for employees who take parenting classes. If you employee teens, consider ways you can support their positive development. Provide training. Explain why you do, what you do in your business. Provide flexible scheduling to work around academic commitments and extra curricular activities.
5. Volunteer to help children at your local school, whether or not you are a parent. You can read with or to students, share information about your career or hobby or help with special projects.
6. Young people can help their peers and younger children in many ways. Invite a new student to join an activity you are involved in. Say hello to younger children and really listen to what they have to say. Compliment them. Look for opportunities to be a mentor, either formally or informally.
7. Provide leadership opportunities for youth; through your synagogue or church, your neighborhood, your school or your boy or girl scout troop.
8. If you don't do it already, start today by saying hello to young people!