TIPS For Working with Youth in Community Development Projects

The Role of the Project Coordinator

Some of the qualities and skills needed in a project coordinator are:

• leadership qualities based on firm personal principles,
• ability to be a role model for the vision of the youth,
• a belief in the capacity of youth,
• ability to remove blockages to youth empowerment,
• genuine,
• flexible,
• resourceful,
• ability to transfer power to the participants without being threatened,
• ability to be a friend and adviser at the same time,
• willing to work long and flexible hours,
• sense of humour,
• reliable,
• ability to talk on a person-to-person basis rather than on an adult-to-child basis,
• creative,
• good listener,
• open to criticism, and
• ability to help the group find win-win solutions to problems.

One of the most important roles of the project coordinator is to ensure that the needs of youth are attended to at each stage of the project. These needs include the following:

• respect for culture and individual differences,
• caring,
• opportunities for participation,
• choice, responsibility and
• security.

The personal wellness of the coordinator is closely associated with the success of the project. The coordinators must be willing to participate in their own healing journeys and open themselves up to the important role they play as mentors and role models.

Respect and faith in the abilities of youth are the two most important ingredients to establishing a positive relationship with youth.

The project coordinator should try to connect the project to as many resources (e.g., mentors, volunteers, service providers, private-sector contributors) as possible.

The Role of Mentors

Mentor - An Experienced And Trusted Friend And Adviser

Mentors can be used in different ways with youth throughout the project. They can work as coaches with youth on short- or long-term jobs. They can provide technical expertise as well as support to youth. Mentors can complement the abilities of the project coordinator.

Mentors should be chosen by the youth. Their responsibilities should be described in detail. The mentors should be available over an extended period of time to work developmentally with the youth.

The project should look for mentors with the same personal qualities of character and integrity that are required of the project coordinator and other adults in the process

. It may be necessary to pay mentors if they are expected to be with the project for a length of time. The group may ask them to volunteer if the commitment is only for a short time. When mentors are being paid, the job descriptions, contract and payments should be made by the youth as a learning activity.

Mentors should be introduced to the training and coaching roles of the project before working with youth.

Mentors should be brought into the project as early as possible to establish connections with the youth.