Our approach for working with youth is based on research and built on the principles and objectives of youth development as the foundation.  There are many definitions for youth development, but the one that speaks volumes to us is adapted from the National Youth Employment Coalition (NYEC) and the National Collaboration for Youth (NCY):

                 Youth Development is a process which prepares young
                  people to meet the challenges of adolescence and adulthood
                  through a coordinated, progressive series of activities and
                  experiences which help them to become socially, morally,
                  emotionally, physically and cognitively competent.

There are a myriad of issues facing adolescents and youth today that did not exist 20 years ago, such as the power and influence of the media, increased number of children subjected to abuse and neglect, children of substance abusing parents, the high incidences of violent and acting out behaviors by our youth and the power and influence of peers.  And the list goes on.  The thread that links these and other social and health related issues are the use and abuse of Alcohol, Tobacco and Illicit Drugs (ATOD) by our children and their parents and/or caregivers.

At The Alliance, we view adolescents and youth as the resources they are and not simply objects or recipients of services.  Therefore, we make every effort to include youth in every aspect of programming geared to them from assessment, conceptualization, development, implementation to evaluation and sustainability.  We promote activities that seek to reduce risk factors by enhancing protective factors and a wide range of developmental needs supported by reality-based assumptions about youth.  These assumptions include the notion that youth can make responsible decisions if given honest, science- and/or research-based information and education.  While abstinence education is important, we believe that abstinence only may not be a realistic alternative for all youth.

In keeping with the core concepts of youth development, The Alliance is about people, programs, institutions and systems who provide all youth, "at risk" or not, with the supports and opportunities they need to empower themselves.

We seek to help youth build skills and alter negative behaviors centered around the belief that they can exert control over their motivation, behavior and social environment (self-efficacy) based on the following four goals:

1.  To help our children feel good about themselves.
2.  To help our children realize they are special.
3.  To help our children understand the importance of making good choices and thinking for    
     themelves.
4.  To help our children understand the harmful effects of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs and their
     linkage to health and social issues.

Our program outcomes for youth include:
      Decreased involvement in risky behaviors
      Increased self-efficacy, positive peer relationships and self-esteem
      Increased knowledge, positive attitudes and beliefs about alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use
      Increased perceptions of disapproval of ATOD use and abuse
      Enhanced leadership, communiation and decision-making skills
      Increased opportunities for civic involvement (e.g., community service)

Youth Programs