It is no secret that being part of a youth organization can have a positive impact on young people's lives. From decreased likelihood of initiating illegal drug and alcohol use to improved academic performance, there are many benefits to joining a youth organization. Additionally, youth organizations provide access to civic engagement opportunities, help young people acquire important life skills, and foster a sense of community. A study conducted by Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) showed that young people with mentors were less likely to start using drugs or alcohol during the eighteen-month period of the study than their peers.
Specifically, 6.2 percent of youth with mentors started drug use compared to 11.4 percent of their peers without mentors, and 19.4 percent started alcohol use compared to 26.7 percent. The Across Ages mentoring program also showed that trainees acquired important life skills that help them stay away from drugs. Additionally, regular access to civic engagement opportunities can lead to better outcomes for children, young adults and their communities. Youth who volunteer are more likely to perform better in school and work, and to become civically active adults. Youth clubs are designed to help young people who may have difficulty feeling part of a larger community, or who have been disadvantaged by an adverse family situation or lack of opportunities.
If they are really struggling socially or under threat of abuse in the home, then it may be that the youth group becomes the place where they feel most comfortable and can talk about what is happening to them. Mentoring has also been linked in studies to the benefits of socio-emotional development, improvements in young people's perception of relationships with parents, and better prospects for moving to higher education. Teens can trust their youth leaders when they are struggling with sin or temptation, or when problems arise at home or school that they are afraid to talk to their parents about. Effective after-school programs provide learning environments that provide a wide range of benefits to youth, families and communities. Participation in a youth organization has many advantages for young people themselves, as well as for the entire community. Youth clubs can be great places for young people to recover, with a renewed confidence and a real sense of well-being. The ability to empathize with a group of young people who often have very different needs will be of great help in the future, whether in the workplace or at home.
NGOs such as the Akshaya Patra Foundation indirectly influence the empowerment of young people. In conclusion, being part of a youth organization can have many positive benefits for young people. From improved academic performance and decreased likelihood of initiating illegal drug and alcohol use to access to civic engagement opportunities and important life skills, there are many advantages to joining a youth organization.
