Thriving Youth Groups Have Support, Leadership

Karen Piatt makes up about a fourth of the senior youth group at First Parish UU, Milton, Mass. (242 members). But what the group lacks in numbers it makes up in enthusiasm. "We are youth groupers to the core," says Piatt, an eleventh grader. "We go to all the events. We can't get enough. It's a place to go and hang out and talk about your problems, and there's always someone to help you."

Youth groups are a challenge for many of our congregations, especially smaller ones. Finding youth group advisors who work well with teens is one of the primary challenges, says Jesse Jaeger, director of youth programs for the UUA. "Youth groups succeed because of youth empowerment. Good adult advisors don't try to plan everything. They work with the youth, support them, and help them learn from their mistakes."

At First Parish, Lexington, Mass. (353), director of religious education Dan Harper says the following are responsible for a thriving youth group:

• a congregational long-range plan that identifies intergenerational community as a priority.
• not "ghettoizing" youth by having the youth group meet at inaccessible times or places.
• bylaws that allow full voting membership at age 14.
• inviting youth into leadership positions.
• staff support from ministers and DRE, including pastoral care.
• a team of at least five advisors to increase the number of adult contacts for youth, so when they do come to other congregational events, they are more likely to see a familiar adult; it's easier to recruit people for larger teams of advisors--there's less fear of burnout.
• training and support for adults who come into contact with youth.

Lots of activities help attract and keep youth at the Milton congregation. In addition to Sunday night youth group meetings, there's an annual youth worship service, two coffee houses to raise money for youth social justice projects, and participation in a community hunger walk. Youth also help out in the toddler room on Sundays and hold an annual spaghetti feast for parents of younger children and uninvolved youth, to explain why youth groups are important.

Megan Tideman was a member of the youth group at Unity Temple UU at Oak Park, Ill. (339), until her graduation from high school a year and a half ago. "It was just a really good community--a safe space to talk about any issue, and a supportive, loving community. It helped me strengthen my religious ideas and my spirituality."

RESOURCES

Training for youth advisors is offered through district UUA offices. A training session can provide energy to rebuild a struggling youth program or maintain a strong one by increasing the pool of able and enthusiastic youth and advisors. Training includes a basic and an advanced course. Basic training is offered in a fifteen-hour block (Friday evening to Sunday morning) or two eight-hour blocks.