The development of life skills allows youth to cope with their environment by making responsible decisions, having a better understanding of their values, and being better able to communicate and get along with others.
Developing Life Skills In Our Youth Is A Priority Now!
It's estimated that over 25% of our nation's youth engage in "high-risk" activities-heavy alcohol, tobacco, or drug use, delinquency, and poor school performance or non-attendance. An additional 25% are considered to be at moderate risk. Almost one -third of our youth fail to graduate from high school. Teen pregnancy is increasing at an alarming rate. Every day in America, 40 teenagers give birth to their third child. Because of these high-risk activities, youth become a burden to society instead of contributors.
The number of our nation's youth exhibiting at-risk behavior points to a lack of skills necessary for adulthood-skills in working with others, understanding self, communicating, making decisions, and leadership. These skills are required by adults for everyday living and are often called leadership life skills. The development of life skills allows youth to cope with their environment by making responsible decisions, having a better understanding of their values, and being better able to communicate and get along with others.(Washington, D.C.: Center for Youth Development and Policy Research, 2007)
YSA Life Skills 101 Program Overview
The Youth Sports Alliance understands the importance of opening doors to life skills programming that use ingriedients outside of the general 4-H platform.
Our Life Skills 101 program offers practical and matter-of-fact teachings and advice on the entire spectrum of skills necessary for youth to grow into successful adults. We all know adults who wish for a “do over,” especially in the areas of education, finances and breaking the law. Wouldn't it be wonderful to get it right the first time and to be in a position of strength while still young? Wouldn't it be great to have the social skills to be looked upon favorably by a potential employer or college...and to know our youth have a basic understanding of the elements involved with life “in the real world?
The Life Skills 101 program was created to get our youth on the right track while they are still youth. We use the vehicle of organized sports particpation as the hook, and insert all the key life skills development ingredients into the mix. The life skills 101 program will consist of various seminars, motivational speakers and core development events in the areas of:
• Mentoring
• Daily Social Skills (Communication & Respect)
• Juvenile Delinquency & Criminal Consequences
• Financial Know-How/Money Management (Credit & Money)
• Managing Your Meals (Eating Healthy)
• Classroom Etiquette
• College Preparation
• Creating Leaders of Tomorrow
• Career Planning For the Future
• How Today's Choices Create That Future
• Dealing with Life in Stressful Environments
Drugs and Alcohol Awareness Seminars & Clinics
Drugs and alcohol abuse in America annually create staggering societal costs and prevent millions of people from reaching their full potential at school, on the job, and in their communities. The rate of abuse of drugs and alcohol by our Nation's youth is cause for alarm. Currently, 3 million young people between the ages of 14 and 17 have an alcohol problem, and more than half of America's school-age children have tried illegal drugs by the time they have finished junior high school. Research indicates that youth who avoid the early use of alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana are less likely to engage in other harmful behaviors such as crime, delinquency, and other illegal drug use.
Because of the high percentage of drug activity in some inner city areas and the growing use of alcohol among youth, the YSA will incoporate drugs and alcohol abuse awarness programming into all organization events and activities.
One of things I keep learning is that the secret of being happy is doing things for other people.
~ Dick Gregory
We Want To Here From You! Send Us Your Questions and Comments.