Innovation Center Research identifies new knowledge, assesses the short and long term impacts of our efforts, and increases organizational effectiveness.

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Creating Change: How Organizations Connect with Youth, Build Communities, and Strengthen Themselves

This booklet explores the complex links between youth development, community engagement, and social justice. The Innovation Center has been studying these links through partnerships with local and national organizations, universities, foundations, and businesses. We are learning what works in big cities, small towns, and rural communities. The stories in this book highlight the work of our partners to engage, empower, and strengthen young people and their communities.

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Extending the Reach of Youth Development Through Civic Activism: Research Results from the Youth Leadership for Development Initiative

This scholarly report demonstrates the link between civic activism and youth development and highlights the impact that civic activism can have on youth and community development.

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Lessons in Leadership: How Young People Change Their Communities and Themselves

This brief report distills the key lessons and impacts of thoughtful youth involvement through civic activism.

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Youth Engagement: A Celebration Across Time and Culture: Framing the Issue

This booklet highlights the history, lessons, best practices, and opportunities of meaningful youth engagement to create positive social change.

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Youth Engagement: A Celebration Across Time and Culture: Proceedings Paper

This booklet documents proven practices, promising ideas, and ideas to expand the impact of the power of young people and adults creating positive change.

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Encircling Institutions: Surrounding youth in crisis with mutual engagement, commitment and trust

Engaged Institutions is a vital technique with invaluable implications for youth and community development work across the field. It has been successfully used by Roca, a community-based organization serving disengaged and disenfranchised youth in Chelsea, Revere and East Boston, Massachusetts.  An undeniable strength of this strategy is its focus on long-term solutions to the problems vulnerable youth face.

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A Circle of Place: Engaging Institutions in Shared Values and Actions to Serve Youth in Crisis

Through the Engaged Institutions strategy, Roca has been able to develop a climate of shared values and practices among staff in partner agencies.  Promising practices include widespread use and recognition of Roca's method of peacemaking circles, better communication and transparency between organizations, and a commitment to truth telling.  Roca is a community-based organization serving disengaged and disenfranchised youth in Chelsea, Revere and East Boston, Massachusetts

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Broadening the Bounds of Youth Development: Youth as Engaged Citizens

This publication provides an overview of youth development theory, examines the disconnect between youth development and civic engagement, and reflects on ways community leadership and civic activism can be incorporated into youth development.

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Youth Leadership for Development Initiative

This booklet by Ford Foundation Program Officer Inca Mohamed and Innovation Center President Wendy Wheeler outlines the concept behind the Youth Leadership for Development Initiative (YLDI), a “learning initiative” to explore civic activism as a strategy for youth development.

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Youth in Decision-Making: A Study on the Impacts of Youth on Adults and Organizations

Based on interviews with youth and adults from 15 organizations, the 61-page research report reflects the first significant research on the impacts young people have on adults and organizations when they are involved in significant decision-making roles.

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At the Table: Making the Case for Youth in Decision-Making

Summary of key research findings from Youth in Decision-Making research study.

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Youth Involvement Research and Practice Agenda

This agenda highlights the interests and concerns of young people, youth workers, and others engaged with youth involvement. It outlines applied research questions and evaluation questions.

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