ABOUT
About This Toolkit
Many effective youth programs center around public safe spaces where youth can share ideas, learn new skills, and have constructive use of their non-school or work time. Having a safe space gives youth an opportunity to connect with others who are facing similar experiences and challenges. As a consequence, safe spaces can promote healing, empowerment, and resilience. These programs provide a set time and place for youth to engage with each other and in activities that range from education to sports to civic engagement. USAID is committed to developing resources that help youth in their Positive Youth Development (PYD) journey. To learn more about PYD, please see, What is Positive Youth Development or “PYD”?
Garnered from global research, this toolkit provides resources and examples of constructive youth safe spaces (YSS), including after-school programs (ASP) and youth centers (YC). These are collectively referred to as YSS/YC/ASPs throughout this toolkit.
Who is this Toolkit for?
- Youth practitioners will easily be able to focus on the elements of quality programs that are necessary for high-impact outcomes.
- Youth-led organizations will be able to create or improve an existing youth-focused space with an emphasis on quality programming and management.
- Community leaders will learn what is needed to build a youth safe space/center/program in your community.
- Donors will find effective practices to support.
This online version of the toolkit provides a brief overview of the complete toolkit.
This toolkit helps readers:
- Understand the components of strong models for YSS/YC/ASPs.
- Learn how to design and improve programming effectiveness using evidence-based principles and practices.
- Learn how to create sustainability through ongoing monitoring and improvement practices.
- Learn how to improve your resource mobilization to scale your program.
- Know how to find online resources for youth programming and curricula.
Explore the Toolkit