A could help staff meet the complex challenges after-school programs face in mentoring youth at risk.
“Acknowledging these challenges is vital to formulate strategies to best serve and connect with youth in programming,” says Katie Kavic, first author on the study, which was also her master’s thesis in kinesiology.
The researchers interviewed 10 staff members working in sports programs and uncovered some practical suggestions to help foster positive connections with youth at risk.
The first was to minimize power imbalances, creating an atmosphere of equality in all interactions. They also recommended providing youth with a sense of autonomy, particularly in times of high stress, while also ensuring they felt supported and safe.
In addition, as one participant highlighted in the study, staff simply listening to program attendees can have a positive impact on youth at risk, who are accustomed to “being told what to do … or told what’s not okay … without actually being heard first.”
“Findings from this study demonstrate the vital role of forming connections with youth and how these connections foster other outcomes such as confidence, competence, positive character traits and a sense of caring for others,” says Kavic.