By Kim Wright

Island Forum

No community is truly healthy if its young people are not encouraged to grow, discover their strengths and passions, and learn something about the world beyond their own experience.

We know many things about creating an environment that fosters positive youth development. We must create a safe place that is inclusive of everyone. We must give young people opportunities to practice positive activities and risk-taking and community service with their peers and other community members. We must be caring adults who will listen without judgment and actively participate in the community alongside youth. It is essential to engage young people in an activity that encourages and enhances their skills and passions and allows them to have a voice, say their opinions and to make decisions.

If we take a look at our community, what can we improve that will help develop our youth? The first thing that comes to mind is diversity in activities. Are we encouraging our youth to be involved in a diverse array of activities? Exposing youth to many different environments, opportunities and activities will encourage them to become informed, caring and responsive young adults.

One great way to get connected is through volunteering. We live in a protected community but we can’t forget that we are part of a larger community with intense social problems and larger social opportunities.

Seattle and King County are blessed with a very strong support system with resources and service agencies that are unparalleled. Many organizations, with help from the United Way, have worked hard to make it easy for any young person to find a social service or environmental agency that will foster and enhance their development while providing an activity that aligns with their interests.

Why is this important? Going outside of your comfort zone, taking positive risks and experiencing environments outside our norms all promote healthy development.

Great things happen when you introduce a young person to social issues they care about. The exposure allows young people the opportunity to participate in bringing about change. Community service agencies help you achieve all of these things in a safe place and the greatest thing is: You are giving back! Young people engaged in service are constantly learning new possibilities, discovering new skills and passions and actively helping to improve the lives of others.

I have learned so much from working with youth on Mercer Island. My experiences have led me to believe that the more young people are exposed to community issues and opportunities for change, the more involved they get in making progress and being an active contributor. I have watched hundreds of MI youth take what can sometimes be a scary step into the foreign territory of a soup kitchen or homeless shelter, and as a result, become better people.

I have also grown in my life and the larger world by having honest conversations with youth about their feelings and perspectives. Young people possess a wealth of knowledge and we sometimes forget to ask for it. The greatest thing I have experienced is being part of so many young people’s lives — lives that have truly touched me. Without a doubt, the youth I have worked with have helped me grow and given me a sense of purpose, peace and hope.

As we get closer to spring break, I encourage you to seek out volunteer opportunities that will help your young person learn more about their passions and skills while teaching them more about the world around them. Mercer Island Youth and Family Services offer volunteer projects for eighth through 12th-graders during the break as well as two summer programs that will introduce youth to a diverse array of projects and opportunities for growth. Summer program applications for VOICE and SVP are available April 1. Call 236-7293 for more information. For more opportunities, visit the United Way Volunteer Center, www.uwkc.org.

Kim Wright is the youth development coordinator for Mercer Island Youth and Family Services.