LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – While Lake County is experiencing affects from the economic crunch, visible in everything from unemployment rates to homelessness, youth serving organizations continue trucking along doing their best to serve youth and their families.

Lake County Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Services (AODS) prevention component annually offers the community the opportunity to apply for Friday Night Live mini-grants.

The Friday Night Live program engages youth to build partnerships for positive and healthy youth development which engage youth as active leaders and resources in their communities. The purpose of these clubs is building youth leadership skills; while maintaining a drug- and alcohol-free lifestyle.

Youth development philosophy states that children and teens, provided with consistent and sound positive messages, are capable of making the choice to avoid risky behaviors altogether, especially if they are empowered by strong family, school and community connections.

Youth development is the process through which teens acquire the cognitive, social, and emotional skills and abilities required to navigate life.

The experience of adolescence varies for every youth due to culture, gender, and socioeconomic class which all have an impact on development. This development occurs in formal and informal settings such as home, church, or school; and similar relationships, such as peer friendships, work, parenting, teaching or mentoring. Although youth development is a natural process, it cannot be left to chance.

The elements or needs essential for the healthy development of young people, particularly adolescents, have been described by Konopka (1973) and Pittman (1991). To grow and learn to optimum capacity in healthy ways and to function successfully in the adult world, young people benefit from opportunities to:

• feel a sense of safety and structure;

• experience active participation, group membership and belonging;

• develop self-worth achieved through meaningful contribution;

• experiment to discover self, gain independence, and gain control over one's life;

• develop significant relationships with peers and adults;

• discuss conflicting values and formulate their own;

• feel the pride and accountability that come with mastery;

• expand the capacity to enjoy life and know that success is possible.

Youth development, then, is a combination of all of the people, places, supports, opportunities and services that teens need to be happy, healthy and successful.

Lake County Division of Alcohol and Other Drug Services (AODS) would also like to thank all of the community partners who work with the agency on addressing the diverse needs of the youth in our community: Team DUI, Lake county Community Action Agency, Lake Family Resource Center, Department of Mental Health, School Districts, Sober Grad, Every 15 Minutes, Challenge Days, Friday Night Live Chapters, our Courts and Hilltop Recovery.

If you would like more information about this topic please contact Linda at 707-263-8162.