Erie County offers many opportunities for teen engagement through afterschool programs, summer jobs programs, and internships. National research reveals many benefits from these programs, such as improved academic achievement, better health outcomes, and reductions in violence. Participation, however, often drops significantly after youth enter high school. A better understanding of adolescent development and youth engagement strategies, ranging from active participation to shared leadership, will draw more teens into programs and maximize their impact.

In adolescence, young people are defining who they will be as adults. However, they live in a society that often disregards their perspectives and ability to contribute. Teen programming can challenge this norm by engaging young people. This report highlights the ways in which programs can fight the decline in participation in out-of-school programs by practicing youth engagement – resulting in benefits for youth, adults, and the community alike.