Youth Empowerment and Community Wellbeing: The Case of Ophelia's Place
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Date
2024-08-07
Authors
Shannon, Taylah
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
Adolescence is a time of change and exploration, and youth today experience adolescence in world of hyper-connectedness and unlimited access. Post COVID, the adolescent experience comes with its own unique challenges, encouraging communities to reflect on the ways in which they are supporting and empowering their youth. Through a case study analysis of the local Eugene non-profit organization, Ophelia's Place, communities must be implementing services that work to empower their youth in order to reach levels of community wellbeing. Through highlighting a gap in community wellbeing literature where the youth experience is not discussed in community wellbeing indexes, it is paramount that moving forward youth empowerment should be at the forefront of community projects. Various interviews, participant observations, and examinations of survey data at Ophelia's Place exemplify that by providing spaces for youth outside of the home and school, youth can better navigate adolescence and engage with their communities.
Description
Keywords
At-risk, Community wellbeing, Language, Non-profit, Youth development, Youth empowerment