Here are some core principles that outline the concept to help you recognize what a servant youth worker looks like:

Humility Above all, servants don’t consider themselves better than the people they serve. Their lives and experiences are simply different. They are humble enough to help young people discover their own answers.

Honor A young person’s needs become the needs of a servant youth worker. They celebrate that a young person’s happiness and developmental needs are completely unique to them. They honor individuality.

Empower Servant youth workers share their inherent power with young people. They use it to provide young people opportunities to explore their own distinct development. Servants use their power to empower young people.

Ethics They understand why they do what they do and say what they say. Servants are self-reflective and use their self-awareness as a tool for lifelong learners They spend considerable time refining their ethical compass in service to others.

Inspire Servants work to project hope to others and help young people find it within themselves. A servant youth worker supports and encourages young people through their rough times and development tasks.

Flexibility Servants have a clear focus and purpose. But they are willing to adjust as needed. They expect the unexpected. The lives of young people are much more important than their plan. Servant youth workers are agile.