You’re undoubtedly very busy and sometimes finding the time to take training is tough. But you’re committed to learning and want to do what’s best for young people. You need a quick go-to source to help you stay in the know.
You’ve found it! Quick Takes - a blog that speaks directly to you, a youth worker. Youth work insights and ideas you can grab and go in 3 minutes or so.
Quick Takes are written with a tone of respect, a sense of appreciation, and an understanding of the field of youth work. You’ll find the support and encouragement you need and deserve. You’ll appreciate how easy it is to scan through each Quick Take and absorb information you can use in your work.
Bridging the Leadership Gap for Youth Work Leaders
Optimism is a Powerful Antidote for the Fear of Change
More Ways to Learn and Grow
The Passionate Youth Worker podcast provides you and your team the needed inspiration so you and your team are fully present in your service to young people.
More Quick Takes
Indigenous Proverbs to Guide and Inspire Young People
Seasonal Depression Awareness and Strategies
Helping Young People Navigate a Toxic Political Environment
Digital Well-being for Young People and How You Can Help
Social Media Impacts on Youth Mental Health
Leadership Development for Hispanic and Latin Young People
Partnerships That Matter: Strengthening Youth-Adult Connections
International Youth Day 2024: Celebrating Youth and YOU-nity
Person-Centered Program Planning and Universal Design in Youth Work
Confronting Ableism in Youth Work
Compassion Fatigue in Youth Work and Ways to Manage it
LGBTQIA+ Stands for Social Justice
A Growth Mindset is the Key to Success for Youth Workers
Social Justice is Youth Work
Grounding Exercises Help Manage Anxiety and Worries
Motivation Micro Steps Make a Big Difference
Spring Inspiration for Youth Workers
Youth Sexual Health: Common Biases to Unlearn
Women’s History Month: Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Youth Worker Training is Essential for Recruitment and Retention
Black History Month 2024: African Americans and the Arts
Shielding Your Well-being While Surrounded by Strife and Struggle
Unique Qualities of Youth Workers that Really Make a Difference
Holidays and Embracing Diversity
Holidays form a diverse tapestry of cultural traditions, offering a unique educational opportunity in youth work. Understanding the various celebrations throughout the month of December fosters respect and unity.
Nurturing Human Rights for a Brighter Future
Digital Literacy Helps Keep Young People Safer Online
Indigenous Wisdom for All Youth Programs
Ethics Within Youth Work Teams
Staffing Shortage Survival Tips for Youth Workers
Understanding Eating Disorders to Support Young People
Latino, Latinx, and Latine: Language and Creating Inclusive Spaces
Gender-Based Violence Support and Prevention
Gender-based violence (GBV) means hurting someone because of their gender. It includes various forms of abuse. And too often, women and marginalized gender identities are most affected. But there are ways we can work to address and prevent GBV.
Uplift Youth Workers
Celebrate International Youth Day 2023 with YIPA!
Celebrate the Abilities of Youth with Disabilities Every Day!
Personal Growth Needs Nurturing to Bloom
Personal growth is vital to the holistic development of young people. And with careful nurturing from caring adults, young people can thrive and grow into their full potential. Your role in their personal growth is so important!
LGBTQ+ Pride
Empowering Young People: The Power of Self-efficacy and Coaching
Policy Engagement Will Facilitate Change
AANHPI Heritage Month Honors Belonging
Storytelling and Humor Help us Connect
Restorative Justice Practice in Youth Work
Emotional Dysregulation is a Vicious Cycle
Stress Less Strategies for Well-being
Stress can affect anyone's well-being. But we're seeing increasing impact for young people in particular. It's becoming a mental health crisis. So, it's vital that you learn about strategies to support well-being. And help young people stress less.
How Women's History Empowers Girls
Use Black History Month to Empower Young People
Are You a Servant Youth Worker?
Recognizing and Responding to Human Trafficking
Human trafficking is a crime. It can happen to adults and young people in any community. But most of us don't see it and don't think it happens in our community. So, it's critical to become aware and learn how to respond.
Honoring Martin Luther King Day
Holiday Blues Affect Young People Too
Go-to Relationships Are Needed for Systemic Change
Suicide Postvention Supports Prevention
Suicide postvention is prevention. Not many people have heard of postvention. But it is vital to comprehensive suicide prevention. And everyone can learn how to bring postvention strategies to our work with young people, families, and communities.
Gratitude for the Greatness of Youth Workers
November is Native American Heritage Month
6 Reasons Why Youth Worker Social Activism Works
Eco-anxiety is Impacting Young People
Honoring Hispanic Heritage Month
Mental Health Narrative Changing for the Better
Engaging Young People is the Key to Trust
International Youth Day Empowers Young People
International Youth Day is celebrated each year on August 12. The purpose is to bring attention to youth issues. And to celebrate the potential of young people as partners in our global society.
Shift Your Self-Care Plans Into Action
Disability Pride Month is Something to Celebrate!
Youth Worker Advocacy During a Campaign Season
DEI Initiatives Advance Social Justice
DEI initiatives play a vital role in advancing social justice. When organizations and youth programs provide diverse, equitable, and inclusive spaces, people thrive. And all of us can play a role in making DEI initiatives work for everyone.
What it Takes to be a Passionate Youth Worker
Considerations for Mandated Reporting
The Benefits of Youth Worker Training
Social and Emotional Learning Through Games and Play
Social and emotional learning (SEL) helps young people of all ages better understand their emotions. Although SEL is common in the context of students and school, any type of youth programming can support SEL.
Resilience: The Antidote to Stress
ADHD Challenges, Strengths, and Strategies for Youth Workers
How to Advocate for Young People as a Youth Worker
Helping Young People Navigate Cancel Culture
Motivation to Move Toward Change
De-escalation Strategies for Young People and Youth Workers
Wisdom in Youth Work is Untapped Potential
Developing Brave Spaces for Dialogue in Youth Work
Dialogue is a powerful way to help young people develop their voice. Dialogue is an agreement to listen and acknowledge without judgment. It helps us consider different viewpoints and develop empathy and understanding.
Belonging, Inclusion, and Mental Health
Belonging is an innate human need. Everybody wants to feel like they belong. And it turns out that belonging brings benefits for our well-being across the board. Without it, we can feel lost, alone, and struggle to find meaning in life.
Positive Communication with Young People Matters
10 Ways Providing Support to Young People Is a Gift
Mindful Youth Work Benefits You and Young People
Mindfulness can be a great way to manage stress, anxiety, and distraction. These are challenges all young people and adults face from time to time. So, we could all use mindfulness as a healthy way to cope with and prevent stress.
Kindness Matters for Positive Youth Development
Relationships in Youth Work
Helping Young People Manage Anxiety During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Anxiety isn’t new. And while the Covid global pandemic is not the first pandemic in history, we need to be mindful of the increased anxiety our young people are experiencing today. You have an important role in helping them navigate their experiences, draw on their strengths, and offer creative coping skills that will shape positive outcomes for them in the future.
The Value of Bringing Improv to Youth Work
Improv is a fun and engaging way to build real trust in your relationships with young people. Additionally, improv is a great way to build your confidence for those times you need to think on your feet. And using improv in youth programming can inspire creativity and strengthen problem-solving.
How to Address Secondary Trauma
Caregiver Engagement in Youth Work
How to Recognize Youth Mental Illness
Exercise Your Power of Choice!
Sometimes, the stress of daily life can make you forget that you have the power of choice. The COVID pandemic magnified that to a whole other level. So, this is the perfect time to remind yourself of the power of choice.
Youth Mental Health: Reduce the Stigma
Pride is a Banner for Belonging
Power Dynamics in Youth Work
Poetry in Youth Work
Challenging Behaviors Should Not Define Youth
Will a Grassroots Movement in Youth Work Change Everything?
Self-Compassion is a Youth Work Superpower
Self-compassion is a basic yet profound principle of being kind to yourself. It’s not about pity or not taking responsibility. It’s a strategy of relating with yourself and the young people you serve in a kind and compassionate way.