Empower the next generation of changemakers. Volunteers work with youth in communities on projects that promote engagement and active citizenship, including gender awareness, employability, health and HIV/AIDS education, environmental awareness, sporting programs, and info technology.
If you choose Youth in Development, take three courses from one of the following areas:
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Psychology
- Education
- Special Education
- Women’s & Gender Studies
Recommended courses:
- EDU 2022: Teaching & Learning with Technology in Class
- ELE 2000: The Teacher & the School
- ELE 2320: Childhood & Early Adolescent Development
- ELE 2321: Child Growth & Development
- ELE 3000: Instructional Strategies for Elementary Classroom
- ELE 3250: Facilitating Learning in Early Childhood Programs
- ELE 3281: Developmental Reading in Early Childhood
- ELE 4775: Language & Language Arts in Early Childhood
- GEO 3810: Introduction to GIS
- PSY 3515: Child Psychology
- PSY 3521: Psychology of Adolescence & Young Adults
- SOC 1838: Introductory Sociology
- SOC 2420: Introduction to Social Work
- SOC 2830: Family & Society
- SOC/CRM 4074: Sociological Analysis of Juvenile Delinquency
- SOC 4131: Sociology of Poverty & Social Welfare
- WLS/F/G 3501: Languages for Young Learners
And build 50 hours of related field experience through an activity such as:
- Teaching or counseling in at-risk youth programs
- Activities that involve planning, organizing, assessing community needs, counseling, and leadership, in areas such as education, youth development, health and HIV/AIDS, the environment, and/or business
- Volunteering at Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Mattoon YMCA, Charleston Parks & Rec., or Amigos & Friends
- Working as a Resident Assistant for Student Housing
- Volunteer at HOPE of East Central Illinois