Ask an Advisor Answers

Question: We are launching a community engagement program in Houston in order to decrease the drop out rate in Hispanic High Schools, can you give me some ideas of where to start, or direct me to literature that I can study.
Answer: Thanks for contacting Ask and Advisor. There are lots of available resources for engaging youth in change efforts. See for example: the Forum for Youth Investment. One of their current initiatives is partnering with the America's Promise Alliance to increase public awareness of the dropout and college-readiness crisis and to develop prevention efforts. Also see The Innovation Center for Community and Youth Development For general community engagement info, the CDC has a good resource guide available here: CDC Principles of Community Enagement. Lastly, you may find Toolbox chapters 1 & 17 helpful as you develop your ideas. Best of luck!
Question Date: Thu, 05/29/2008