Engaging Youth as Partners to Improve Program Quality

Quality Action Efforts from the Minneapolis Beacons Network

Minneapolis Beacons Network

Resource Development

Collective Vision

Data Driven Culture

City-Wide Youth Engagement

Cross Agency Professional Development

Ladders of Leadership

Family & Community Partnerships

The “Beacons Way”

Engaged Learning

Program Choices

Beacon Centers Beacons Network

Beacons Core Elements

Leadership Camp

Ladders of Leadership

Engaged Learning

City-Wide Youth Engagement

Cross Agency Professional Development

Ladders of Leadership

Citywide Youth

Leadership

Beacons Leadership Team (BLT)

Beacons Leadership

Camp

Other Beacons Network Events

Alumni Role

Center-based

Leadership

Leadership focused

groups/clubs

Youth Advisory

Quality Action Team

Employment opportunitie

s

Beacons Leadership Team (BLT)Beacons Network

• Set vision• Convene

meetings• Raise funds

Alumni

• High School or college-age youth partner with adults

• Develop goals of BLT

• Develop meeting agendas & traditions

• Facilitate first meetings

Beacon Center BLT Teams

• Teams of youth and adults from each Beacon

• Meet with citywide group monthly

• Set vision, goals & projects for center

Youth Advisory Groups

• Team of youth and adults

• Build on plans made at BLT meetings

• Execute activities and initiatives at center level

Ladders of Leadership

The “Beacons Way”

Engaged Learning

Program Choices

Collective Vision

City-Wide Youth Engagement

Quality Action Teams

Ladders of Leadership

Family & Community Partnerships

The “Beacons Way”

Data Driven Culture

Cross Agency Professional Development

Invitation to partnership

Preparing youth and adults to

partner

Create meaningful structures for partnership

Implement, Reflect & Plan

Tips for Getting Started Engaging Youth in Quality Improvement

Thank You!Jenny Wright CollinsBeacons Network DirectorJenny.Collins@ymcatwincities.org

Stacey GuilfoyleAmeriCorps Promise Fellow/ Beacons Alumnus YMCA of the Greater Twin CitiesAnnastasia.Guilfoyle@ymcatwincities.org