Youth and Adult Partnerships in Organizations and Communities: Practical Resources for Planning and Implementation

Jessica Collura and Shepherd Zeldin

Youth-adult partnership (Y-AP) is a powerful strategy of organizational improvement and community change. When youth and adults participate in collective decision-making and action, communities and organizations can ensure the needs of all stakeholders are met. In fact, research demonstrates that intergenerational partnerships benefit youth development and adult competency and confidence. Moreover, organizations and communities gain a greater capacity to respond, through policy and program, to the critical interests, concerns and priorities of young people.