ADVENTIST YOUTH TO YOUTH

A Leadership Briefing


WHAT IS ADVENTIST YOUTH TO YOUTH?

A positive, peer prevention program which has been adapted for church sponsorship. Adventist Youth to Youth (AY2Y) was launched in 1988 in the North American Division to meet the need for a program to halt the trend for increasing numbers of Adventist teens to become involved with alcohol and other drugs. Youth and their adult sponsors attend a conference which invites them to make personal commitments to drug-free living and invites them to establish and strengthen local peer-led groups.

WHY IS AY2Y NEEDED?


HOW IT WORKS


NATURE AND EXTENT

LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

The AY2Y leadership development theme has resulted in a remarkable continuation and loyalty to AY2Y among its participants. The Collegiate AY2Y movement was begun by college freshmen who wanted to continue their high school-level involvement. Many of the young leaders in NAD began their commitment to church service through involvement in AY2Y. The International Youth Leaders for Prevention has taken the program to a new level: development of AY2Y trainers for the Summer School to create Youth Prevention Specialists. In 1994 this certification program reached the Far Eastern Division.

ADVENTIST YOUTH TO YOUTH

A Description of Methods and Strategies

Conceptual Elements What Happens? Outcomes Seen
Peer Base Credibility with youth
Relevance to youth issues 		Creates positive social climate
More successful recruitment
Youthful Orientation Program perceived as "fun" Christian lifestyle seen as attractive and enjoyable: "Abundant life" experience.
Philosophy of "Honor, Dignity, and Respect" Each person given value.
Confidentiality.
Positive talk rules.
Explicit expectations on behavior.
Increased self-worth occurs.
Trust grows among youth, with adults.
Youth learn new way of communicating with each other.
Youth self-enforce rules.
Alienated or undecided youth respond and "blossom".
Program Elements What Happens? Outcomes Seen
Information Serious risks of chemical use learned. Reduced ignorance and denial.
Many users and abusers have quit.
Family Groups (small support/discussion groups) Peer support
Dialogue fostered
Encounter with spiritual issues in a non-threatening environment. 		Positive communication skills
Friendship networks created which increase resilience to peer pressure.
Increased trust in others.
Answers obtained to unspoken questions and doubts, especially about spiritual issues.
Spiritual commitments made.
Workshop Options Choices encouraged.
Skill-building opportunities. 		Youth motivation facilitated.
Increased self-efficacy.
Social Alternatives Drug-free fun
Cooperative play 		Safe social opportunities.
Youth relax, increased receptiveness.
Reinforcement of "abundant life."
Everyone is worthwhile socially.
Adults experience healing by playfulness.
Competitiveness declines.
Outreach Opportunities Increased younger children Interaction
Interaction with larger community 		self-efficacy: "the hero" experience.
Increased concern for others
Expression of idealism encouraged.
Recognition of SDA identity & value; membership "ownership".
Increased identification with church.
Leadership Development General staff training and experience
Administrative staff experience 		Increased self-efficacy Increased motivation and capability

OBJECTIVES OF ADVENTIST YOUTH TO YOUTH (AY2Y)

The Individual youth participant in AY2Y will

  1. Experience a church-related program which is youth-directed, and be motivated by the enjoyable experience of peer prevention.
  2. Commit personally to abstain from alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs as a lifestyle choice.
  3. Increase their knowledge and understanding of the consequences of using addictive drugs.
  4. Develop positive interpersonal communication skills with other youth and with adults.
  5. Learn to build healthy, non-sexualized friendships.
  6. Learn to affirm and value other people, treating diverse others (age-wise, ethnic, or culturally) with honor, dignity, and respect.
  7. Gain skills in reaching out to other people, especially younger children and youth, to share their knowledge and convictions.
  8. Catch a vision of their potential for becoming a leader in their local church/school/community and seek further leadership development opportunities.
  9. Discover and commit to a personal friendship with Jesus Christ.

The adult participant in AY2Y will:

  1. Recognize and value the high leadership potential and talents of youth serving as peer leaders.
  2. Develop a respect for youth as worthy individuals in a younger generation.
  3. Learn how to be an effective adult mentor or coach to youth, facilitating their ability to be peer prevention agents.
  4. Lose their fears of working with youth, recognizing the vital role of adults as facilitators and supporters.
  5. Learn how to communicate effectively with youth, especially how to listen to them.
  6. Develop a stronger personal friendship with Jesus Christ.

The youth who serves as a staff member at AY2Y conferences or as a group leader in a local AY2Y group will:

  1. Acquire experience in the tasks and philosophy of leadership.
  2. Gain confidence in their personal ability as a leader.
  3. Become capable small group leaders.
  4. Develop a commitment to drug-free schools and churches, with a vision of their role in creating and maintaining such an environment for the church.
  5. Commit to active membership as a young person within the Seventh-day Adventist church.

AY2Y Clubs or Groups organized on the AY2Y model will:

  1. Provide information about substances and the consequences of their use to members and target audiences.
  2. Sponsor drug-free social alternatives which provide a positive and safe environment for social development.
  3. Support and facilitate youth leadership development for all willing members.
  4. Create emotionally safe environments for interpersonal sharing and individual growth through family groups.
  5. Operate all programs and services on the philosophy of "Honor, Dignity, and Respect."
  6. Provide services and volunteer involvement in projects which support the development of drug-free schools and communities.
  7. Demonstrate that the drug-free lifestyle, chosen within the Christian Seventh-day Adventist context, is the most powerful, personally rewarding, and exciting opportunity for young people.
  8. Train and support Adventist youth as capable and effective young church workers in the gospel commission.