Voices in Transition:

Authors

  • Vicki Bruce Okanagan University College
  • Leigh Macleod Okanagan Families Society
  • Lisa Schechtel Okanagan Families Society
  • Krista Stremel Okanagan Families Society

Keywords:

positive youth development, adolescence, transition, participatory action research, child and youth care work

Abstract

Stories related to us by young people in our community­ based programs provided the original stimulus for our interest in the per­ spectives and experiences of youth in transition to adulthood. Such sto­ries have reinforced our belief that the views of young people should have a prominent place in the development of practices, policies,and programs that support young people involved in this life transition. Utilizing a positive youth development philosophy, "Voices in Transition," a community-based project in Kelowna, B.C., has collected information from young people regarding the transitional journey to adulthood. This article presents the knowledge and wisdom of our community youth regarding the adolescence­ to-adulthood life transition. Three themes that young people spoke about passionately and frequently are presented in this article. These themes are: belonging and connectedness versus "independence," the importance of supportive relationships with adults throughout transition, and meaning­ ful involvement as the key to building competencies and resilience. Portions of this article were previously presented at the year 2000 Joint Conference of the International Federation of Social Workers and the International Association of Schools of Social Work, held in Montreal, Canada, and published in its conference proceedings, as well as presented at the 2002 Canada's Children... Canada's Future conference in Toronto, Canada. Portions of this article were previously presented at the year 2000 Joint Conference of the International Federation of Social Workers and the International Association of Schools of Social Work, held in Montreal, Canada, and published in its conference proceedings, as well as presented at the 2002 Canada's Children... Canada's Future conference in Toronto, Canada.

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Published

2003-11-01

How to Cite

Bruce, V. ., Macleod, L., Schechtel, L. ., & Stremel, K. . (2003). Voices in Transition: . Journal of Child and Youth Care Work, 18, 130–143. Retrieved from http://acycpjournal.pitt.edu/ojs/jcycw/article/view/355

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