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Resilience & Youth Development

Resilience-Based Workshops, Presentations, & Focus Groups
are available

Overview of Resilience Theory

At its foundation, a resilience based approach to youth development is based upon the principle that all people have the ability to overcome adversity and to succeed despite it. Resilience is a strengths based model meaning its focus is on providing the supports and opportunities which promote life success, rather than trying only to eliminate the factors that promote failure.

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A Resiliency Based Youth Development Process

Research has consistently shown that the presence of these developmental supports and opportunities provide a better indicator of whether youth will grow up to become successful well-adjusted adults than the presence or absence of risk-factors (i.e. poverty, drug-use, etc.)

By providing youth with caring relationships, high expectations, & opportunities for meaningful participation we meet the fundamental developmental needs which must be met if they are to become happy and successful. As these needs are met youth develop the strengths (developmental outcomes) that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Ultimately, research has found that providing the supports and opportunities that promote healthy development leads directly to positive outcomes in both academics and life.

These developmental supports & opportunities and individual strengths are measured by the CHKS Resilience & Youth Development Module(RYDM) where they are referred to as external and internal assets, respectively.

For a useful handout on the RYDM, download our resilience flyer (PDF).