Over 2007 and 2008, Youth Worker: Collective (formerly YDPN) set out to listen to the needs, hopes, and desires of youth workers. What we heard led us to create The Four Points of Connection. The Four Points represent the crux of our work. It is our workforce development agenda. We believe if we truly want to move from the field of youth development to the profession of youth development all sectors of our field need to come together to realize the dreams of each Point. Then, we will finally achieve many youth workers in many settings for many years.
Our Dream:
We dream of youth workers that are empowered because they are connected to their intentionality. We dream of shared spaces that promote reflection; values clarification and development; healing, rejuvenation, and self-care; and advocacy skill development.
A Day of… Workshops are arts-based explorations of rejuvenation, self-care, values, and/or personal advocacy that bring people together to reflect, learn and grow. (3-hour workshop minimum)
Sustainable Self-Care Consulting bridges the work-life divide by working with organizations to create structures and systems that promote the self-care of its workers. (2-hour exploration session required)
Values Coaching is one-on-one support empowering individuals to place personal core values front and center in work, life, education, and career. (8-week session minimum)
Our Resources:
A Day of Rejuvenation and Self-Care is a three-hour low-cost replicable exploration of the value of rejuvenation and self-care in sustaining our lives. Click here for curriculum and to learn more.
Our Path to Peace is an exploration of the intersections of violence, peace, and faith. It was created in the Spring of 2008 with the collective insight, wisdom, and experiences of over 50 youth workers from across the Bay Area. Click here to learn more.
Six Billion Paths to Peace
Shinnyo-en Foundation
Our Dream:
We dream of youth workers that are professional and collective. We dream of equitable, accessible to relevant educational and professional development opportunities, especially those led by peers.
Our Affiliate Programs:
Youth Worker Exchange offer youth workers an opportunity to explore intersections that affect our work and our youth as well as provide networking, personal, and professional development.
Our Resources:
Community Conversations - Collaborative Frontline Youth Worker Training Pilot Youth Worker: Collective, as a part of AFATAC, is working through our Community Conversations to create collaboration across systems to train the current and next generation of frontline youth workers. Page coming soon!
Afterschool for All Workforce Development Work Group
Afterschool for All Technical Assistance Collaborative
Peer Networking Sessions provide participants an opportunity to connect and explore a specific topic with each other in an equal exchange. (2-hour session minimum)
Community Conversations bring together stakeholders to answer organizational questions through appreciative inquiry resulting in a collaborative action plan. (3-month commitment minimum)
Custom Youth Development Training Events bring the best of Youth Worker: Collective’s peer-education model to build the skills and competencies of youth workers in a team environment. (4-hour training minimum)
Professional Development Coaching is focused one-on-one support that refines and hones youth workers current knowledge and skills. (2-hour session minimum)
Our Dream:
We dream of youth workers that are financially self-sufficient. We dream of a network of economic support that builds financial literacy, provides affordable housing, health care, and loan forgiveness; and adequately compensates its employees.
We are currently working with Mission SF Community Financial Center to develop a menu of financial services for youth workers.
Our Affiliate Programs:
Youth Workers for Economic Self Sufficiency - More information coming soon.
Our Resources:
Resources Coming Soon
Mission SF Community Financial Center, Youth Credit Union Program, Youth Trainers for Economic Power
Youth Funding Youth Ideas
The Four Points of Connection
Community Events bring youth, youth workers, organizations and businesses together to create events that inspire hope and celebrate the community. (6-month commitment minimum)
EVENT: 
The Journey Navigators
SFUSD's ExCEL After School Programs
Youth Employment Coalition
