ABSTRACT
Over the past 10 years, the youth development movement’s call for a paradigm shift from deterrence to development, captured by the phrase “problem free is not fully prepared,” has lad to an “increased acceptance of youth preparation and development, not just problem prevention and deterrence, as broad goals requiring intentional monitoring and strategic action” (Pittman, Irby, & Ferber, 2000). With the maturing of the youth development field, a consensus is emerging on the characteristics of healthy or positive youth development. The goals of positive youth development capture all our hopes and aspirations for a nation of healthy, happy, and competent adolescents on their way to a productive and satisfying adulthood (Roth & Brooks-Gunn, 2000). More concretely, the 5 C’s portray the desired outcomes of positive youth development: (a) competence in academic, social, and vocational areas; (b) confidence; (c) connection to community, family, and peers; (d) character; and (5) caring and compassion (Lerner, Fisher, & Weinberg, 2000).
