ABSTRACT
Youth workers operating within a Social Justice Youth Development (SJYD) framework encounter the same dilemmas as other youth workers. These youth workers also routinely face situations that may not be considered a dilemma if they were doing more "traditional" youth work due to SJYD's intentional focus on hierarchical power and systemic oppression. This chapter delves into such a dilemma that Colin faced while working in an urban-based SJYD group called Youth in Action (YIA). This dilemma reveals how the SJYD framework and mindset is not in line with most of how society, especially adult society, thinks and acts. Colin's reflection indicates that effective SJYD youth worker praxis must move beyond establishing microsystem empowerment with youth by intentionally building community support for youth organizing before problems arise. Meeting with people and listening to them talk about their primary focus within their community can help one and the youth in one's group to understand the person.
