What is Youth Development?

After reading a chapter and taking this YDEV class as well as my social work 324 class, I can definitely explain what YDEV is better than I could Have in YDEV 250. The chapter I read explained how at first, the programs for youth were controlled by the government and were really just ways to keep youth "off the streets and out of their parents way." This is an alright idea for the adults, but the youth won't benefit from it in the long run

Youth development is working with youth to help them grow into the best version of themselves that they can be. Whether it's in a school setting, residential setting, or a recreational setting, our job as youth workers should never be to mold students into what WE think they should be. We are there for support socially and emotionally most importantly. Every single youth we encounter is going to be different from the next with different needs and interests. This is why we can't try to teach them who to be. Our job is to LEAD WITH the youth. I feel like no matter how long or short we work with youth, we should be memorable. We should be able to make some type of impact in their lives that they will remember forever.