What is Quality

I work in the world of youthwork and out-of-school time. I run two youth groups and am affiliated the with city of Saint Paul. I also have several friends working for nonprofits, working for AmeriCorp, and working for school districts trying to better the world through quality youthwork practice.

Lately I've been so frustrated by organizations held up by the efforts of volunteers and interns. I wonder how an organization can ever grow, adapt and genuinely improve their work when their main staff source turns over every 3, 6, 9 or 12 months. I know so many adults who think they know the answer to the worlds problems, I find myself thinking that very thought. But in practice, in my practice, I find myself and other repeating fundamental mistakes over and over again. And mostly because of this turn over.

There is a study that has proven a bad program does more harm than good for a young person. We set up systems of free labor and label them as ways of building or workforce and giving experience. But that experience requires, in youthwork, building relationships with real humans, real organizations, real youth. I'm afraid that our short term stints, in terms or volunteer and internship or just our overall high turn over, is doing so much harm.

It not only makes it possible for bad organizations to continue to run, but it never allows organizations to really grow and adapt to a community of needs.

As problematic as Jane Addams may be, I love the way she grounded herself in one community and stayed there. I think that's what this world needs more of to make quality youthwork a reality.