Youth-Adult Partnership is a Journey

Let's Do This

When you’re building a relationship with a young person as an adult, navigating the power dynamic can be a challenge. The SEARCH Institute’s research tells us that sharing power with young people is vital to a healthy mentoring relationship, but what does that actually look like in practice?

The National Youth Leadership Council identifies true adult-youth partnership as a relationship where:

• Youth voice is integrated into decision-making structures as equal partners with adults
• Young people and adults collaborate on an equal footing, sharing power and responsibility
• Youth led initiatives and projects are supported and respected by adult allies
• There is a commitment to building long-term relationships based on mutual respect and trust

Stay Inspired

Knowing what different power dynamics look like in mentoring relationships and what it means for youth to be truly empowered can help you navigate your relationship through both the easy and the more challenging moments. Check out the Youth-Adult Partnership Journey Map and more resources from the National Youth Leadership Council here.