CDLI_Guidebook_18_Final_Print

FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK
Dear YMCA Professional:
We are pleased to provide a compilation of material housing the YMCA’s renewed character development
efforts. The Character Development Learning Institute (CDLI) has been a 4 year project supported by the
S.D. Bechtel Jr. Foundation to develop the character of youth ages 5-18. Building on the core values of
Honesty, Caring, Respect and Responsibility, YMCA’s across the country have committed to developing Youth
Development Leaders in 5 areas of practice: empathy, emotion management, responsibility, relationship
building, and personal development.
This guidebook houses the research in the out of school time field and promising practices and strategies
that can be utilized by Youth Development Leaders to implement character development in a variety of youth
programs. The current focus of the work has been to support the professional practices that adults – staff
and volunteers – can model, scaffold and develop with youth to create an environment where wellness and
whole child development influence and impact youth development positively. As the CDLI has been program
and curricula agnostic, it offers a fit for adult and youth from all walks of life who come from the varied
communities served by the local YMCA associations.
At the Y, we recognize that character can be taught and caught. We have also learned through the work of
the CDLI, that character development must be supported at all levels of Y operations – the organization,
program, and youth development leaders. By using character development as a strategy for positive youth
development, we can ensure that youth have the skills, attitudes, and knowledge necessary to be whole and
healthy in their 21st century world.
Thank you for believing in youth and recognizing that character development is the Y’s way forward. As
leaders in the field of youth development, we know that when you know better, not only do you do better,
but you also support better. Let’s continue to support our movement and its membership to lead our cause.
Onwards and Upwards,
Tasha F. Johnson
Tasha F. Johnson, Ph.D.
Senior Director, Character Development Learning Institute
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT GUIDEBOOK
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