CIVIC ENGAGEMENT OF YOUTH: EFFICACY OF SERVICE-LEARNING STRATEGIES OF THE JUNIOR YOUTH SPIRITUAL EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM

66 pagesThe present study investigated the impact of the Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program (JYSEP) on the civic engagement of its participants. The JYSEP was evaluated as a service-learning program whose goal is to promote civic engagement. This research explored whether participation in this service-learning program improved its participants’ civic engagement, practiced service-learning strategies effectively, and if these strategies affected the civic engagement outcome of JYSEP participation. The civic engagement of non-participants of the JYSEP was compared to participants and factors such as age, gender, race, and religion were also studied for their relationship with civic engagement. The civic engagement of JYSEP participants did not appear to be correlated with participation, however participants reported that the JYSEP practiced effective service-learning. This pilot study uncovered what is a small piece of the puzzle of the empowerment of youth. Further research on the JYSEP is necessary to better understand its impact on the civic engagement and development of young people.2023-07-2