Perhaps no other challenge is more pressing in creating "developmentally - tentive community and society" (the theme of this book series) than mobilizing adultstoplayactive,constructiverolesinthelivesofchildrenandadolescents.In a society that too easily defaults to designing programs as cure-alls for meeting young people's needs, particular attention must be paid to understanding and mobilizing the kind of positive, relational energy that prepares each successive generation to assume its place in society. Although programs and institutions certainlyplayimportantroles,thekeyliesinthepersonalcommitment,invol- ment, and investment of adults in young people's lives. In Mobilizing Adults for Positive Youth Development: Strategies for Closing the Gap between Beliefs and Behaviors, E. Gil Clary and Jean E. Rhodes have ass- bled the insights of leading scholars from multiple disciplines and contexts for engaging a broad cadre of adults as allies for youth development. As the editors write,thequestionguidingthebookis,"Howcanwemosteffectivelyencourage adults, both individually and collectively, to begin to behave differently with - spect to the young people of a community, to do so consistently, and to do so in a variety of ways?" What is being proposed, then, is nothing less than a social movement that engages individuals, small groups, neighborhoods, workplaces, schools, faith communities, and broader social institutions in attending to the well-being and healthy development of young people. When highly successful people from all walks of life are asked how they were able to attain such lofty achievements, they inevitably pay tribute to the influential role played by a variety of adults throughout their young lives. Whether it's a valedictorian delivering the commencement speech, a team captain receiving an MVP award, or an actor accepting an award, the underlying message each sends is clear: Throughout childhood and adolescence, they had consistent, meaningful interaction with adults. In today's fast-paced, often-dehumanizing world, increasing positive adult involvement and influence is particularly vital. To further that goal, Mobilizing Adults for Positive Youth Development: Strategies for Closing the Gap between Beliefs and Behaviors brings together, in one concise volume, the advice and expertise of leading scholars dedicated to affecting positive youth development. Taken together, the chapters in this book provide a multifaceted, multidisciplinary blueprint for social change. The volume includes much-needed information on: Understanding the current state of youth development work; the world in which adolescents live; and the world in which adults function, as well as the context in which adults can establish adult-youth relationships and use community resources to ensure a successful youth development outcome. Promoting individual adult involvement in adolescents' lives to ensure positive youth development. Mobilizing individual adults through a variety of outlets, including neighborhood and community coalitions, religious institutions, and university outreach programs. Mobilizing a society of adults, through volunteer and other programs. Mobilizing Adults for Positive Youth Development: Strategies for Closing the Gap between Beliefs and Behaviors is a must-have volume for both practitioners and researchers - in fact, for anyone interested and involved in working toward achieving positive youth development.

From the reviews:

"The volume provides a number of insightful perspectives on positive youth development. ? The authors' focus on social solidarity with youths and adults working together is excellent and refreshing. ? Mobilizing Adults effectively uses developmental assumptions and theories ? for positive youth development. ? three broad groups would likely find the book to be a useful reference: (a) Those who do research on youth programs, (b) individuals who work with youths and organize programs to serve them, and (c) policy makers ? ." -(Michelle E. Schmidt, PsycCRITIQUES, 52:8, 2007)

"The edited volume ? is a collection of applied essays that attempt to draw volunteer recruitment strategies from the research literature in a range of fields. The book is divided into ecological strata that reveal potential sources of volunteers for youth development programs. ? This book is rich in examples, and it steers readers towards key research literatures and the strategies they reveal. The book is as much about who volunteers are as it is about how and where to find them." (Michael J. Karcher, Journal of Youth and Adolescence, Vol. 37, 2008)