Over the summer, I sent out a brief two-question survey to get a snapshot of youth safety policies and youth participation on congregational boards across the region. I know that in many congregations, the person best suited to respond was on vacation or otherwise unavailable—but I still received about 20 responses and wanted to share what I learned. If you don’t see your congregation represented in these themes, please reach out! I’d love to expand this perspective together.

Safety

In reviewing responses, one thing became clear: policy and practice can create the conditions for youth inclusion, even in congregations with few or no youth currently attending.

Many congregations (regardless of current youth participation) have safety policies in place or in development. This underscores a shared value that safety is foundational to welcoming and including young people. One standout example: a congregation whose youth group actively reviews the parts of the safety policy they’re responsible for—a simple, powerful way of including those most impacted by the policies made on their behalf.

Some congregations shared that they’re looking to update pre-2020 policies to meet the current moment including the youth mental health crisis, lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, and the need for community resilience in the face of increasing threats to bodily autonomy, especially for trans, immigrant, and otherwise marginalized people. One congregation without current youth attendance has still built an intergenerational support team and is actively partnering with local agencies to address community needs through offerings like a toddler group and a teen center.

We recognize that updating and implementing safety policies, especially in small congregations with limited staff or volunteers, can feel overwhelming. Some of you shared that this work is falling to one person, or that you feel isolated trying to “get up to speed.” You are not alone! The New England Region and the Lifespan Faith Engagement Office are here to support you. Reach out to your Primary Contact or email youth@uua.org (that’s me) for a conversation.

In the spirit of shared learning, we’ll be hosting an online gathering on Tuesday, November 18 from 1:00 to 2:15pm ET for anyone wanting to share experiences or deepen understanding of UU philosophy and practical implementation of youth safety policies. All professional and lay Religious Educators (as listed on my.uua.org) will receive an invite; if you, too, are interested but not on that list please email the Region at newengland@uua.org.

For congregations ready to write or revise your policy, we recommend starting with the Fourteen Recommended Practices for Safety in Youth Ministry from the Safer Congregations team.

Also, through our collective UUA membership, you have free access to YIPA (Youth Intervention Programs Association). Their bite-sized online trainings are especially useful for those working with youth in volunteer or staff roles. I highly recommend their Updated Considerations for Mandated Reporting course. To access YIPA trainings, just create an account using this login.

And check out the Safety and Security in Troubled Times section of the UUA’s Community Resilience Hub to learn how to prioritize preparation work, what areas to pay attention to, and some basic knowledge on how to respond to everything from fire to a disruptive person to active shooter to protests.

Leadership

While one congregation noted that they have a couple young adults in their 20s co-chairing committees and serving on the board, unsurprisingly, no congregation reported having a youth on their board of trustees currently, though some did have a seat reserved written into their by-laws. And that’s all good! Having a youth on the board isn’t the top indicator of youth inclusion. Without the leadership development and support structures to help a young person thrive in that role, it’s more faithful to focus on building those foundations first. True inclusion is less about filling a seat and more about creating meaningful pathways for engagement.

Formal leadership roles aren’t the only—or even the primary—way to center youth perspectives. Many of you shared that youth are finding belonging by serving on tech teams, contributing as worship leaders, or participating in service-learning projects. These roles can feel more flexible, relational, and responsive to the gifts youth bring—especially in a time when energy for traditional leadership pathways is low.

There’s no one-size-fits-all model. What matters is that we create real opportunities for discernment, purpose, and contribution. If you’re looking for inspiration, check out this resource on Centering in Gifts in Spiritual Leadership—it’s a great starting point for supporting youth (and others) in finding meaningful ways to serve.

Creating structures that make room for youth is about not waiting for them to show up, but making sure they have a place to land when they do. Safety policies and leadership pathways are foundational strategies for inclusion, and they are also acts of faith in a future where youth are valued, trusted, and deeply needed.

Thank you to everyone who shared your realities, challenges, and hopes. This work is ongoing, and we’re in it together.