Do you serve as a “trusted adult” for a young person? Could you?

Youth need trusted adults to help them navigate challenges. A dependable, reliable adult can make all the difference. A trusted adult is someone who helps provide support to youth, offering opportunities for prevention and intervention around issues that impact them¹.

Trusted adults serve as protective factors, providing a safe harbor where young people can turn for guidance, support, and understanding. Protective factors are individual or environmental characteristics that promote the health and emotional well-being of children and adolescents². Examples of a trusted adult may include a parent, aunt or uncle, grandparent, teacher, coach, school nurse, counselor, health care provider, school administrator, a community faith-based leader, or a Poe Center educator.

The common thread among trusted adults is their commitment to listening and engaging with youth, rather than lecturing or giving orders. They create an environment where open conversations can occur on important topics such as social media, mental health, vaping, puberty, alcohol, healthy relationships, bullying, and substance use.

It can be daunting to be approached by a young person looking for help. How do you handle it? You need to remember to be empathetic, open, supportive, and compassionate. You do not need to have all the answers. Listening, offering support, and connecting youth to resources are key roles of a trusted adult.

Trusted adults are a vital part of the support network for children and youth. Schools, community organizations, friends, and families each play a role in cultivating environments where young people feel seen, heard, and valued. By being a consistent presence and investing your time, you could become a positive force in a young person’s life.

At the Poe Center, programs consistently emphasize referring children and youth to these invaluable protective figures. The Poe Center has programs designed for parents and adults who serve youth, as well as programs for parents and adults to join together.

These programs are in the topics of bullying prevention, mental health, substance use prevention, navigating puberty and reproductive health, adolescent brain development, and overall wellness and nutrition.

See the Poe Center website for more information on adult programming that can help you be a trusted adult.

In addition to raising awareness, the Be the ONE Trusted Adult Campaign partners with local high schools and invites youth to nominate teachers and school staff whom they consider trusted adults. Through the nomination process, students share why they feel each nominee is a trusted adult. These insights help us better understand the qualities they value in trusted adults. The campaign is a celebration of positive role models and encourages more adults in our community to become trusted adults.

The importance of trusted adults is invaluable. Become the best trusted adult you can be. Work individually and with the community to be a protective factor for youth. Together, these efforts strengthen the meaningful relationships that are vital to youth resilience and well-being.

Have you heard of the term corporate social responsibility (CSR)? The term may sound daunting, but at its core, corporate social responsibility is the way that businesses work toward and achieve goals related to ethics, sustainability, and social impact¹. A brand or company’s easily-recognizable values, connections to social causes, and ties to the community can enhance public perception and interactions.

1. Philanthropic Responsibility: Actively seeking to make society a better place.

2. Ethical Responsibility: Operating in a fair manner towards employees, suppliers, and customers. This includes fair pay and safe working conditions.

3. Environmental Responsibility: Behaving in an environmentally friendly way by reducing harmful practices, regulating energy consumption, and offsetting negative environmental impact.

4. Economic Responsibility: Using money not just for profit, but for good.

Volunteerism can be one of the most visible forms of corporate social responsibility and can positively influence public perception of a business. Here’s how:

Volunteerism provides a long list of benefits to companies and supports the everyday needs of nonprofit organizations. Many nonprofit organizations have large projects that can be done in a day with the support of helping hands. There are many volunteer opportunities at the Poe Center, such as mulching PlayWell Park, completing a mailing project, planting garden beds in our GrowWell Garden, or volunteering at Poe Center events.

Additionally, nonprofits can benefit from skill-based volunteering, where employees lend their time and professional skills to provide support. Many employees have professional skills and backgrounds that benefit nonprofit organizations. This includes, but is not limited to, legal expertise, accounting knowledge, financial advising, subject area expertise, and assistance from local elected officials. Professional skillsets are vital to nonprofit Boards of Directors, committees, and specific projects or initiatives.

1. Higher Employee Engagement & Satisfaction: Volunteering provides employees with a sense of purpose, fosters community connections, and makes a difference. Employees involved in volunteer activities report higher career satisfaction and a greater sense of pride⁴ .
2. Reduced Employee Turnover: Employees who feel engaged and connected have 20% longer expected tenures and are 50% more likely to be in leadership positions⁵ .
3. Increased Team Morale: Team volunteerism gives coworkers the chance to connect and engage with each other outside of the workplace. This creates authentic connections outside of projects, goals, and expectations. Doing meaningful work together can strengthen team bonds and in turn enhance productivity, morale, and team culture⁵.

Volunteerism is a mutually beneficial component of corporate social responsibility. Organizations like the Poe Center are able to further their mission every day by connecting and collaborating with local companies and businesses.

The Poe Center is committed to creating a healthier future for all North Carolinians and we welcome volunteers from companies or businesses that want to be a part of our mission.