ministry to teens
National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry
https://www.nfcym.org/The National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry is an organization committed to preaching the Gospel to youth and providing services and training to those who work with youth. This site lists the projects and publications sponsored by the organization. The button entitled "Youth Today" is particularly helpful in learning about early and late adolescents. Developmental needs and issues are grounded in research and presented in an easy-to-read format. There is also a links category that gives valuable information as well.
Belief Net
https://www.beliefnet.com/This is a huge site! Multifaith and independent in nature, Belief Net has a mission to "help people meet their own religious, spiritual, and moral needs by providing information, inspiration, community, stimulation, and products." The site is easy to navigate and is divided into the categories of religion, spirituality, morality, inspiration, culture, news, teens, milestones, and family. Articles, Web site addresses, and multimedia opportunities abound on this very informative site that is suitable for both teachers and students!
In the Mix
http://www.pbs.org/inthemix/This interactive site corresponds with the PBS television show, "In the Mix" and gives sound background and research on relevant topics such as alcohol, self-esteem, careers, depression, smoking, body image, sports, violence, teen immigrants, and gun control. The shows can be found in the drop-down menu. Excellent site for classroom use!
Catholic Relief Services
https://www.crs.org/As the official international Catholic relief and development agency of the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops, Catholic Relief Services draws upon a rich tradition of Scripture and Catholic social teachings that provide a vision of what a just world might look like. This well-designed site is filled with information and opportunities, including the Frontiers of Justice program for teachers.
Volunteer Match
https://www.volunteermatch.org/VolunteerMatch's powerful online database allows individuals to search thousands of one-time and ongoing opportunities by zip code, category, and date. Contributing organizations post their own opportunities, giving volunteers easy access to an accurate and diverse source of activities, including walk-a-thons, beach day cleanups, tutoring, home building, meal deliveries, and more. Sign-up can be automatic by e-mail. This is an awesome site for service coordinators!
Catholic Charities USA
https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/Catholic Charities is the nation's largest private network of independent social service agencies, with the goals of reducing poverty, supporting families, and empowering communities in the United States. The site is well maintained with current articles, links, and statistics. Excellent for teacher and student use.
Center of Concern
http://www.coc.orgSince 1971, the Center of Concern has offered moral vision and provided effective leadership in the struggle to end hunger, poverty, environmental decline, and injustice in the United States and around the world. This Web site provides reliable information and analysis on development issues, practical alternatives to current development policies and practices, suggestions for personal action, and faith reflections on this work for justice. An excellent resource!
Maryknoll
https://www.maryknoll.org/Maryknoll has many resources about mission work, multiculturalism, and global justice on this easy-to-navigate Web site. Included are links to their quality magazine, educational activities, games, and resources. A colorful and wonderful site!
Tolerance.Org
https://www.tolerance.org/Tolerance.org is a Web project of the Southern Poverty Law Center, a national nonprofit civil rights organization that promotes tolerance and diversity and combats hate and discrimination through education, investigation, and litigation. This easy-to-navigate site includes classroom tutorials for features, activities for students, and a guide to the best tolerance-related sites on the Web. Three teacher-only forums offer pen-pal classrooms and private "teacher's-room" discussions. You may also order materials from the site.
Center for Parent/Youth Understanding
http://www.cpyu.orgThe Center for Parent/Youth Understanding, a national and global network of those interested in research on adolescence and the youth culture, sponsors this excellent Web site. Social issues, trends, and needs of young people are dynamic--demanding constant research and review, and so this site attempts to follow, analyze, and share the essence of their culture with the users and subscribers to the site. Excellent resource articles and book reviews are provided on the home page. A subscription to the site gives one an incredible amount of information and analysis on youth culture.
Chicken Soup for the Soul
https://www.chickensoup.com/This Web site from the Chicken Soup for the Soul series includes an archive of featured stories that can work well in the classroom. The site also provides information on how to submit stories for inclusion in future projects.
Reverend Fun
http://www.reverendfun.comThis site is filled with funny cartoons based on the Scriptures and church Tradition. An archive with over three years' worth of cartoons and a cartoon of the day feature is available on the site. Students will enjoy these clever funnies!
Poverty Net
https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/povertyThis site is filled with resources and support for persons "working to understand and alleviate poverty." Reports, studies, and access to current statistics can easily be found on this site. Available in Spanish, French, and Italian versions as well as English. This is another great resource for justice teachers and students.
Catholic Colleges Online
https://www.catholiccollegesonline.org/The National Catholic College Admission Association offers this Web site as a gateway to Catholic colleges and universities online. Helpful information includes a list of test deadlines, required courses, and suggestions for your high schoolers. One can find advice on what to look for in a college, answers to financial aid questions, as well as links to other helpful sites. You may search for colleges by geography, size, or field of study. The site is well organized with a lot of helpful information that is easy to find, and it includes an impressive collection of links.
Multiple Intelligences Survey
https://surfaquarium.com/MI/index.htmHoward Gardner's theory of mulitiple intelligences can be instrumental in planning activities for students. The survey on this site has questions, a graph, and a key that explains the preferences, helping you learn more about your individual styles and those of your students. Easily adapted and excellent for adult or student use.
Interview with God
https://www.theinterviewwithgod.com/popup-frame.htmlIn a beautifully designed flash presentation, questions are posed to God. The responses will touch you and give you pause to ponder. A wonderful experience to share with colleagues and young people.
Writing the Journey
https://www.writingthejourney.com/index.htmJournaling is a great way to bring the mind, heart, and hands together. This Web site features some great resources and an online workshop that could be used by students who are journaling in classes. Teachers can also easily adapt ideas from this site for their journaling assignments.
Search Institute
https://www.search-institute.org/This site provides practical research, tools and resources to promote healthy, caring and responsible young people.
American Association of Suicidology
https://www.suicidology.org/National Suicide Prevention Week aims to raise awareness of ways to prevent suicide. This link to the American Association of Suicidology will provide pastoral workers with a wealth of information, including a list of crisis centers.
