Overview Over 2007 and 2008 the Youth Worker: Collective set out to listen to the needs, hopes, and desires of youth workers. What we heard led us to create The Four Points of Connection. The Four Points represent the crux of our work. It is our workforce development agenda. We believe if we truly want to move from the field of youth development to the profession of youth development all sectors of our field need to come together to realize the outcomes listed under each Point. Listed below is an overview of each point. To learn more about each Point, click on the title. 
Youth workers are highly committed to the field even though economic reasons force them to move from job to job. This commitment needs to be capitalized on in order to sustain long-term relationships with youth, families, and communities. Defining and clarifying the values youth workers hold helps them make values-based decisions. Additionally, although youth workers are highly committed to empowering youth, families, and communities, many times it is done at the detriment of their own healing and self-care. Efforts need to exist that foster healing, rejuvenation, self-care, and advocacy skill development. 
Youth workers have a responsibility to educate and inform others about the importance and impact of our work. Educating others is the first step in receiving societal recognition for our work as well as showcasing the high levels of satisfaction youth workers derive from their work. 
Youth workers need a large number of skills in order to do their jobs effectively. It is imperative that universities, colleges, training intermediaries, and employers work together with frontline staff to tackle the issue of creating a coordinated network of support that capitalizes on the organic nature of skill development while also moving from the field of youth development to the profession of youth development. 
Financial literacy and empowerment are key to both increasing the sustainability of youth development as well as ensuring youth worker self sufficiency. The direct result of financially literate and empowered youth workers is increased retention, improved recruitment, increased rewards, and expanded career paths.
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