The Value of a Community of Practice for Youth Development Professionals

This study presents the various forms of value that 36 youth development professionals reported from participating in a community of practice (CoP). The CoP's collaborative nature expanded participant's social capital and network; they also valued the CoP as a safe space. Participants gained knowledge and skills through the CoP, became more intentional about building trusting and equitable relationships with youth, made relationship- and equity-centered changes in their practice, and reconceptualized success for their work accordingly. The CoP increased participants' confidence, fostered their growth mindset, made their work feel less stressful, and deepened their passion for the youth development field.