Reclaiming Our Prodigal Sons and Daughters: A Practical Approach for Connecting with Youth in Conflict

Reclaiming Our Prodigal Sons and Daughters offers a penetrating portrayal of the rootlessness of many of today s youth and a powerful, four-step plan for reaching them. This resource is based on the best research and practice available on positive youth development. Part one of the book discusses the nature of the problem, while part two presents a fresh model for reclaiming our prodigal sons and daughters using four steps, including cultivating trust through reparenting, cultivating competence through redirecting, cultivating responsibility through reconciling, and cultivating commitment through redeeming. The unique feature of Reclaiming Our Prodigal Sons and Daughters is its accent on the spiritual dimension of contemporary youth problems and on the role that members of faith communities can play in reclaiming youth in conflict. The book makes a strong case that we fail to meet all of a young person s needs unless we nurture their spiritual dimension.

Scott J. Larson, D. Min., is president of Straight Ahead Ministries, which he cofounded with his wife, Hanne. This organization provides faith-based services for troubled youth in more than 150 facilities for delinquents in 11 states. At the heart of this organization are the programs that train volunteers to provide Bible studies and youth leadership development for at-risk youth. <P>Larry K. Brendtro, Ph.D., is president of Reclaiming Youth International, a nonprofit organization that provides research and training, with offices in South Dakota and Michigan. He has been a youthworker, and teacher, and psychologist, and for 14 years, he headed the Starr Commonwealth Schools, which served troubled youth and families in Michigan and Ohio. He has been on the faculty of the University of Illinois, Ohio State University, adn Augustana College.