Positive Youth Development, often called PYD, is a strengths-based framework that recognizes young people as resources to be developed—not problems to be fixed. Deeply Ingrained puts it into practice through hands-on experiences, positive relationships, meaningful responsibility, and opportunities for young people to recognize their potential.
Learn more about the broader Positive Youth Development approach and the research behind the Five Cs model.
A plain-language introduction from Youth.gov explaining what Positive Youth Development is, where the approach came from, and how positive experiences, relationships, and environments support young people.
Explore Youth.gov →A peer-reviewed academic study examining the Five Cs—Competence, Confidence, Connection, Character, and Caring—and how the model can be measured across adolescence.
Read the Five Cs Study →The Five Cs appear throughout Deeply Ingrained's programs. These examples show how hands-on work, mentoring, and meaningful responsibility support positive youth development.
Young people work through real projects, practice safe tool use, solve problems, and see visible evidence of their growing competence.
Explore Woodshop on Wheels →Staff and mentors create consistent opportunities for encouragement, honest conversation, reflection, and meaningful connection.
Explore Guided by the Grain →Participants make decisions, care for shared spaces and tools, contribute to their group, and take pride in the work they complete.
Explore GBTG: Foundations →