A Fresh Start for Youth Development: Goal Setting for 2026

January is a season of renewal, a time when we reflect on the past and set intentions for the future.

For youth, this moment is more than just making resolutions; it’s about building confidence, resilience, and life skills that last. At the Texas Youth Action Network (TYAN), we believe empowering adults working with youth to guide meaningful engagement is key to helping young people thrive.

Why Goal Setting Matters for Youth

Structured goal setting does more than create a checklist; it builds self-efficacy and motivation. When youth learn to set and pursue goals, they develop accountability and time management skills. These practices align with TYAN’s Positive Youth Development approach:

  • To guide communities in how to organize services, opportunities, and support.
  • To assist young people to reach their full potential through youth engagement.
  • To emphasize a shift in engaging youth as assets vs. problems to be fixed.

Helping young people set goals isn’t just about achievement; it’s about shaping a foundation for lifelong success.

Practical Tips for Helping Youth Set Goals

  • Start with the SMART Goals Framework: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
  • Encourage youth to reflect on past successes and challenges, then collaborate on activities like vision boards, journaling, or group discussions.
  • Integrating cultural and community values into goals makes them more meaningful and sustainable. For example:

“By the end of the school year, start a cultural appreciation club that meets twice a month to share traditions, music, and stories from different backgrounds, and recruit at least 15 members to participate regularly.”

A goal‑setting worksheet from the Texas Youth Action Network featuring sections for reflection, setting a goal for 2026, and breaking it down using the SMART framework. The worksheet includes labeled boxes for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time‑bound details, with space to write responses. At the bottom, text reads ‘Make it a SMART goal!’ next to a colorful target and arrow graphic.

Resolutions often fade by February, but habits stick.

  • Help youth turn big aspirations into actionable steps by breaking goals into smaller milestones.
  • Celebrate progress, not perfection, and emphasize that growth is a journey, not a destination.

January Awareness Themes

Awareness campaigns are among the most effective and versatile strategies for sparking public interest and educating your community about your nonprofit mission. They also create lasting fundraising opportunities, “on average, 40% of participants in giving or awareness days become first-time donors.”

January offers opportunities to connect goal setting with national observances:

  • National Mentoring Month
  • National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month

Key Dates:

  • Jan 11 – Human Trafficking Awareness Day
  • Jan 17 – International Mentoring Day
  • Jan 19 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
  • Jan 24 – International Day of Education

A January 2026 calendar from the Texas Youth Action Network featuring key awareness dates. The month is labeled vertically on the left. Noted observances include National Mentoring Month, National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, Human Trafficking Awareness Day on January 11, International Mentoring Day on January 17, Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 19, and the International Day of Education on January 24. The design includes colorful doodles and the Texas Youth Action Network logo.

Download a PDF printable version of TYAN’s January Awareness Calendar.

Looking ahead?

February brings Black History Month and Teen Dating Violence Awareness, while March focuses on Developmental Disabilities and Nutrition. Explore the Holiday Calendar to see all publicly celebrated themes and use it to choose the awareness topics you want to highlight throughout the year.

Plan activities that align with these themes and let youth lead in the development of these efforts. These are excellent ways to further develop your Youth-Adult Partnership (YAP) initiatives. Onecause offers a FREE and easy-to-use online guide that youth can follow to develop their own campaigns.

Activity Ideas for January

  • Host a Goal-Setting Workshop for youth and mentors led by YAP leaders.
  • Celebrate National Mentoring Month with mentor-mentee storytelling sessions.
  • Organize a Financial Wellness Challenge for teens. Revisit our 2025 blog post: Educating Youth in Financial Literacy – TYAN.
  • Incorporate the International Day of Education into classroom or after-school discussions.

Join the Movement

TYAN wants to champion your youth engagement efforts! Share your events, flyers, or social media posts with us at tyan@ppri.tamu.edu so we can amplify your impact across Texas.

Explore TYAN resources and training opportunities and subscribe to monthly activity ideas by following TYAN’s blog all year long. Together, let’s make 2026 a year of growth, empowerment, and meaningful youth engagement.

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COMMUNITY PARTNER

Organizations interested in starting or expanding their youth-adult partnerships can apply to be a Community Partner. As a Community Partner, organizations can access to exclusive materials, technical support, funding, and more!