GSSEM's Latest White Paper Explores the Connection Between Basic Needs & Youth Social Development

Supporting 'whole child' development is equally as important as meeting basic human needs in scarce, uncertain times.

September 10, 2025

GSSEM's latest white paper, Investing in Youth is Essential for Community Resilience, explores the strong connection between basic needs and youth social development. Supporting both in the current social environment is crucial to strengthening our communities and changing children's lives.

Programs that develop confidence, connection, and purpose are not luxuries in our current social environment. They are crucial to helping stabilize youth and provide them with skills and characteristics to lead fulfilling lives. Youth development programs give young people the tools to create lasting community change.

In 2025, federal funding cuts and delays have had significant impacts on social services across Michigan, including food security, safety, and after-school programs. Many nonprofits have already experienced gaps in their funding because of these cuts. Amid these challenges, youth in low-income families face additional barriers to participating in after-school programming and leadership development opportunities.

Psychological research, including Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and The Five C's Model of youth development, supports that basic needs are inextricably connected with developmental needs. Leadership and belonging help protect youth during times of adversity and help build resilience in young people.

While Girl Scouts does not receive federal funding, we know that meeting the basic needs of our girls goes hand in hand with their ability to experience the far-reaching academic, social, and civic outcomes of being a Girl Scout. Girl Scouts knows the importance of giving girls the foundation they need to not only survive, but to thrive.

Girl Scouting helps girls develop a strong sense of self and positive values. Girl Scouts gain the confidence to seek challenges, develop healthy relationships, and build community problem-solving skills. 82 percent of Girl Scouts want to make a positive impact on society through their work. Girl Scouts are more likely than non-Girl Scouts to volunteer and give financially. Nearly 6 in 10 Girl Scouts are interested in being a future leader in advocacy or public service.

To create a pathway to stability in social services, we must recognize the development of youth as essential to the future of our society. Girl Scouts will be the people prepared and empowered to take action to support our communities in times of financial scarcity and uncertainty because Girl Scouting helps girls become responsible, productive, caring, and engaged citizens. These attributes and skills will prove crucial to solving problems, filling gaps, and addressing the yet unknown, but long-term outcomes of today's social circumstances. We must continue investing in the next generation of girl leaders who are empowered and equipped to help build better futures.