The Task Force on Youth Development and Community Programs, convened in 1990 by the Carnegie Council on Adolescent Development, reviewed community programs for youth development through such means as a literature review, focus group discussions with young adolescents, interviews with youth development leaders, and 12 commissioned papers. Its study also included site visits to programs and organizations and a survey of independent youth agencies. The task force concluded that community-based youth development organizations constitute a valuable national resource with considerable untapped potential. More than 17,000 organizations offer community-based youth programs. They include large, well-financed and well-staffed national groups such as Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. and the YMCA; grassroots independent organizations; religious youth organizations; adult service clubs; sports organizations; senior citizens groups; and public-sector institutions such as libraries and parks and recreation departments. The report recommends that such programs tailor their content and operations to the needs and interest of young adolescents, while recognizing, valuing, and responding to their diverse backgrounds and experiences. The report further recommends that programs extend their reach to underserved adolescents and compete for the time and attention of youth during nonschool hours. Policy recommendations focus on generating community renewal through local, State, and national action. Appended commissioned papers and other project reports and profiles of 20 national organizations