Our Mission: Positive Youth Development

Roots of Action is grounded in the belief that childhood and adolescence are interior journeys of growth and self-discovery—an integration of mind, body, heart, and spirit. This site was created to support parents, teachers, and youth mentors in fostering positive youth development and nurturing the inner strengths that help young people thrive.

Founded by developmental psychologist Dr. Marilyn Price-Mitchell, Roots of Action is informed by her research-based framework for positive youth development, introduced in Tomorrow’s Change Makers: Reclaiming the Power of Citizenship for a New Generation. Known as the Compass Advantage, the model identifies eight interconnected abilities that are easily understood by children, families, and educators. Research shows these attributes are the roots of personal, academic, career, and life success—supporting the development of caring family members, innovative workers, ethical leaders, and engaged citizens.

Families, schools, and communities share a responsibility to redefine success for a new generation—moving beyond narrow measures of achievement toward relationships and experiences that foster health, wholeness, and well-being. The Roots of Action article archive reflects this commitment. Organized around the eight Compass attributes, these articles are freely available to parents, educators, schools, and nonprofits, with reprint guidelines provided to encourage thoughtful sharing and educational use.

This site serves as a resource for learning, reflection, and application. Please explore our free resources and an interactive map of Compass Advantage.