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Visit our website: www.dekalbcountykeys.org |
The KEYS to the Future |
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july 2009 |
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To learn more about Search Institute’s asset categories or the 40 Developmental Assets and ideas for helping young people build them visit www.search-institute.org/assets
Developmental Assets® are positive factors within young people, families, communities, schools, and other settings that research has found to be important in promoting the healthy development of young people. From Instant Assets: 52 Short and Simple E-Mails for Sharing the Asset Message. Copyright © 2007 by Search Institute®, 877-240-7251; www.search-institute.org. This message may be reproduced for educational, noncommercial uses only (with this copyright line). All rights reserved.
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Asset Category: Support
Who are the people that really support you in your life? These people are important champions. They cheer us on when things go well. They stick with us when life throws us a curve ball. They listen. They ask questions. They smile. They hug. They’re people we like to be around.
What kind of a champion are you for your child? Are you a fair-weather supporter? A rain-or-shine supporter? What’s your unique way of supporting and loving your child?
Your love and support for your child are critical. But you can’t go it alone. You need others. Your child needs others. How supported and cared for does your child feel by teachers, neighbors, coaches, grandparents, aunts, uncles, parents of their friends, youth workers, and mentors? These other key adults are important players in helping your child jump over the hurdles in life. In fact, the more supportive adults your child has, the better. And by nurturing and loving all the children in our communities, we help them grow to be loving, caring people themselves.
Search Institute researchers have identified six specific assets in the support category that are crucial for helping young people grow up healthy.
· Family support - Family life provides high levels of love and support. · Positive family communication - You and your child communicate positively, and your child is willing to seek you out for advice and counsel. · Other adult relationships - Your child receives support from three or more non-parent adults. · Caring neighborhood - Your child experiences caring neighbors. · Caring climate - External (out of home) environments provide a caring, encouraging environment for your child. · Parent involvement in schooling - You are actively involved in helping your child succeed in school.
Here are the facts Research shows that young people who serve others in the community for one or more hours a week are more apt to be respectful of others, helpful and kind, and patient. They also tend to value diversity. Encourage all young people to recognize the value of helping others.
Tips for building this asset
Developing bonds with young people takes listening and giving of yourself as needed. Be patient. Different kids and situations call for different kinds of support. Comfort, encourage, and help young people. Or simply be there for them. Remember that support doesn’t have to be big or loud to be meaningful.
Also try this
In your home and family: Have each family member name three ways the family supports her or him. Discuss these, as well as the areas (and ways) in which each family member would like to receive more support.
In your neighborhood and community: Model support for young people by being supportive toward others in your neighborhood, both youth and adults—praise them, take time for them, show an interest in them, and work to understand them.
In your school or youth program: Encourage access to at least one caring adult for each young person in the school or youth program.
Assets in Action DeKalb County Youth Service Bureau (YSB) recently held its Spring Bike Auction. Before it officially began, the Executive Director addressed the crowd of approximately 75-100 people and then something happened that drew applause from the crowd. A young man who receives services from YSB stepped on stage with a microphone and spoke on behalf of YSB. He shared with the crowd a story about the help he and his family have received from YSB.
This young man did not have to do this and received nothing but gratitude in return. What was most impressive is that he had all the opportunity in the world to back out, but he was compelled and courageous enough to brave the crowd. The following Monday, YSB received a phone call from a mother that was requesting services for her daughter. She stated that she attended the bike auction and was so moved by the young speaker and his willingness to speak on YSB’s behalf that she decided to get her family involved in services.
Share your Asset stories with us! What are you doing to get more young people engaged in community service? Are you creating opportunities and actively recruiting young people to get involved? As parents, are you helping your child find ways to engage in community service, are you doing it together? If you have seen or been a part of a story that shows Assets in use, please email us so we can share your story with our readers. Reach us at info@dekalbcountykeys.org.
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