1. Asset building: Is it worth the risk??1
The asset approach:
40 elements of
healthy development
What children and youth need to succeed…..

2. …young people are valuable resources?2
Do you believe that…..
…young people are valuable resources?

3. Do you believe that… 3
…youth today are struggling to find their place in communities?

4. Do you believe that… 4
…youth today are capable of good choices that minimize personal risks?

5. A coalition committed to building assets 5
A coalition committed to building assets
and promoting the safe and healthy
development of children and youth
from birth to young adulthood.

6. Every child and youth, is safe, healthy, and valued
Vision: 6
Every child and youth,
is safe, healthy,
and valued

7. About Search Institute…7
About Search Institute…
Research traditions

8. A profile of our youth based upon research: Different Levels of Assets8
21–30 Assets
35%
31–40 Assets 9%
0–10 Assets
15%
11–20 Assets
41%
Copyright 2005 Search Institute

9. Why assets are important…9
Why assets are important…
They do
make a difference
in the lives of young people
They are the keys to success

10. The Power of Assets to Promote10
Page 3
Copyright 2005 Search Institute

11. Thriving behaviours Exhibit leadership Maintain good health11
Exhibit leadership
Maintain good health
Value diversity
Succeed in school

12. The Power of Assets to Protect….12
These behaviors have an indirect impact on learning
Transition: So Big What?
Copyright 2005 Search Institute

13. High risk behaviours Use of alcohol Violence Illicit drug use13
Use of alcohol
Violence
Illicit drug use
Sexual activity

14. Developmental AssetsTM14
Developmental AssetsTM
Building Blocks of Healthy Development for Young People
Copyright 2005 Search Institute

15. Developmental Assets 15
Positive experiences, skills, opportunities, qualities and values (What kids need to succeed)
Best provided through relationships with caring, responsible people—both adults and young people themselves
Copyright 2005 Search Institute

16. How do we build external assets?16
How do we build external assets?
SUPPORT young people with care and attention.
EMPOWER them to use their abilities to
help others.
Set reasonable BOUNDARIES AND have high EXPECTATIONS.
Help them find activities that make CONSTRUCTIVE USE OF their TIME.

17. In our daily lives….. 17
Use the external asset framework to guide our choices of programs and activities –
How does this support / empower / guide / challenge ??
If we do this, the following might result:

18. ………..internal assets? Spark their COMMITMENT TO LEARNING.18
Spark their COMMITMENT TO LEARNING.
Guide them toward a life based on POSITIVE VALUES.
Help the develop SOCIAL COMPETENCIES and life skills.
Celebrate their uniqueness and affirm their POSITIVE IDENTITY.

19. Support 19 Parent Involvement in Schooling Caring Neighborhood
1. Family Support
2. Positive Family Communication
Caring School Climate
3. Other Adult Relationships
Parent Involvement in Schooling
Copyright 2005 Search Institute

20. Empowerment 20 Community Values Youth Service to Others
Youth as Resources
Safety
Copyright 2005 Search Institute

21. Boundaries and Expectations
High Expectations 21
Boundaries and Expectations
Family Boundaries
Positive Peer Influence
School Boundaries
Adult Role Models
Neighborhood Boundaries
Copyright 2005 Search Institute

22. Constructive Use of Time 22 Creative Activities Time at Home
Youth Programs
Religious Community
Copyright 2005 Search Institute

23. How do we build internal assets?23
Spark their COMMITMENT TO LEARNING.
Guide them toward a life based on POSITIVE VALUES.
Help the develop SOCIAL COMPETENCIES and life skills.
Celebrate their uniqueness and affirm their POSITIVE IDENTITY.

24. Commitment to Learning24
Homework
Achievement Motivation
Reading for Pleasure
School Engagement
Bonding to School
Commitment to Learning
Copyright 2005 Search Institute

25. Positive Values 25 Equality and Social Justice Caring Integrity
Restraint
Honesty
Responsibility
Copyright 2005 Search Institute

26. Social Competencies 26 Planning and Decision Making
Interpersonal Competence
Cultural Competence
Resistance Skills
Peaceful Conflict Resolution
Copyright 2005 Search Institute

27. Positive Identity 27 Personal Power Self-Esteem Sense of Purpose
Positive View of Personal Future
Copyright 2005 Search Institute

28. Together we will make a difference…28
We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future.
Franklin D. Roosevelt

29. Principles of Asset Building29
Everyone can build assets
All young people need assets
Relationships are key
Asset building is an on-going process
Consistent messages are important
Intentional repetition is critical
Copyright 2005 Search Institute

30. A New View Hope 30 FROM… Young people’s  problems
As an Asset Builder you will probably find it helpful to change your view
FROM…
Young people’s  problems
Professional’s work 
Young people 
absorbing resources
Troubled young 
people
TO…
Young people’s strengths
Everyone’s work
Young people as resources
All young people
Hope

31. Applying developmental assets within our programs and actions
The challenge: How do we start with ourselves and our own communities??? 31
Applying developmental assets within our programs
and actions
Take out blue sheets and respond to the first question. Then put it away!

32. 32
Asset building is based on the awareness that it is people, not programs, that make a difference for kids.

33. Our “communities” (agencies, businesses, organizations, churches, schools) must be more than just places to visit and learn – comfortable places to be – they should be places to belong 33

34. 34
You alone can’t build assets in this community; it’s everyone’s job to build assets.
What is an asset builder?

35. Intentionality 35
We believe that children and youth will benefit tremendously when individuals and organizations commit to intentionally using an asset building framework as a central principle in guiding these areas:
program organization,
instruction and evaluation,
all activities,
community partnerships and
support services.
Beliefs and practices that limit and promote Asset Building
How do these reinforce your beliefs? Share your perspective around the table

36. What do you see in an asset building environment?36
Relationships, especially between adults and children and youth, that are mutually respectful, caring and genuine
An environment in the community that encourages asset building
Programs and practices that provide specific opportunities for asset building
Follow up with stories at tables…categorize

37. The Importance of the Asset Development Framework37
The Importance of the Asset Development Framework
Asset rich kids: More likely to avoid high risk taking behaviours
Asset rich kids: More likely to be successful in school and a service to the community
High community pay off with
positive profile for youth

38. The power of one 38
You
can
make a
difference !
It’s worth the risk!!!

39. For more information…. Check out our website: www.everykid.on.ca39
Check out our website:
Also the Search Institute: