1. 1 Getting Started with Helping Young People Find Their Spark

2. 2 What is a Spark?

3. 3 Sparks Illustrated

4. 4

5. 5 Search Institute’s Research Gallup Poll of 2,000 12 to 17-year-olds and 2,000 of their parents Online Poll conducted by Louis Harris polling firm with 1,000 11 to 17-year-olds Interviews with 405 teens, ages 15-17 Continued assessment in individual communities

6. 6 Three Types of Sparks

7. 7 Sparks Most Cited Athletics Creative arts Nature, ecology, the environment Learning a subject matter like science or history Helping, serving, volunteering Leading Spirituality or religion Reading Committed to living in a specific way (with joy, passion, caring, etc.) Animal welfare

8. 8 Results from Sparks Research More likely to: Have a sense of purpose Be socially competent & physically healthy Volunteer to help others Have higher grades & better attendance Less likely to: Experience depression Engage in acts of violence toward others

9. 9 How many teenagers have sparks? 31% do not 69% have a Spark

10. 10 The Challenge for Caring Adults

11. 11 The Seven Essential Questions 1. 1. What is your spark? 2. 2. When and where do you show your spark? 3. 3. Who knows your spark? 4. 4. Who helps support your spark? 5. 5. What gets in your way? 6. 6. How can I help? 7. 7. How can you use your spark to make our world better?

12. 12 Spark Champions Can …   Affirm the spark   Encourage its expression   Model the spark   Provide opportunities to express it   Run interference and help eliminate obstacles   Teach or mentor   Show up (at recitals, games, performances, play, reading, contests)

13. 13 Talking with a Child About Sparks Watch for signs of sparks - “You really seem to enjoy…” Share your own sparks - “When I was your age, I was passionate about…” Ask open-ended questions, and then listen – “What do you think your spark is?”

14. 14 Sparks in Action My mentee’s spark is singing. She is 15 and her only career goal right now is to become a famous singer… However, she can’t carry a tune at all!