Building Assets in Your Community

Everywhere you go, everyday, you have the opportunity to build assets and make a difference in the lives of the youth in our community. All the little things you do add up quickly. You do make a difference!

• There are several local projects focused on asset building that are looking for help.
• Get involved with Youth First spreading the message about assets and the power of our community.
• Learn more about asset building
• Learn the names of the youth you see often, and greet them by name
• Model a positive, healthy, lifestyle
• Support local efforts to provide asset building opportunities for young people
• Involve youth as volunteers and leaders in the activities you do in the community
• Celebrate the cultural diversity of your community
  • Make a friend from another culture
  • Attend cultural events and celebrations
  • Learn about another culture and find things you enjoy about it or can learn from it
  • Enjoy the richness of the diversity
• Treat everyone with respect
• Examine your attitudes about our youth. See young people as assets, not problems
• Report dangerous and inappropriate behavior to parents, school officials, or law enforcement agencies.

For Employers

• Acknowledge major accomplishments and milestones in young employees' lives
• Give your employees a lot of feedback - be sincere in your praise when young people have worked hard to earn it; be clear about your expectations and make sure youth have the opportunity to define their goals and objectives; and tell them how their work contributes to the success of the organization
• Tell young people what you expect them to do and how you expect them to act when they are working
• Invite young people to conferences, workshops and seminars
• Point out the positive values that your organization believes in
• Develop family friendly policies that allow parents to be involved in the lives of their children
• Allow youth the opportunity to develop skills through employment or internships
• Encourage all employees to actively be involved in helping our youth gain assets

For Church Groups

The wonderful thing about asset building, is no matter what your beliefs, we all want to see our youth succeed. The assets give us a common language to talk about our common goals and hopes.

• Identify how what you do already builds assets
• Include youth on planning teams
• Give youth responsibilities
• Form partnerships with other groups interested in building assets in our youth
• Focus on creating an atmosphere for youth that is warm and caring and helps young people feel valued
• Foster intergenerational relationships in your congregation
• Make community service a central part of what you do with your youth

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”
- Gandhi

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