One of these days, the young people in your home, school, neighborhood, workplace and community will be the people in charge – in charge of their own lives, in charge of our community, in charge of the world – your world.
Don’t wait another day, be part of building assets in youth starting today!
If we want to ensure the best life possible for the next generation, every community member needs to get involved. No act is too small! Raising great kids is so much easier when all adults use their natural abilities to name, know, watch out for, cherish, and support young people.
Start today! What young people do you know? What asset(s) can you make an impact upon? What are you involved in where you could make a difference in the lives of young people?
SUPPORT YOUNG PEOPLE
Young people need to be surrounded by adults and peers who love, care for, appreciate, and accept them. They need to know that they beong and that they are not alone.
EMPOWER YOUNG PEOPLE
Young people need to feel valued and valuable. This happens when youth feel safe, when they believe that they are liked and respected, and when they contribute to their families and communities.
SET BOUNDARIES AND EXPECTATIONS
Young people need the positive influence of peers and adults who encourage then to be and do their best. Youth also need clear rules about appropriate behavior and consistent, reasonable consequences for breaking those rules.
HELP YOUTH USE THEIR TIME CONSTRUCTIVELY
Young people need opportunities, outside of school, to learn and develop new skills and interests and to spend enjoyable time interacting with other youth and adults.
INSTILL A COMMITMENT TO LEARNING
Young people need a variety of learning experiences, including the desire for academic success, a sense of the lasting importance of learning, and a belief in their own abilities.
MODEL POSITIVE VALUES
Young people need to develop strong guiding values or principles, including carign about others, having high standards for personal character, and believing in protecting their own well-being.
DEMONSTRATE SOCIAL COMPETENCIES
Young people need to develop the skills to interact effectively with others, to make difficult decisions and choices, and to cope with new situations.
PROMOTE POSITIVE IDENTITY
Young people need to believe in their own self-sorth, to feel that they have control over the things that happen to then, and to have a sense of purpose in life as well as a positive view of the future.
Above descriptions from Parent, Teacher, Mentor, Friend: How every adult can change kids’ lives – Peter Benson (author).
One Hundred Years from now
(excerpt from “Within My Power” by Forest Witcraft)
One Hundred Years from now it will not matter what kind of car I drove, what kind of house I lived in, how much money was in my bank account nor what my clothes looked like. But the world may be a better place because I was important in the life of a child.
