DeKalb County KEYS - Keep Encouraging Youth to Succeed

ARE YOU UP FOR THE CHALLENGE?

Mary — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:50:01 +0000

Grab your 7 seven smartest friends and join us for our first team trivia challenge on Friday, February 17th! You’re team could win $500 to benefit your designated local non-profit organization.

Registration open January 25th and will close February 10th, or once 20 teams have registered.

Rules and registeration form here

Mary — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 18:09:23 +0000

Congratulations to the 2011 KEYS – Pumpkin Fest Youth Partnership Award Winners!

For the third consecutive year, Ideal Industries and Spartan REACH have been awarded the KEYS – Pumpkin Fest Youth Partnership Award for the 2011 Pumpkin Fest Parade.

The Pumpkin Fest Youth Partnership Award was created by DeKalb County KEYS (Keep Encouraging Youth to Succeed) as a way to formally recognize a local organization that actively involves youth as resources, demonstrates they value youth, provides adult role models and seeks out the creative skills of young people through the process of creating a float for the Pumpkin Fest parade.

The Ideal/Spartan Reach took a team approach to constructing their 2011 parade float. During every work session young people were actively engaged in the process. The students helped with the design and construction of the float and recommended changes along the way. They were taught how to use various power tools and then utilized those new skills though helping design and build float props.

According to Ideal employee, Caprice Perez, “Every year we do this we all gain something from the experience. The students are given an opportunity to work with adults as equal partners vs. the typical role teachers’ play in students’ lives. This is a different type of interaction than they are used to experiencing. Every year, the Ideal employees gain a better understanding of youth and potential they offer. After a couple of work sessions, the adults start to see the students’ confidence increase and that’s what really gets the adults excited.”

We applaud Ideal Industries for their continued investment in youth. Time and time again, this company is facilitating and helping to nurture the opportunities, skills, relationships, values, and self-perceptions that all young people need and deserve. That foundation of strength will then help them navigate and thrive in their future years.

Welcome to DeKalb County KEYS

Mary — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:07:32 +0000

In the fall of 2007, the DeKalb County KEYS Initiative was developed. Our mission is to engage our community in building developmental assets with our youth. By working together, we CAN help our youth succeed.

Young eyes are watching you

admin — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 19:47:46 +0000

Sometimes adults do things they aren’t proud of—swear, watch too much television, argue. Making mistakes is understandable, but remember young people look up to adults. They see you—especially if you’re a parent—as the type of person they want to become someday. They want heroes. That’s why it’s so important to be the best person you can be. Adult Role Models is Asset 14 of Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets, the qualities, experiences, and relationships that help young people grow up healthy, caring, and responsible.

Thanks for all you do!

admin — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 17:53:30 +0000

Presentation to Coach David Rohlman and Darius McNeal for being a shining example of what it means to be a resident of District #428 and to be a Barb!!!

Hard at Work

admin — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 15:59:40 +0000

After the enormous turnout at the KEY Leaders breakfast, the DC KEYS team went right to work planning speaking engagements, fundraising, and future projects. There is no rest for this motivated team dedicated to serving the youth of DeKalb County.

Tips for building Adult Role Models asset

admin — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 13:02:22 +0000

According to experts, what most young people need more than anything else in their lives is positive social interaction with adults.

These interactions expose young people to real-life heroes. Be a role model for the young people around you, and help them find other responsible adults to be part of their lives as well. The more positive role models young people have, the better!

Also try this:

In your home and family: Do your best to model appropriate behavior at all times. When you make mistakes, admit them. Apologize for missteps.
In your neighborhood and community group: Don’t be afraid to start a conversation with a young person in your neighborhood. Begin by asking: How did you meet your best friend? What is your favorite family tradition?
In your school or youth program: As a group, list questions young people can ask their adult role models to learn more about choices they made. Then, have students or participants interview that person. Discuss their findings.

Want to know more about the 40 Developmental Assets and ideas for helping young people build them? Visit the Search Institute’s website.