SUGGESTIONS FOR BUILDING ASSETS

Asset # 4- Caring Neighborhood/Community

(Young people have the care and support of people who live  nearby.)

 To Build Asset #4 Parents and Extended Family Can . . .

* Encourage young people to always help the elderly and others who need it. Do this with them.

* As a family, join clean-up projects or other community projects.

* Get to know your neighbors. Visit with them when you take walks. Invite them for  dinner once in a while.

* Encourage children to share with others, for instance books or toys.

* If something concerns you about your neighborhood, talk to people about it. Don't just let it go or get worse.

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40% of youth surveyed by Search Institute have this asset in their lives.*

*Based on Search Institute surveys of almost 100,000 6th to 12th grade youth throughout the United States

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Words of Encouragement

A community can lift us up and empower us to achieve our true potential. It can also oppress us. It depends on the spirit of the community. Can you think of the strengths in our community? Can you think of the weaknesses? What can you do to strengthen these weaknesses? Do you support youth in your neighborhood and community? It's as easy as getting to know youth in your neighborhood. When you see them on the street, in a store, or somewhere in the community identify them by name. You can support neighborhood children/youth when they sell raffle tickets, cookies, popcorn, etc. Support them by going to a car-wash that they put on. You can also attend sporting events or school activities and congratulate them on their hard work afterwards. Is this complicated? At first it may be difficult to intentionally notice youth in your community and neighborhood, but after awhile it should become second nature. Just as you enjoy being known by name in your neighborhood and community, so do children and youth. Have you thought of ideas of what you can do? How can you make sure that youth experience caring neighborhoods here?