SUGGESTIONS FOR BUILDING ASSETS

Asset # 8- Youth as Resources

(Young people serve useful roles in their school, family and community.)

To Build Asset #8 Parents and Extended Family Can . . .

* Have chores at home. Talk about this, so kids see the difference between being "made to do stuff" and contributing to the family needs. Involve them in deciding what tasks they will have.

* Help children identify social causes that are important to them. Discuss ways they can make a difference.

* Ask your children about what they believe and think about things. Let children know you value their input.

* Let your child be responsible for certain family needs, such as checking out summer camps, leading a family meeting, or planting a garden.

* Talk about the importance of being a good student, friend, and citizen. Help your child understand these are important roles for young people, and should be done well.

School staff can . . .

* Help keep programs like peer helpers, peer tutors, and activities where teens can help others.

* Have at least one student on the Advisory School Board.

* Make sure the Student Council is working and listened to.

* Encourage all students to lead a community project or school activity. Encourage staff to use service projects as a way to teach some of the curriculum material.

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24% 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

Youth and Adult partnerships do make a huge and positive impact on youth and their behaviors.

Here are some tips for youth, when they are working with adults.

* Communicate your ideas and feelings openly.

* Adults may not be aware of how capable you are - enlighten them.

* Adults will feel responsible for the success or failure of the project. Be willing to share in both successes and failures.

* Adults may be just as uncertain as young people; they have just learned to disguise it more.

* Criticism doesn't necessarily equate to condescension - just because they don't agree with you, doesn't mean that they are dismissing you.

Here are some tips for adults, when they are working with youth.

* Communicate your ideas and feelings openly.

* Don't expect more from the young person than you would from another adult.

* Conversely, don't excuse all indiscretions just because you are dealing with a youth.