How Community Support Transforms Youth Programs

Developmental Assets are identified by the Search Institute as the 40 building blocks all youth need to thrive. Did you know that a Caring Neighborhood and Community Valuing Youth are two of the 40 Developmental Assets? When young people experience caring neighbors and adults in the community who value them, they are able to grow as caring and connected community members. 

All youth have the potential to thrive. Adult relationships are essential to help young people grow and develop.  As adults, we can intentionally create connections with the young people around us. We don’t have to be a teacher, counselor, or after-school professional.  We can be a friend, parent, aunt or uncle, athletic coach, or community member. We all have the power to build assets in youth to help them live their potential. 

Here Some simple ways adults can build assets when interacting with young people: 

• Notice something positive about them and tell them 

• Praise their effort along with their accomplishments 

• Listen to them 

• Be honest with them about your mistakes 

• Ask what was good about their day 

• Take time to understand what excites them 

• Learn something new from them 

Discover You™ implements asset building framework and philosophies into our programs. We engage with youth and adults who impact them to equip them to tackle challenges, build resilience, care for their wellbeing, and increase academic success. When we invest our time into building assets in our youth, our community is richer for it. 

Discover You™ coach Tonia West sat down for a discussion on the Max Loves Midland show, where she shared her experiences on brining social emotional learning to her hometown. You can find the full interview here. Through her role as a Discover You™ coach and Peer-to-Peer advisor, Tonia empowers and mentors youth and connects them to community resources.