Amherst youth find strength, challenges among their assets
In the July 2006 Healthy Community*Healthy Youth column, information about the Search Institute's 40

Developmental Assets for Healthy Youth Development was highlighted as the wellness framework many organizations and citizens in our town are using to be effective in helping all Amherst youth achieve a healthy future and success.

This month's column is focused on the comments of young people who are knowledgeable about the 40 Assets and are intentionally strengthening assets in their lives and in the lives of other young people through the Town of Amherst Youth Board's Amherst Youth Consortium.

Katie, age 17: "I believe my strongest asset is my family. They positively encourage me in everything I do whether it is sports, school or service in the community. I can always turn to them for support and advice. They keep me in line and love me with all their heart. It is really nice to have a wonderful family."

Stephanie, age 16: "I have a distinct set of goals and plan for what I want to achieve in the future and I am excited for what the future holds. My strongest asset is my positive view of my personal future."

Avery, age 16: "My family is always there for me. They encourage me to make good choices, do the right thing and will support me with my decisions."

Rachel, age 16: "I have been told that I have an exceptional amount of integrity, Asset number 28. stick to my beliefs and views on things regardless of the negative pressure that happens in high school. I am able to be what I am, defining myself and living above the influence. It isn't hard for me to accept myself individually and to stick to my instincts and morals."

Esha, age 15: "The strongest asset I have is my commitment to learning. I am always motivated to do well in school as well as learning new things from my family and my community. I listen to others and I never shut down an opportunity to improve myself and others around me."

Ashley, age 15: "Positive peer influence is one of my strongest assets because peers have such a huge impact on you and your life."

Female, age 15: "One of my strongest assets is high expectations. My parents expect me to do well in school and in my outside activities. My teachers encourage me too because they want me to succeed."

Caroline, age 15: "One asset I would like to strengthen is homework. I usually don't get home on school nights until 11 p.m. By then I am exhausted. I'll tell myself I'll do it in study hall the next day, but then I sleep through the study hall and my homework doesn't get done. I plan on staying up late at night and finishing all of my homework. I could even do half, and then push myself to do the rest in study hall."

Chelsea, age 15: "Asset number 20, time at home, is my strongest asset. I spend a lot of time with my family and I am very close to both my parents."

Larisa, age 14: "There are two assets that I feel I should strengthen. One is I would like to be given useful roles in my community. The other is I would like to serve my community one hour or more per week. My plan on achieving these assets is to get really involved in the Amherst Youth Consortium. I want this community to know that I am here to help in any way possible. I love helping and I guess I want to feel more a part of my community."

Maria, age 14: "I think my strongest asset is family support. I am doing the right things because of my role models, which would be my family. They care about me just as much as I care about them."

Kristen, age 14: "All my assets are strong and influence my life in a positive way. If I had to choose, I pick the asset of responsibility as my strongest. Responsibility has aided me in my many academic achievements, athletic ness and within my family."

Andrew, age 13: " My strongest asset is honesty. I know people can trust me and that makes them respect me."

Christina, age 13: "I believe one of my strongest assets is responsibility. When you have responsibility, people can trust you to do the right thing. For example, sometimes

at home I am responsible for

taking care of my sisters. I am also responsible for doing well in school."

Katie, age 13: "One of my strongest assets are the youth programs I participate in. As a young adult in the community of Amherst, I believe it is my duty to be active. I enjoy running for school, being part of the All School Council at Sweet Home, and working in technology and other clubs."

Jake, age 13: "I want to strengthen Asset number 20, time at home. I plan on hanging out with family and getting my family, and my best friends' families together more often."

As much as it is important for all adults to be introduced to the 40 Assets for Healthy Youth development, it is equally important for youth, from middle school through high school, to be introduced to the 40 Assets. A complete listing of the 40 Developmental Assets for Healthy Youth Development may be found at www.search-institute.org or by contacting the Amherst Task Force at 631-7215.