Looking back on the asset journey
For many of us, New Year's resolutions are grandly made and easily broken. Why? A resolution is a decision to change something, most often without a clue as to how to proceed. What if we could turn all of those decisions into promises? And turn that promise into a plan. Then the things that we resolve to do, really do happen.

An example of a successful resolution involves the Amherst Task Force and its Asset Building Initiative. Ten plus years ago, the Task Force made a conscious decision to begin to build assets in the young people in Amherst.

No, Asset Building does not mean that a decision was made to throw money into the bank accounts or portfolios of our youth. It meant that we were going to give them the tools that they needed to make themselves successful.

The Search Institute of Minneapolis has identified 40 concrete, positive experiences and qualities - "developmental assets" - that have a tremendous influence on young people's lives. These developmental assets help young people make wise decisions, choose positive paths, and grow up competent, caring, and responsible. These assets are grouped into eight categories;

• Support: Young people need to experience support, care, and love from their families and many others. They need organizations and institutions that provide positive, supportive environments.

• Empowerment: Young people need to be valued by their community and have opportunities to contribute to others. For this to occur, they must feel safe and secure.

• Boundaries and expectations: Young people need to know what is expected of them and whether activities and behaviors are "in bounds" or "out of bounds."

• Constructive use of time: Young people need constructive, enriching opportunities for growth through creative activities, youth programs, congregational involvement, and quality time at home.

• Commitment to learning: Young people need to develop a lifelong commitment to education and learning.

• Positive values: Youth need to develop strong values that guide their choices.

• Social competencies: Young people need skills and competencies that equip them to make positive choices, to build relationships, and to succeed in life.

• Positive identity: Young people need a strong sense of their own power, purpose, worth, and promise.

Once the Task Force became familiar with the "Assets" it was decided, or should I say resolved, to implement the Asset Initiative here in Amherst. Following that decision a plan of action emerged and today that plan is still in place.

Over the course of the last 10 years, we have seen measured increases in the number of assets Amherst youth have (measured through a survey conducted in grades 8, 10, and 12 in Amherst public schools). The nice thing about the Asset Initiative is that it includes, and counts on, everyone. Families, schools, neighborhoods, congregations, and all organizations, institutions, and individuals in a community play a rule. In fact the more people involved the stronger the assets become.

Everyone can build assets. It doesn't necessarily take a lot of money. But it can make a tremendous difference in raising confident, caring young people. What it takes is build relationships, spending time together, and being intentional about nurturing positive values and commitments. Some things you can do:

On your own: • Get to know the names of the young people in your neighborhood. Find out what interests them.

• Get to know what young people today are really about - what to they like to do, what they value in other people, in themselves, etc.

• Eat at least one meal together every day as a family. Take time to talk about what's going on in each other's lives.

• Volunteer as a tutor, mentor, or youth leader in a youth-serving program.

In your organization:

• Educate your employees and customers about their potential as asset builders

• Develop policies that allow for the development of

assets

• Contribute to the support of asset building efforts

In your community:

• Talk about asset building

• Conduct a survey to measure the asset levels of young people in your community.

• Develop opportunities for youth

to contribute.

• Celebrate and recognize those asset builders who dedicate themselves to children and youth in your community.

2008 will lend new opportunities to grow in our effort. The Task Force would like to invite you join us in our efforts. This is the year for you to get involved!

For more information, contact Anne Rohrer or Kathy Mobarak-Miller at 631-7215 or e-mail Sally Yageric at Sally@eccpasa.info. Members of the Task Force are available to speak one-on-one to individuals wishing to become involved or to groups of people who want to learn more. Make 2008 the year that you become involved.

Your comments and suggestions are welcome. If you have an idea for a topic, please let us hear from you. Send a note to the Amherst Task Force, 4255 Harlem Road, Amherst, NY 14226 or e-mail Sally@eccpasa.info.