A few years back, many of us who were working together in youth programs and prevention faced a crisis of sorts.  We we re getting burned out and frustrated with the traditional educational approaches we were using. 

While we were busy running after-school programs, teaching prevention curriculum, and working on policy changes, our culture was shifting.  We were becoming a more mobile and materialistic society with fewer role models for kids.  Through video games, ipods, internet and other high tech gadgets, young people were growing more isolated from adults and even one another.  Divorce and separation of parents increased.  Somewhere along the line we stopped valuing kids as a culture and began to exploit and mistrust them.  Only 22% of young people today feel that their own community cares about them.  Less than a third say they have adults that are mature and stable role models in their lives.

Then we discovered the developmental asset framework.  It's a model that includes not only the schools, but parents, youth workers, businesses and the faith community.  The results have been amazing.  The community has responded well, our workers are re-energized, and new initiatives, programs and opportunities are springing up.  We all have a role in building assets.

The research behind developmental assets is compelling.  It's why we have placed the asset model at the core of our community's approach to youth prevention.  When we build assets in young people we reduce drug and alcohol use, high risk sexuality, and violence while improving grades and  growing leadership skills.  The links at the right help demonstrate the incredible power of assets to both protect our young people and promote positive characteristics.