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Asset building helps children Local educators are trying to get adults to reconnect with youth to give them the building blocks they need to build a successful future. The Developmental Assets Program originated from Minnesota's Search Institute. It is a framework that identifies the relationships, experiences, opportunities and personal qualities that children and adolescents need to grow up healthy and responsible. It's a philosophical approach to working with kids, said Dave Comrie, the program's coordinator. It comes from a model of respect. It is the same philosophy embraced by the Boys and Girls Clubs, said Comrie, an alternate-education teacher at the Kamloops Community Learning Centre (KCLC). And focuses on 40 developmental assets needed by youth like family support and safety to succeed. The assets of Kamloops high school students were assessed in December 2002. Out of 40 developmental assets, Kamloops students averaged 18.5, slightly above the national average. Students with a higher number of assets were less likely to engage in risky behavior, like drinking and smoking, and were more likely to be healthier and have better success at school. We have to reawaken that feeling of valuing our youth. A developmental asset building workshop will be held Sept. 25 at the KCLC. The workshop will be run through the city's Parks and Recreation department and will give adults the skills to improve the well being of youth.
See
http://www.cyc-net.org/cyc-online/cycol-1299-assets.html |
