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1999 Volunteer Leadership Training Guide
Build Assets to Help Youth Succeed
How You Can Build Assets
Handout 4
Printer Friendly Version (PDF)
Although asset building does not take a lot of money, it can make a
tremendous difference in raising confident, caring young people. What it takes
is building relationships, spending time together and being intentional about
nurturing positive values and commitments.
. . . On Your Own
Some things you can do:
- Get to know the names of kids who live around you. Find out what
interests them.
- Get to know what young people around you are really like, not just how
they are portrayed in the media.
- 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
If your are involved in an organization such as a school, youth organization,
congregation, family service agency, health care provider or business – either
as an employer, employee or volunteer – you can encourage asset-building action
within that organization.
- Educate your constituency, employers or customers about their potential
as asset builders.
- Develop policies that allow parents to be involved in their children’s
lives and that encourage all employers to get involved with kids in the
community.
- Contribute time, talent or resources to support community asset-building
efforts.
- Develop or strengthen programs and activities that build assets, such as
mentoring, service-learning, peer helping and recreation.
. . . In Your Community
Coordinated strategies will be more likely to succeed. Use your influence in
the community to:
- Talk about asset building with formal and informal leaders and other
influential people you know. Get their support for asset building.
- Develop opportunities for youth to contribute to the community through
sharing their perspectives and taking action and leadership.
- Celebrate and honor the commitments of people who dedicate their lives
and time to children and youth.
Source: Search Institute (1997). The asset approach: Giving kids what
they need to succeed. Minneapolis, Minnesota: Author.
Back to 1999 Volunteer Leader Training Guide
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