A Positive Vision for Young People
At a time when many people feel overwhelmed by the problems and challenges
facing children and adolescents, communities across the country are discovering
new energy in working together toward a positive vision for young people.
Instead of focusing only on reducing risks and intervening in problems,
these communities are rallying to rebuild the foundation of development
that all young people need--a foundation that has crumbled for far too
many young people in our society.
Uniting a community to nurture the positive development of youth is
much like playing in a jazz ensemble. Each musician must know the tune
and listen to the other ensemble members; all players must improvise together--sometimes
taking the lead and sometimes blending into the background.
To create a community-wide commitment to youth, all the "players" need
to be an ensemble--working toward a common vision of what is needed to
promote the healthy development of young people.
Since 1993,
Search Institute has been
working with communities toward that vision, expanding upon a 30-year tradition
of applied research into youth development. In 1996, the institute launched
a national Healthy Communities - Healthy Youth (HC•HY) initiative to support
communities in their work. Based on Search Institute's framework of
developmental
assets, this initiative seeks to motivate and equip individuals, organizations,
and their leaders to join together in nurturing competent, caring, and
responsible children and adolescents.
There's Much More!
Search Institute's Web site is filled with information related to the Healthy
Communities - Healthy Youth initiative. Here are some places to look:
