Search Institute

FREE Tips and Tools for Youth Workers and Youth Organizations

For an introduction to asset building as a youth-serving organization, read the articles below.

• Asset-building ideas for youth workers
• Asset-building practices for youth workers
  ………………………………………………………………………………………….

Assets: A Core Competency for Youth Workers

A wide variety of youth-serving organizations use Search Institute’s Developmental Assets to guide their work with children, youth, and families. Indeed, in 2004, the National Collaboration for Youth—an umbrella organization with more than 50 youth-serving systems in the United States that serve more than 40 million young people—identified building assets as a core competency for youth workers.
……………………………………………………………………………………………….

Integrating Developmental Assets into Youth Development Programs

If you’re looking for ways to start building assets through your youth development program, use some of these ideas to help you get started.

• Service-learning — When young people engage in the asset of Service to Others, they are more likely to experience more of the other assets over time.
• Peer helping — Peer-helping programs can make a big impression and have a significant impact on young people.
• Mentoring — In an asset-building organization or community, formal mentoring offers an important strategy for intentionally linking young people and adults…
• Creative activities — Art, theater, and music programs can build many Developmental Assets.
• Sports and athletics — Young people benefit a lot from sports programs—-particularly those that are balanced and age-appropriate.
• Camping — Camping takes young people away from their everyday environment and, at their best, create an asset-rich experience
• Positive Youth Development Program Outcomes — A handy and effective tool containing tips for building the Developmental Assets most linked to common positive youth development program outcomes.
  ………………………………………………………………………………………….

Search Institute’s Projects and Partners

Using Developmental Assets as a path to success.

• The Abundant Assets Alliance, with YMCA of the USA and YMCA Canada
• Is There Common Ground? An Exploratory Study of the Interests and Needs of Community-Based and Faith-Based Youth Workers, a study conducted with the National Collaboration for Youth and American Camp Association
• The Power of Youth and Adult Partnerships and Change Pathways for Youth Work, a study conducted on behalf of the W. K. Kellogg Foundation
• Deepening Impact Through Quality Youth Development Strategies and Practices, a study conducted through a partnership with Boys and Girls Clubs of America
  Young people benefit a lot from sports programs—particularly those that are balanced and age-appropriate.