Search Institute’s Healthy Communities • Healthy Youth initiative is a grassroots movement grounded in a shared vision of using the framework of Developmental Assets as a lens for strengthening communities for children and youth. To date, more than 600 communities have launched initiatives that seek to unite the community around a shared vision.
1993
The first community-wide asset building initiative, called Children First, is launched in St. Louis Park, Minnesota.
1996
Search Institute launches Healthy Communities • Healthy Youth to inspire and equip communities, schools, organizations, and families to build and sustain long-term efforts to promote the positive development of youth using the framework of Search Institute’s Developmental Assets. Thanks to major funding from Lutheran Brotherhood, Search Institute supports community initiatives with resources, technical assistance, and training. Lutheran Brotherhood also uses their national fraternal field force to distribute co-branded materials and present information about the assets to their local constituencies across the US.
A three-year grant from the Colorado Trust established a Colorado office (now the independent Assets for Colorado Youth) and provided funding for grants and technical assistance to communities and state level asset-building organizations throughout Colorado.
The first issue of Assets Magazine is published. The quarterly magazine, funded by Lutheran Brotherhood, features ideas, lessons, research news, resources, and stories from HC • HY initiatives around the country. The last issue went to print in the Spring of 2003.
1997
Search Institute hosts its first annual Healthy Communities • Healthy Youth Conference in Bloomington, Minnesota, with over 650 people from 44 states and Canada in attendance.
The HC • HY Listserv is created as a way to connect asset builders around the world.
1998
350 community initiatives throughout the country are registered with Search Institute.
A grant from the Otto Bremer Foundation funded 17 Link ‘n’ Learns and other technical support to asset-building initiatives in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. Over 900 participants from 270 communities are supported by this effort.
1999
The Jostens Our Town Award and Grant Program allows Search Institute to recognize great examples of HC • HY initiative work and provide funding for their “next leap forward.” Stories from 120 applicants from 1999 to 2003 formed the backbone for the stories featured in Assets in Action.
2000
A second Otto Bremer Foundation grant funded work in three communities to test what minimal level of Search Institute consulting and training would re-invigorate and sustain existing asset building initiatives.
A grant from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation gave Search Institute the opportunity to try new statewide strategies to mobilize Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Nevada from 2000 to 2003. This funding also supported a study of the infusion of assets in after school programs and led to the publication of More than Just a Place to Go and a companion video.
2003
The last issue of Asset Magazine is published.
2007
The Asset Champion, a monthly e-newsletter to community initiatives, is re-launched.
2008
Children First, the first community-wide asset-building initiative, celebrates its 15th year.
