Here is an assortment of ideas businesses around the country have used to engage in asset building with community initiatives:
1) Show Kids You Care
Welch Cleaners in Wichita, Kansas returned dry-cleaned clothes on hangers featuring “3 simple ways to show a child you care” selected from Search Institute’s 150 Ways to Show Kids You Care poster.
2) Get in Touch
Initiatives in Monroe County, New York worked with their local Wegman’s Grocery stores to distribute 1.5 million plastic shopping bags bearing an asset-building message and local contact information to get customers involved with area initiatives.
3) Find out What’s Going on
Mason City, Iowa’s Youth Task Force surveyed local businesses about how youth—-as employees and customers—-were treated.
4) Show off Kids’ Talents
An art gallery in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, partnered with a local elementary school to hold an art contest for the students. The gallery framed the winning entries and held a mini-showing for the students and their invited guests.
5) Get the Word out
Ohio County, Kentucky, hair stylists are trained in the Developmental Assets and given framed signs to put on their counters with a message inviting patrons to ask them about the assets.
6) Pitch in
A local hardware store in Warren County, Pennsylvania, started a gift registry for the high school so that community members could donate supplies for a community painting day.
7) Train Asset Builders
Bunn-O-Matic in Union County, Iowa, offered their staff leadership training to local high school students and teachers.
8) Raise Awareness
Kaiser Permanente sponsored a youth theater troupe that performed around Colorado, providing information on a variety of health topics for teens.
9) Help Kids Create
Kodak of Rochester, New York, provided disposable cameras to all the young people attending the Rochester Initiative’s annual conference so they were able to “capture asset-building moments” on film.
10) Get Involved
Lemonade Day is a unique partnership between a Texas foundation, businesses, schools, and youth organizations that provides a way for students across America to become entrepreneurs as they plan and run their own lemonade stands.
