Some because they're so emotional. Like the story of a homeless mom of four searching for a place for her children to live after she died of cancer.
Some because you go through such agony for them that they become indelibly imprinted in your memory. Like the time I spent the entire night in my car in subzero temps to demonstrate how to survive being stranded in a blizzard.
Some because you learn something so valuable that it changes the way you do things in your own life. Like the story I did about building assets in the lives of young people.
The very first post I wrote in this Parenting Teens section of my blog was called "Nice Assets." You can refer back to it here if you like (or you can just scroll down, frankly, it wasn't that long ago). Basically, building assets means giving young people the things they need to succeed.
The Search Institute came up with a list of 40 things kids need. What it really comes down to is spending time with kids, letting them know they matter, letting them make decisions, giving them groups to belong to, making sure they have caring adults in their lives, helping families function better.
I did my first television news story about asset building years ago. Ever since then I've been on the lookout for people, companies, products, organizations that build assets. I've wanted to find a way to hold them up, salute them, honor them.
As a reporter, I really couldn't do that. As a blogger, I can.
I'll give you an e xample....then...keep reading...I'm kicking off a contest here. The first ever "If You Can Spot An Asset Builder Both You and the Asset Builder Win Contest."
Assets in Action:
Example #1
Meet Stacey.
She runs a very cool shop, Il Vostro Boutique, in a suburb around these parts called Edina. It has become the store you are most likely to find me in because the dresses and jewelry are a-maz-ing.
So, not surprisingly, last weekend I was shopping at Il Vostro Boutique. I bought a Halle Bob purple top with this cool black velvet pattern and.... wait, that's not what we're here to talk about.
Now meet....
....JacQueline, Ladon and Jihan. They had set up a table in Il Vostro Boutique with information about something important they're involved in. Ladon and Jihan go to a local urban high school and they're working with other girls to try to stop violence among girls there. I think that's way cool. I think these girls are strong. And brave. JacQueline is a consultant at another urban school. I think it's awesome she spent her Saturday hanging with the girls supporting their work.
All three are involved involved in a program called Girls in Action. It's all about empowering girls, developing them as leaders, getting them involved i n the community, increasing attendance, improving cross-cultural relationships, the list goes on and on. Here's the Girls in Action web address: http://www.giaction.org/.
This program has asset building stamped all over it. It helps create a caring school environment (asset #4), creates a community that values youth (asset #7), treats youth as resources (asset #8), encourages youth to serve others (asset #9), helps young people feel safe (asset #10), provides adult role models, (asset #14), models positive values of caring, equality and social justice, integrity, honesty, responsibility, restraint (assets 26-31), develops social competencies such as planning and decision making, interpersonal competence, cultural competence, resistance skills and peaceful conflict resolution (assets #32-36), and creates positive identity through personal power, self-esteem, sense of purpose and positive view of personal future (assets 37-40).
That might seem like a mouthful but what it boils down to is a lot of good stuff.
Not only is the program an asset builder; so is JacQueline for being a mentor and role model. And so is Stacy at Il Vostro Boutique for donating space during a busy holiday shopping season to the girls and their organization. Props to both of them.
Now the CONTEST:
Anytime you come across a person, a program, a product, that you think builds assets in young people, let me know. If you want to get technical and name those assets feel free. Here again is a link to the Search Institute's list of the 40 things young people need. Notice it's broken down by age and gives you action ideas.
But, if you want to keep it simple, just describe the person or program and how you think it makes a difference in the lives of young people and I'll take if from there.
Either way make sure you give me enough information to confirm what you've told me, including a way to contact you.
Nominate someone now or two years from now. Just bookmark this post and keep it handy. You never know when you'll run across an asset builder.
I'll recognize an asset builder every month (more often if I get lots of nominations). If I choose your asset builder to recognize, they get a 10 dollar Visa gift card. And you do, too. How's that for a win-win? That's how serious I am about this idea of supporting young people.
Send your nominations to:
Off Camera with Trish/Assets in Action/P.O. Box 24574/Minneapolis, MN 55424
Have fun with this. Pass this around to your friends. Kids matter. This is a way of celebrating those who put kids and families first. And of encouraging more people to do the same thing.
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