Gratefulness is a year-round attitude but at this special time of year I hope you take the time to really count the many blessings in your life.   As I make my “list” there is so much to be thankful for:  family, faith, friends, home, food, clothing … the list is long.  Thankfully it includes a community that cares so very much about our youth!

Tell me about the actions you’ve taken, personally and/or through your organization, that build assets for our children and youth.  You’re busy and undoubtedly getting more so but I still ask that you spend just a minute or so letting me know about your actions. The actions may be teeny, tiny steps or giant steps; each step is important!  We all benefit by knowing what others are doing.  Send me an email at barbara@youthcount.com .  Thank you in advance for sharing!

The next Youth Count meeting will be Wednesday, September 23, 11:30 – 1:00  in the lower level conference room at the Cancer Care Center, 2210 Green Valley Road. Lunch will be provided by, thanks to the folks with Strategic Prevention Framework, and will begin at 11:30AM.  Space is limited and RSVP’s are essential.  If you plan to attend for lunch, email your RSVP to barbara@youthcount.com .  You will receive an email confirming your reservation.  The program will begin at 12:00 at which time members of the Strategic Prevention Framework will share new data and survey research regarding underage and binge drinking; some drug data is also available.  Time for questions is included.  Directly or indirectly these issues likely affect everyone who works with youth, cares about youth, or is a young person and we can use the information we gain to better equip us to build assets. 

If you do not wish to have lunch but want to hear the presentation, you are welcome to come at noon and we will do our best to provide a seat or standing space for you.

There has been so much positive, asset-building activity going on the past few days.  Just Saturday, the S. Ellen Jones Neighborhood Association hosted a street festival filled with family-friendly activities plus food, music and more.  The event is hosted by St. John Presbyterian Church and S. Ellen Jones Neighborhood Association.  Ted Fulmore and dozens of volunteers helped ensure that this second year festival was a success that was enjoyed by several hundred children, families and adults.  The SEJ neighborhood cares!     

Jerome Costner, NAFCS Mentoring Program Coordinator, hosted the first Mentor Mii (Mentors get involved and inspire) mentor training this past Friday for individuals who are interested in supporting students through an in-school mentoring program.  For more info or to get involved, contact Jerome at 812-542-2112 or at jcostner@nafcs.k12.in.us … and as you know, this type mentoring program has the opportunity to build lots of assets for the students who are paired with a mentor.

School begins this week, and while the students won’t attend until Thursday, teachers, counselors, administrators and staff are in the schools hard at work to ensure that our kids have a good start.  I personally experienced a good example of that work first hand when just this morning I took an early lunch hour to take my grandson for a first visit to locate his classrooms and locker at Highland Hills Middle School, where he begins 6^th grade this year.  If you know Vicki Schoch, please thank her for making HHMS’s incoming students (and parents and grandparents) feel welcome, valued and supported – a great way to build assets!  I’m sure this type scenario is being played out in all the schools throughout our community.

CONGRATULATIONS to our 2009 graduates and thank you to the people (parents, teachers, pastors, friends, counselors, neighbors, and more) who encouraged them along the way.
Barb

The end of school is rapidly approaching and both parents and youth are wondering about opportunities for the summer.  Please see the Resources & Opportunities page for a continually growing  list of activities for children and youth.  If your organization has summer activities you would like to share, please email Youth Count with the name of the activity, location, age, targeted population, dates/times.

Can you offer HELP – 2 possible ways?  
Website Training: I’ve shared a couple of times that we’ve upgraded our website; that includes administering the updates through WordPress.  I’ve worked with the program for about 2 months now and it would certainly help if I had someone to spend 1-2 hours with me, showing me practical applications of including some of the info I want to post on the website.  If you have experience and would be able to help out – or if you know someone who has experience in WordPress, I certainly would appreciate if you might be able to help me increase my proficiency.  You can contact me through email or phone (923-1160).
Partners’ Network meetings: time is so valuable for all of us and we have to make many strategic decisions on how we spend our time.  I want any time spent with Youth Count meetings to be of value and importance to you.  Please share with me what items/info/action would bring you to the table and have you feel that your time is well spent and/or that you’ve gained useful tools and resources.  I’d appreciate any emails with this info; additionally I will be making phone follow-up calls to get feedback from some of you.  Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Asset Building in the Family
This past weekend my family was traveling.  But this time the 4 of us were in 3 different states.  My daughter and I enjoyed a girl’s weekend in a cabin in Nashville, IN with my sisters, mom and aunt.  My husband drove his father over 1,300 miles round trip through Arkansas and Missouri.  My son is enjoying a few days on the beach and scuba diving in Florida. Why is it the 24 year old kid gets to have the coolest trip?  That’s another blog.

My husband’s mission was to fulfill his dad’s desire to visit an uncle and take possession of a gun that belonged to his grandfather.  They took lots of detours on the way back. He humored his dad by driving by some of the old haunts that he grew up around.  During his childhood my father-in-law (FIL) took a bus from New Albany to Rolla, Missouri after school ended and spent his summers with Aunt Wilma and Uncle Arthur.  As they traveled Missouri back roads, father-in-law spun stories as they drove by where the pool hall stood, Uncle Lonzo’s gas station, 2 cemeteries, Aunt Ethel’s farm, Montauk State Park and the area where FIL was born.  My FIL acknowledges that Uncle Arthur was like a father to him.  That Missouri for the summer was where he felt most loved and nurtured.  Okay, he wouldn’t say those exact words – that would be too touchy feely. But he has very fond memories of those summers and the people he spent them with.

But being in the “community impact” business that I am- I see that FIL received a good number of the 40 Developmental Assets through his relationship with his aunt and uncle and the extended family in Missouri.  He experienced love and support, caring neighbors, and encouraging environment from his summer trips to Missouri. The 40 Assets are an array of experiences, attitudes and behaviors that help young people make good choices.  The more assets a person has the greater their chances for a successful life.

Chances are you are an asset builder too and just don’t think in that language.  You build assets when you teach Sunday School or coach soccer or are a scout leader.  You also build assets in less formal settings.  When your child takes a friend with you to the movies and you call that friend by name and show an interest in them – that is building assets.  When you patronize the youth car wash you let them know you value their activities you build assets. When you treat a youth with respect and make sure the cashier knows they were next you build assets.  See how easy this is.  It is every day actions like these that work toward our vision – that our community will be the most vital caring community in the nation. It can work in flipped direction also – my husband can build assets in his dad by investing 3 days driving, listening and spending time with his dad.

…Jan, Metro United Way (a founding partner in Youth Count)

SCHOOL IS OUT FOR THE SUMMER – See the Resources & Opportunities page to check out the many summer activities available for children and teens. As the Youth Count Community Celebration draws nearer, I am seeking volunteer assistance for final preparation for the luncheon. 

Thursday, March 12, 4:30 – 5:30 only (due to other activities occurring at Our Lady of Perpetual Help) – I need several individuals to help set up approximately 40 tables (light weight plastic) and 225 chairs (again, light weight plastic). 

Friday, March 13, 9:00 – 10:30 – I certainly could use help with the decorating, placing table covers, etc.

If you are willing and available, please let me know when you are able to help.  Your assistance is truly appreciated. 

… and if you have not sent your registration but would still like to attend, the basic details include: 

Friday, March 13, 12:00 – 1:15 PM (networking 11:30 – 12:00) at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 1752 Scheller Lane in New Albany.  Registration DEADLINE EXTENDED to Monday, March 9.  You can email your registration to me.  The $5 per adult can be mailed after that date.  Middle & High School students can accompany you for FREE – I just need their names.  New Albany Floyd County School students will receive an excused absence for this event.  Kerri Cokeley from Metro United Way will give a personal testimony about how adults built assets for her and our keynote speaker is Jamey Aebersold – always a delight.

Thank you for your consideration.

Barbara

Youth Count is a community-wide youth development focused on engaging the youth and adults in Floyd County in Southern Indiana in order to build relationships that

 …create a community where youth are valued,
investments are made in their well-being,
and all youth have the opportunity to succeed.

Youth today face a challenging and complex world.  While some of our youth are doing extremely well, other young people are in serious trouble, whether that be with school performance, alcohol and/or substance abuse, violence and bullying, and early sexual activity. 

Why do some young people succeed in life, excel in school, and stay away from trouble, while others struggle and feel disengaged?  Research shows the greater the number of developmental assets children and youth possess, the greater their chances for success.  The 40 Developmental Assets are the array of experiences, attitudes and behaviors that help young people make good choices.

Asset building is powerful; based on common wisdom, does not cost anything, and makes a community a more caring place.  Everyone can build assets, including YOU.

As an individual …

• Connect with the children and youth in your life; learn their names and interests.
• Smile at children in your neighborhood them. 
• Get involved in activities with young people.
• Share Asset Building with friends and family.

 As an organization …

• Invite a speaker to talk about the value of asset building at one of your meetings. Encourage staff, volunteers, or members to build assets.
• Affirm asset builders in your organization
• Identify ways your organization builds assets and how you can strengthen those efforts.

 As a business …

• Share the 40 Assets with employees and customers.
• Encourage employees to participate in community youth mentoring programs.
• Invite youth to job shadow.
• Create an environment where youth feel welcome and valued as a customer.

YOU can help our young people develop the strengths, skills, and life qualities they need in order to make positive decisions and choose positive paths which will allow them to meet and manage life’s challenges?

What will YOU do TODAY?