Asset Corner #23

November’s Asset Category:  Empowerment
Feeling valued and appreciated is important to all of us. For young people, this means feeling safe and believing they’re liked and respected. These feelings can go a long way toward empowering children and youth. Providing opportunities and recognizing accomplishments helps young people build self-esteem. This, in turn, gives them the confidence to share their ideas, knowledge, and creativity by volunteering and working in paid jobs. By paying attention to young people, you show that you value them.

Empowerment Assets include:
            #7 Community Values Youth – Young person perceives that adults in the community value youth. (22%*)
            #8 Youth as Resources – Young people are given useful roles in the community. (26%*)
            #9 Service to Others – Young person serves in the community one hour or more a week. (48%*)
            #10 Safety – Young person feels safe at home, school & in the community. (51%*)

(* The percent of youth who experience or have this asset in their lives.  Data based on an aggregate Search Institute sample of 148,189 students surveyed in 2003. The sample included students in 202 cities in 27 states.)

This column’s focus will be on…..Asset #10 Safety

Combating fear, and growing up safe in an unsafe world.
Young people who feel threatened, unsafe, or scared often spend a lot of time trapped in fear or in their attempts to protect themselves. They’re less likely to venture forth and take some healthy risks. On the other hand, young people who feel safe are more likely to feel secure enough to try new things. That’s why safety is an important part of feeling empowered. Fear, both imaginary and real, is a normal part of growing up. The key is learning to overcome it.

Here are the facts
Research shows that young people who feel safe in their surroundings are more likely to make positive contributions. About 51 percent of young people, ages 11–18, say they feel safe at home, at school, and in their neighborhood, according to Search Institute surveys. The key to safety is to create and maintain an environment that minimizes fear and maximizes opportunities to take healthy risks.

Tips for building this asset
Media reports fuel reality-based fears, such as crimes and accidents. You may inadvertently add to a young person’s insecurity by feeling anxious yourself and believing the world is dangerous. Young people pick up on adults’ attitudes and beliefs even if they don’t tell children how they’re feeling. Be aware of your behavior, body language, and words — and those coming from others. When you talk to young people about particularly upsetting or frightening events, remind them such occurrences aren't common. Point out the many ways people take care of one another to be safe.

Also try this:

In your home and family: Discuss suggestions with your child for how to remain safe in certain circumstances, and role-play situations. For example, create —and practice—  an escape plan in case of a fire in your home. Identify a neighbor your child can go to in an emergency.

In your neighborhood and community: Donate your time, materials, or other resources to a local community center where children can play safely. If there isn't a community center near you, work to establish one or create other safe activities for young people in your neighborhood.

In your school or youth program: Discuss with young people what it means to be safe at school or in your program. Encourage them to tell you —or other caring adults— if their safety ever feels threatened.

ASSET RELATED NEWS
The Parma Area Family Collaborative/Parma City School District hosted its forth annual Kids Coat Project this past month distributing more than 350 coats to students in the District. A special thank you to On The Spot dry cleaners for cleaning the coats, Parma Baptist Church for their organizational expertise & allowing use of the church as a distribution center, and to all our community partners and individuals for their donations, time & support. It would not be possible without you.

SHARE YOUR ASSET BUILDING IDEAS AND/OR THOUGHTS ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENTAL ASSET CONCEPT BY VISITING THE “ASSET CORNER” FACEBOOK PAGE. I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU.

Visit www.parmacityschools.org/assets or www.search-institute.org/assets for more information about the 40 Developmental Assets and ideas for helping young people build them.