11-12-1997 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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Lutheran Brotherhood — Healthy Communities - Healthy Youth httpJ/ www .luthbro.com/youth/HCHYc..siry-Wide Asset Building iu Action 2of3 7. Neighborhoods are places of caring, support and safety. 8. Schools —both elementary and secondary— mobilize to promote caring, clear boundaries, and sustained relationships with adults. 9. Businesses establish family- friendly policies and embrace asset - building principles for young employees. 10. Virtually all 10 to 18 year olds are involved in one or more clubs, teams or other youth-serving organizations that see building assets as central to their mission. 11. The media (print, radio, television) repeatedly communicate the community's vision, support local mobilization efforts, and provide forums for sharing innovative actions taken by individuals and organizations. 12. All professionals and volunteers who work with youth receive training in asset building. 13. Youth have opportunities to serve, lead, and make decisions. 14. Religious institutions mobilize their resources to build assets both within their own programs and in the community. 15. The community -wide commitment to asset building is long -term and sustained. What can you do to make your own community possess these important characteristics? Here are some ideas to mobilize your hometown' Ahh, finally some actual concrete ideas to bring HC -HY alive in your community! But don't stop here! Let your own creativity take over to inspire your community to participate in HC -HY! Other communities know how HC -HY can transform their communities! See it happen in your own community. Five Things You Can Do to Mobilize Your Community for Asset Building 1. Talk with leaders, friends, neighbors, and other citizens about the vision and potential for asset building. Share materials that describe the asset - building approach. 2. Sponsor community -wide or regional events to talk about asset building and its potential. Invite influential people to the event. Also work hard to include youth, parents, senior citizens, and other people. 3. Gather information on what's currently happening in your community and how it could be enhanced with an asset - building focus or parmership. 4. Work with a cross - section of leaders and other citizens to develop plans or strategies for an asset - building initiative. 5. Serve on a committee or task force to implement asset - building strategies. St. Louis Park isn't the only community that has integrated asset building! All kinds of cities have taken on asset building characteristics! Read about the many different faces that HC -HY has taken on! These eclectic examples show how individualized the efforts can be! Still need some help? Search Institute has offered to assist vou! Community -Wide Asset Building in Action • O7arks Fighting Back. an asset - building initiative in Springfield, Missouri surveyed local companies about flexible work options for families, then developed a brochure highlighting the value of flexible options and the cost -- to both workers and the companies -- of not having options available. • Youth in Hopkins, Minnesota are working to create a teen center after they surveyed 1,200 students to Lind out what kind of center they wanted and where it should be. The center will include a coffee shop with couches, dart boards, and inexpensive food. • In Ruidoso, New Mexico, high school students have developed a speakers bureau to share the asset - building story with civic, parent, student, religious, and other community groups. • Kindergarteners and their parents in Kennebunk, Maine will learn about asset building from day one. Beginning in September, parents of each new student will receive a copy of the book "What Kids Need to Succeed" and will be invited to short asset - building workshops. • Housing developer Gary Waiker wants the planned community he is building in Mesa, Arizona to be a community with kids at its heart. By designing neighborhoods, a community center, and other programs with young people in mind. the 10,000- resident community of Las Sendas will be a Page 71 3/1/97 9:53 AM