Communities commonly address youth issues by naming problems (e.g. violence, teenage pregnancy, substance abuse) and trying to reduce them. In contrast, developmental asset building names and nurtures core experiences that are needed for the healthy development of all youth. Developmental assets are the building blocks of positive youth development.

We Believe:

Relationships are important. Asset building is about helping people build powerful and positive relationships with children and teens. Individual effort is essential; teaching, modeling, listening, and noticing are important aspects of good adult/child relationships.

All young people need assets. All children and adolescents could use more positive relationships than they have now. Every young person needs compassion and special attention. A community wide effort to help all kids will benefit everyone.

No single asset is the answer. The more assets a person has, the more successful that person will be in life. Increasing the total number of assets in a young person will best allow him or her to grow up healthy, caring and responsible.

From infancy through adulthood, the process is ongoing. We nurture young children and need to continue nurturing them through their teen years and adulthood. Each stage of life is important.

Small things count. The more experiences of support each day, the better. Small gestures like calling a young person by name, acknowledging his or her presence, smiling and listening have a powerful impact. Consistency and repetition make a difference.

Everyone has a role to play. Parents/guardians are a child's first and most important teachers, but young people need support from all other adults. We are not separated in this task by whether or not we have children, by income, age, education, or employment status, gender, or sexual orientation, level of ability or disability, ethnic background, racial background or spiritual tradition, but are bound together and support each other in our concern for the well-being of our children.