In January of 2001 the City Council established the Commission on Youth to work with the Office on Children, Youth & Families  to develop a strategic plan for young people in Newport News.

The role of the Commission on Youth is to advocate for, plan, evaluate and support the implementation of strategies for addressing issues related to youth.

The Commission consists of an equal number of youth, community citizens and youth-serving agency members. Terms will vary from 1-4 years.

The Commission on Youth sponsors the Asset Builders Awards to recognize an individual, both youth and adult,  and a business that foster Positive Youth Development™ and Asset Building™.

2008 Asset Builder Award Winners

(L-R) Chief James Fox, Walker Griffea, Laura Young, Mandy Wasmer, Jonathon Sodorsky, Vicki Martorano, Katrina Hines

Newport News, VA - The Newport News Commission on Youth would like to announce the winners of the Asset Builder Awards for 2008. 

 In the Asset Builders Award Individual (adult) category, Katrina Hines, a Student Support Specialist at Denbigh High School, was recognized for her youth development efforts. Mrs. Hines incorporated asset development in all of the services she provided to both the school and the community.  By offering empowering alternatives and resources to students who are facing problems, she has been committed to familiarizing students and their parents with assets and resources to live happier, healthier lives. 

 
The positive values that students adopt and ultimately use to change their own lives are a result of Mrs. Hines’ ability to openly and honestly address student issues. Mrs. Hines offered programs that welcome new students to Denbigh High School and groups that helped to deter the violence facing teens today.  These are only two of the many opportunities Mrs. Hines provided students at Denbigh High School for positive growth and development. 

 
This year the Asset Builder Award for Youth was given to a group of young people rather than to a single youth.  The recipients of this year’s award felt strongly about the need for communication and collaboration between youth and the Police Department. The Youth Award was given to the Newport News Police Chief’s Youth Advisory Board. Students representing each public and private high school in Newport News served as an advisory group to Chief of Police James Fox on crime and crime prevention issues in Newport News.  Not only did the youth learn about the functions of the Police Department, but the officers learned about issues and situations specific to youth.  Through research and interaction with officers the youth learned about equality and social justice while compiling a booklet Youth Have the Right to Remain Silent But Now You Don’t Have To – A Teen Guide to Everything You Wanted to Ask the Police.

 
The Asset Builder Organization Award was given to SMART-One.  SMART-One is an organization established to create and maintain programs and social events for youth and adult children with disabilities in the community. 

 
SMART-One enhanced the quality of life for children and young adults with disabilities through support, empowerment, instilling positive values and promoting constructive use of time.  The Kid-SMART Street Smart program gives young people the knowledge they need and strategies to use to feel safe at home and in their neighborhoods. SMART-One programs encourage independence and as a result, children and adult children with disabilities will become productive and contributing members of their families and the community. 

 
The Newport News Commission on Youth Asset Builder Awards recognize those who are reaching out to our young people and helping them to develop “assets” –experiences and personal qualities that they need to grow up healthy, caring, and responsible.   For more information about the Newport News Asset Builder Awards or Positive Youth Development™ contact the Office on Children, Youth & Families at 757-597-2801.