FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Message of the 40 Developmental Assets™

The 40 Developmental Assets

The Message of the 40 Developmental Assets™

On Tuesday, September 27, 2011, during the regularly scheduled City Council meeting, McKinley L. Price, DDS, Mayor of the City of Newport News, will challenge all citizens to work together to increase the number of Developmental Assets™ our youth possess, and proclaim September 28, 2011 to November 28, 2011 as 40 Days for 40 Developmental Assets™. Sponsored by the Newport News Commission on Youth, a daily Developmental Asset™ message will be broadcast to media outlets and e-mail lists beginning Wednesday, September 28, 2011 and continuing through November 28, 2011.

Everyone has the power to help young people succeed

The secret to helping children and youth grow into happy, healthy, and responsible adults isn’t really a secret at all. Simply make a point to connect with young people: Get to know them, talk to them, understand them, help them, and build relationships with them. As a caring, trusted adult, you’ll be better able to provide the building blocks young people need to succeed and reach their goals. Adult role models, guides, and friends are very important to young people. With your help, young people can begin to understand themselves and the world around them. We all know growing up isn’t always easy. That’s why young people need adults like you in their lives.

Here are the facts

Research from Search Institute identifies 40 Developmental Assets that have a powerful, positive impact on young people. Children and teenagers who have high levels of these assets get involved in fewer risky behaviors and are much more likely to exhibit the positive values, such as leadership, good health, diversity, and success in school. The bad news is most young people don’t have enough assets. About 59 percent of young people, ages 11–18, have 20 or fewer Developmental Assets, according to Search Institute surveys. Youth in Newport News have an average of 18 Developmental Assets. The good news is we can change this because we all have the power to build assets in young people’s lives.

Join the Commission on Youth as they work to help provide the building blocks youth need to succeed in life. For additional information please contact Shardell Gerald at 757-926-6480, 757-848-8472 or by e-mail at sgerald@nngov.com

Reprinted in part from Instant Assets: 52 Short and Simple E-Mails for Sharing the Asset Message. Copyright © 2007 by Search Institute®, 877-240-7251; www.search-institute.org. This message may be reproduced for educational, noncommercial uses only (with this copyright line). All rights reserved.
 

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