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United for Youth

United for Youth LogoBuffalo Hospital supports United for Youth, a community-wide initiative in Montrose, Hanover and Buffalo focused on helping youth become responsible, successful and caring adults. Similar initiatives are underway in communities throughout Wright County.  
 
Purpose
The purpose of this initiative is to build assets or values in youth. Assets defined by Search Institute are as those "positive qualities and experiences that help young people to make wise decisions, choose positive paths, and grow up competent, caring and responsible." 

The Search Institute research found that the proactive building of assets through prevention and early intervention activities is the key to preventing risky behaviors, such as problem alcohol or drug use, sexual activity, depression, violence and school problems. Their research also indicates that the more assets young people hold, the less likely they are to be involved in high-risk behaviors. In addition to protecting youth from negative behaviors, having more assets increases the chances that young people will have positive attitudes and behaviors, such as success in school, good health, resilience, leadership and helpfulness.

40 Developmental Assets
Asset NameDefinition
Support
1. Family supportFamily life provides high levels of love and support
2. Positive family communication Parents and child communicate positively, child is willing to seek parents advice and counsel
3. Other adult relationshipsChild receives support from three or more non-parent adults
4. Caring neighborhood Child experiences caring neighbors 
5. Caring school climateSchool provides a caring, encouraging environment
6. Parent involvement in schoolingParents are actively involved in helping child succeed in school
 
Empowerment
7. Community values youthChild perceives that community adults value youth
8. Youth given useful rolesYouth are given useful roles in community life
9. Community serviceChild gives one hour or more per week to serving in one’s community
10. SafetyChild feels safe in home, school and neighborhood
 
Boundaries & Expectations
11. Family boundariesFamily has clear rules and consequences; and monitors whereabouts
12. School boundariesSchool provides clear rules and consequences
13. Neighborhood boundariesNeighbors would report undesirable behavior to family
14. Adult role modelsParent(s) and other adults model prosocial behavior
15. Positive peer influence Child’s best friends model responsible behavior
16. High expectationsBoth parents and teachers press child to achieve 
 
Time
17. Creative activities Involved three or more hours per week in lessons or practice in music, theater or the arts
18. Youth programsInvolved three hours or more per week in sports, clubs or organizations at school and/or in community organizations
19. Religious communityInvolved one or more hours per week
20. Time at homeOut with friends "with nothing special to do," two or fewer nights per week
 
Educational Commitment
21. Achievement motivation Child is motivated to do well in school 
22. School engagement Child is actively engaged in learning
23. Homework Child reports one or more hours of homework per day
24. Bonding to schoolChild cares about her/his school
25. Reading for pleasureChild reads for pleasure three or more hours per week
 
Values
26. CaringChild places high value on helping other people
27. Equality and social justiceChild places high value on promoting equality and reducing hunger and poverty
28. IntegrityChild acts on convictions, stands up for her or his beliefs
29. Honesty Child "tells the truth even when it is not easy"
30. ResponsibilityChild accepts and takes personal responsibility
31. RestraintChild believes it is important not to be sexually active or to use alcohol or other drugs
 
Social Competencies
32. Planning and decision-makingChild has skills to plan ahead and make choices
33. Interpersonal competenceChild has empathy, sensitivity and friendship skills
34. Cultural competence Child has knowledge of and comfort with people of different racial backgrounds
35. Resistance skillsChild can resist negative peer pressure
36. Peaceful conflict resolutionChild seeks to resolve conflict non-violently
 
Positive Identity
37. Personal controlChild feels she/he has control over "things that happen to me"
38. Self-esteemChild reports high self-esteem
39. Sense of purposeChild reports "my life has a purpose" 
40. Positive view of personal futureChild is optimistic about his/her personal future

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Buffalo Hospital
303 Catlin Street
Buffalo, Minnesota 55313
763-682-1212
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