Hello everyone!
I just returned from the Voices of Strength conference on positive youth development in Denver put on by Assets for Colorado Youth. The theme was "Weaving Multiple Approaches to Help All Youth Thrive." The conference was very beneficial!
I was able to hear some amazing keynote speakers including Maria Guajardo Lucero, the former (founding) executive director of Assets for Colorado Youth, Stan Perea, the author of the book "The New America: The America of the Moo-Shoo Burrito," and Beverly Watts Davis, the senior policy advisor for SAMHSA. The main theme of each of these presentations, in regards to positive solutions for building youth friendly communities, seemed to be this…..LISTEN TO THE YOUTH THEMSELVES!!!
I attended all three days of the conference, beginning with the pre-conference session entitled "Intro to Positive Youth Development." Please feel free to review the synopsis that I have provided for each session I attended that is included below:
Intro to Positive Development, Stephanie Hoy:
This session introduced us to the 40 developmental assets which are believed to be necessary in order to children to thrive. Stephanie explained how research shows that the more assets a child has, the less negative behavior they will display later on. The 40 developmental assets has created a common language for all of youth development. The following are the key points I took away from this session:
- All young people need assets. (No matter socioeconomic status, culture, etc)
- Everyone can be an assets builder. (Even in the most subtle ways)
- Relationships are key! (Especially with neighbors, non parental adults)
- Assets building is an ongoing process.
- Consistency is key.
- Intentional redundancy is important.
Nothing About Us, Without Us: Effectively Partnering with Youth, Anne Marie Braga:
This session was brought to us by the Adolescent Health division of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Anne Marie Braga is the director of Youth Partnership for Health, which is a group of young people who come together to assist in decision making for health and prevention programs that serve youth themselves. These dynamic group of young people presented the basics of their group, and explained to us why it is important for adults to listen to youth. The provided us with ideas for adults working with teens:
- Be open and honest when talking to teens.
- Don't try too hard to be a role model – you risk losing authenticity.
- To create a diverse group, go to all areas of your community…not just one school or neighborhood that has a diverse population.
- Attract young people to your meetings and programs by adding incentives and interesting activities.
Schools Build Assets: An Asset Program for Suspended/Expelled Youth, Kay McGinn and Carmen Patent:
This session focused on a program being used in Nebraska and federally funded to work with students who are suspended or expelled. We were able to review the pilot project, and see what worked and what did not. The basis of the project is community service learning, in which suspended and expelled youth complete community service during the suspension or expulsion while having the chance to reflect on what they learned from the service itself.
Who Was There For You? Deborah Fisher:
Deborah Fisher works with the Search Institute, and also as a freelance writer. Through this session, she encouraged us to create our own stories when working with youth in order to engage them and to help build healthy, positive relationships with them. She shared several stories of inspirational adults who helped some of the nation's most amazing youth development workers grow up to be who they are today.
The Courage to Show Up, Shannon Beaulieu:
This was perhaps the most inspirational session for me, personally. Shannon actually taught us Tai Chi in the morning before the conference, which was a wonderful and positive way to start the day. Her session reminded us that we can not create a safe space for the youth that we work with unless we feel safe and confident ourselves. Through meditative, experiential and group activities, we were able to work on creating a safe environment in which both we, and the youth we work with, feel encouraged to be present.
Remembering the "You" in the Equation, Michelle Von Fange:
This session was brought to us by OMNI Research and Training, Inc. It's focus was to prevent the burnout and stress that often coincides with working in the non-profit world. Michelle mentioned that the average time spent at a job in a not for profit organization is two and a half years. We discussed ways to prevent burnout and stress coping strategies. We all committed to putting aside 15 minutes of each day for ourselves and to utilize one of the stress busters that we discussed in the session.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions you might have about this conference. I picked up a lot of information and would be pleased to share it with any of you.
PS As a result of this conference, I am determined to add at least one youth community member to our advisory committee. Please let me know if any of you have anyone in mind….
