Asset Corner #73

SHOW KIDS YOU CARE:  APOLOGIZE WHEN YOU'VE DONE SOMETHING WRONG. January’s Asset Category:  POSITIVE IDENTIY 

Help young people bring out their best
The way people feel about themselves can fluctuate with circumstances. Depending on what’s happening, you may feel confident or unsure, optimistic or pessimistic, in control or not in control. What’s important is what a person’s identity is like most of the time. People who have a strong, positive sense of self maintain these qualities even when difficulties arise. They continue to be hopeful and optimistic, and believe they can make a difference.

This column’s focus will be on Asset 40: Positive View of Personal Future

Looking forward to a bright future
Stories about people who have overcome incredible odds to make a difference or achieve a dream abound throughout history. It’s important to have goals and dreams, but what do you do when the going gets tough? It’s important to model a positive attitude, seek solutions to problems, and keep moving toward your goal. Studies show when people envision themselves reaching their goals, they’re more likely to make them happen.

Here are the facts
Research shows that young people who are optimistic about the future have better relationships with their parents, increased self-esteem, and decreased emotional or behavioral problems, such as depression, early sexual activity, and violence. About 72 percent of young people, ages 11–18, are optimistic about their personal future, according to Search Institute surveys. Since young people are our future adults, it’s important to help them realize the positive aspects of their lives now and in the years to come. 

Tips for building this asset
Having a sense of hope is one of the most important human traits to embrace. Everyone faces ups and downs in life. But it’s important to teach young people that a bad day, failed test, break-up, or loss of a loved one doesn’t mean the future is without hope. When bad things happen or mistakes occur, help young people focus on solutions or positive aspects of the situation instead of problems.

Also try this
In your home and family:
 Clip articles from newspapers or magazines of people doing hopeful things. Post them so the entire family sees them.

In your neighborhood and community: If you have concerns about your neighborhood, talk to neighbors about them. Gather a group to address these concerns and create a better future for everyone who lives nearby. Young people who live in a safe, clean, friendly neighborhood are more likely to feel positive about their future.

In your school or youth program: React positively when young people tell you their dreams—no matter how far-fetched or unreachable they may seem. Together, figure out a plan to make their dreams come true.

ASSET RELATED NEWS 
l  Parma Area MyCom Youth Development Planning meetings - A follow-up to the Neighborhood Leadership Institute (NLI) facilitated community meetings took place on Tuesday, December 1st. With a focus on the state of our area’s current youth-oriented programs and services, this meeting was particularly well attended and productive. We're looking forward to wrapping up this project in the next several months with an update to the existing plan that’ll set a direction for our efforts and carry us through the next several years. Also, congratulations to Sarah Reneker of Valley Forge High School, and our own Parma Branch Library for being recognized at the annual MyCom Youth Voice Awards ceremony on November 19th.  For more information about MyCom, visit http://mycom.net/.

l  Our CBS Connects Grant - Visit http://cbsconnects.org/field-trips/ to get the latest information regarding scheduled, career-related field trips with some already being scheduled into March.  Learn more and encourage your kids to check out this unique, grant-funded, career-readiness service for our students. If you're a business willing to host small groups of kids to view your facility and learn more about the business and related careers and/or would be interested in attending a Mentor/Mentee luncheon, call Chuck Caldwell, CBS Connects Coordinator, at 440-305-3054. Visit www.cbsconnects.org for program details.

The Collab’s Mobile Food Pantry is scheduled this month for Thursday, January 14th. Help is needed in the morning (9:00 a.m.) to unload and setup, and again in the afternoon (2:00 p.m.) for distribution. Volunteer opportunities are available not only at the Collab, but in every school within the District. Just some of the programs in serious need of help include the Discovery CentersParenting Partners, Project More & Teach Me to Read. Contact Kira Karabanovs, Director of Family & Community Engagement, for details – email: karabanovsk@parmacityschools.org; ph: 440-842-7022.

If you work and/or own a business in the community and you’d like to learn more about how to get involved with our school district, consider attending the next Community/Business/School Partnership meeting starting at 8:00 a.m.  on Friday, January 22nd at Broadview Multi Care Center, 5520 Broadview Road, Parma, about ½ mile north of Snow Rd. Go here to learn more about CBS:  www.parmacityschools.org/cbs.

SHARE YOUR ASSET BUILDING IDEAS AND/OR THOUGHTS ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENTAL ASSET CONCEPT BY VISITING THE “ASSET CORNER” FACEBOOK PAGE. I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU.

Visit www.parmacityschools.org/character and www.search-institute.org/assets for more information about the 40 Developmental Assets and ideas for helping young people build them. Or go to http://www.parentfurther.com for great asset-based parenting tips, tricks, activities, and ideas.

Gene Lovasy

Community Volunteer/Activist

Read More on News
Volume 8, Issue 1, Posted 11:48 PM, 01.03.2016