" Make a Difference for YOUTH by Building Assets"
Since March 2000, HCI projects and programs have resulted in powerful and yet mostly subtle changes. When a culture change is desired, it will take time and is often an invisible transition. Humans don't change overnight and neither do their ideas of accepted behavior. Try to quit smoking or eating junk food and you will know how hard change is. Now imagine making changes (rather re-evaluating) the way you discipline, speak to, teach or love your child? The rules, language, and behaviors that new parents employ are mostly those they have experienced as children. Like parenting or getting an education or even raising vegetables- hard work, patience and endurance are the 'magic ingredients' that keep people engaged and committed when it seems like you are getting nowhere. But it is so hard to change and will it really help?
The 40 Developmental Assets are living and working proof that change is good, powerful, effective and positive. We don't have to feel threatened or undermined with change when the goal is to give our kids the very best opportunity to grow up healthy, responsible and caring. Let's look at 3 Assets:
Asset #4 "Caring Neighborhoods"
Asset # 8 " Recognizing YOUTH as RESOURCES"
Asset # 14 " Adult Role Models"
Imagine we knew ALL our neighbors and THEY knew our children. What if our kids saw neighbors at their recitals, games, school plays, or award ceremonies? Think what it would mean if they got birthday cards from their neighbors, get well cards if they were sick, or even a friendly wave when driving by? From what kids tell us, this isn't the norm in their neighborhoods.
Now, what if the community looked at kids as RESOURCES rather than PROBLEMS? HCI has witnessed the valuable assets that kids are because we simply ASK them to try something different, learn a new skill, or meet people and interact with them. Kids are hard workers, terrific entertainers, great talkers, and positively FUN to be with. Plus, they want to do things that are appreciated. Again, from out of their mouths, many kids tell HCI that they don't feel important or valued.
Kids watch adults VERY closely and model their behavior from what we do…whether it's a parent, teacher, coach, employer, or co-worker. They hear us when we are mean, sarcastic, or critical and will replay those words over and over in their heads. Pretty soon, bad behavior of adults becomes the behavior of kids. All adults MUST become the very best role models for kids as we possibly can be. Nobody is perfect, but when we do screw up, admit it and make improvements. Kids will notice THAT.
HCI is a non-profit organization that serves the communities of Middletown, Media, Upper Providence and Edgmont. Volunteers are always welcome to help with outreach efforts and can visit www.hci-rtm.org to connect with us.
