ASSETS are part of our daily lives, whether in school, on the job, around the dinner table, on the sports field or within our religious/spiritual community. We are 'witness' to ASSETS when we think of what our community would be like without:

PTG Rotary Clubs Lions Clubs Jaycees Salvation Army Social Service Agencies Youth Sports Organizations YMCA Public Libraries Fire Companies Food Banks Youth Summer Programs/Camps Hospital Community Health Programs Police Athletic League Special Olympics Environmental Preservation Groups 4-H Clubs D.A.R.E. Girls Scouts & Boy Scouts Youth Crisis Centers Community Theatres Big Brother/Sister Organization Neighborhood WATCH Groups 'Homework Hotline' Habitat for Humanity City Team Ministries Reading Tutors Youth Advocacy Groups Hospice Services Meals-on-Wheels

This is just a tiny look at what occurs in our communities already…. so if we are working hard to make things better, why do we need to think about ASSETS? Aren't we building ASSETS just fine now? Why does HCI always keep saying the community needs to do more? Great Questions!!!!

Families are dynamic institutions that change their rules, boundaries, activities, emotions and 'thinking' as kids grow. The workplace reflects the economy and tapestry of their employees, not to mention the management. Schools are challenged with budgets, unions, federal mandates, employee issues, and social/cultural mores. Crisis Centers must remain flexible, patient, resilient and strong with all the risks, dangers and trends which continually bombard youth and result in poor choices for their entertainment and sometimes, demise. Governments of suburbs and cities are put to the test when it comes to maintaining safety, comfort, good business, and wise spending. Non-Profits serve with budgets that are tight and passions that are heroic. Volunteers, in every instance, showcase the human essence of caring for each other, and will always be the reason for a community remaining strong and healthy.

A community that is working well, with a robust business sector, great housing and schools, terrific healthcare facilities and a strong government providing the services required of its neighbors, can fall prey to drugs, truancy, alcohol abuse, violence, crime, and suicides, just as easily as a community with less resources. Not a single child, no matter where they live, attend school or church, is untouched by the real world. The Internet has made certain of that and we have to deal with it.

The job of everyone, not just parents or teachers, is to secure the future of our youth so that they can grow into healthy, caring and responsible adults. HCI has been repeating this statement to everyone, everywhere we go, in every article we write, in every piece of literature we publish and in every workshop we host. So the next time you have an opportunity to be speaking to kids, hiring them, playing with them, or disciplining them, remember the powerful effect you have. You can make a difference for them as to how they think of themselves, others and their future. Call HCI or write to us with your thoughts, stories and comments at www.hci-rtm.org