Asset Building:  What it is? Why we do it?

"Life affords no greater responsibility, no greater privilege, than the raising of the next generation." ---  Dr. C.Everett Koop (1916 - )   Former U.S. Surgeon General

In an effort to support the Gates Chili School District goal of promoting the 40 developmental assets identified by the Search Institute, Brasser has established a building goal of doing the same.

The Search Institute is an independent, non-profit, non-sectarian organization whose mission is to advance the well-being of adolescents and children by generating knowledge and promoting its application.  Developmental assets are positive experiences, opportunities, and qualities that are intentionally brought into the lives of youth to help them grow up to be healthy, responsible, and capable of making positive choices in life, even in the face of stress and pressure.  Studies have shown that the more of these assets a youth has, the less likely he or she will be to participate in risk-taking behaviors. 

Forty assets have been identified by the Institute (20 internal and 20 external) since its inception in 1958.  In 1996 a national initiative was launched by the Search Institute known as "Healthy Communities: Healthy Youth".  Many communities and school districts in our local area have elected to participate in this initiative.  Understandably, if a positive impact is going to be made on our youth it will have to come from our families, school disticts, communities, and faith communities linking arms! 

Check out the Brasser Bugle and ask your child for ways that assets are being promoted at school!!