The Need

Young people are struggling all across America. They may have obstacles at home; in their neighborhood; in their school – or in all three settings. Funding sources often focus on intervention. Students are struggling academically and with behavior issues – on the verge of dropping out.

Community center staff members and educators desperately work to make an impact. But problems with said issues don’t begin to surface in middle school. Often times they have been problems that plagued these students their entire school career, and for some, their entire life. The problems should be addressed so much earlier.

The Response

The program design is based on 50 years of Resiliency and Developmental Asset Research, and references Intercultural Maturity Research. The program creates assets by building partnerships in the community between schools, community centers, families and faith-based organizations. The schools, centers and programs are assets but the focus of the program is developing teens that become role models for kids coming behind them.