A.S.K.: After School (Asset Building) for Kids. “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” –Margaret Mead

What are Developmental Assets? …a set of positive qualities, skills, experiences, and opportunities that are critical to foster during adolescent years, helping youth to become caring, reliable adults. Spread across eight broad areas of human development, these assets paint a picture of the positive things all young people need to grow up healthy and responsible.

INTERNAL EXTERNAL Support Surrounded by people who love, care for and appreciate and accept you. Empower The need to feel valued, valuable, safe and respected. Commitment to Learning Need a sense of lasting importance of learning and belief in their own abilities. Positive Values Young people need to develop strong guiding values or principles to help them make healthy choices. Boundaries & Expectations Need for clear rules, consistent consequences for breaking rules and encouragement to do their best. Constructive Use of Time The need for opportunities- outside of school-to learn and develop new skills and interests with other youth. Social Competency Need the skills to interact effectively with others, to make difficult decisions, and to cope with new situations. Positive Identity The need to believe in their own self worth and to feel that they have control over the things that happen to them.

First 20 Internal Assets Support 1.Family Support 2.Positive Family Communication 3.Other adult relationships 4 Caring neighborhood 5 Caring school climate 6.Parent involvement in school Empower 7. Community values youth 8. Youth as resources 9. Service to others 10. Safety Boundaries & Expectations 11. Family boundaries 12. School Boundaries 13. Neighborhood Boundaries 14. Adult role models 15. Positive peer influence 16. High expectations Constructive Use of Time 17. Creative activities 18. Youth programs 19. Religious community 20. Time at home

Last 20 External Assets Commitment to Learning 21. Achievement Motivation 22. School Engagement 23. Homework 24. Bonding to school 25. Reading for Pleasure Positive Values 26. Caring 27. Equality and social justice 28. Integrity 29. Honesty 30. Responsibility 31. Restraint Social Competencies 32. Planning and decision making 33. Interpersonal Competence 34. Cultural Competence 35. Resistance skills 36. Peaceful conflict resolution Positive Identity 37. Personal power 38. Self-esteem 39. Sense of purpose 40. Positive view of personal future

What Does the Research Say? Values Diversity Thinks it is important to get to know people of other racial/ethnic groups. Positive behaviors increase as assets increase

What Does the Research Say? Exhibits leadership Has been a leader of an organization or group in the past 12 months. Positive behaviors increase as assets increase

What Does the Research Say? School success Positive behaviors increase as assets increase

What Does the Research Say? Helping others Positive behaviors increase as assets increase

What Does the Research Say? ALCOHOL USE NEGATIVE behaviors decrease as assets increase

What Does the Research Say? HITTING OTHERS NEGATIVE behaviors decrease as assets increase

What Does the Research Say? violence Has engaged in three or more acts of fighting, hitting, injuring a person, carrying a weapon, or threatening physical harm in the past 12 months. NEGATIVE behaviors decrease as assets increase

What Does the Research Say? ILLICIT DRUG USE Used illicit drugs (marijuana, cocaine, LSD, PCP or angel dust, heroin, or amphetamines) three or more times in the past 12 months. NEGATIVE behaviors decrease as assets increase

What Does the Research Say? SEXUAL ABSTINENCE NEGATIVE behaviors decrease as assets increase

After School Field Trips ASK (After School Kids) 1. Ann Arbor Hands On Museum (Group Rates and Times) 2. Renaissance Coach Insignia Restaurant atop the Ren Cen 3. Henry Ford Museum (Group Rates) 4. Greenfield Village (Group Rates) 5. Garden City HS Bball, Wrestling, Swimming Home Schedules 6. Joe Louis Arena- Red Wing (Group Rates) 7. Rouge Factory (Group Rates) 8. Gamerz in Westland (group Rates for Laser Tag) 9. Eastern Michigan University- Tour of Campus 10. Ann Arbor Power Center of Performing Arts 11. Westland Bowl of Westland 12. Comerica Park (Detroit Tiger group rates) 13. Palace of Auburn Hills (Group rates for Det. Pistons) 14. Garden City Historical Museum 15. Detroit Institute of Arts/Zoo

Assessing our Youth Transitions Surveys of 4 th,6 th (ME and MY World), & 8 th Graders (My Phy) Take approximately 75 minutes Group Results Only Assess positive relationships, opportunities, and capacities youth need. Measure the 40 Developmental Assets, six risk-taking behavior patterns, three risk behaviors, and seven thriving indicators. Create Permission Slip to take test to accompany letter to parents.

ASK Recommendations And so we are not just trying to fix young people but promote their strengths. ASK is not just another after school program, but an opportunity to enhance teacher/student relationships with the young people in our community. Recommendations for caring adults: Know the names of kids in your neighborhood. Walk your talk, be a role model. Coach a team. Parents, eat at least 1 meal w/ your kids if possible Talk about people who positively effected you Ask who are their role models Leaders, educate others on Asset Building.

Building Children for Success “ We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future.”