Monday, May 11, 2009

Now Hiring

Hello Champions,

Malin and I need help to find our replacements. We are looking at filling this position by the end of the month or the end of June. Please, pass the attached job description to anyone and everyone who you know that needs a job. As many of you know this is a great opportunity for recent college graduates to use their degree and gain many transferable job skills. This is also an opportunity for people who are looking at making a career change.

If you or the person that you pass this information on to has questions please have them contact us. You can also find more information on our wedsite: www.metroyouthpartnership.org

Eleanor and Malin

Monday, April 20, 2009

Brave New Voices

Spring has sprung, along with an array of exciting asset building activities. From "Spark" Training to sandbag slinging, youth in the Fargo-Moorhead area have been active and engaged in community service.

Recently, I saw a commercial advertising a new HBO series showcasing the spoken word pieces of youth across the nation. The youth in this series are engaged, empowered, and poetic.

Check it out! http://www.hbo.com/bravenewvoices/about/

Brave New Voices is a new seven-part series that features teenage poets and their mentors from San Francisco, Philadelphia, New York, Santa Fe, Ft. Lauderdale, Honolulu and Ann Arbor as they prepare for Youth Speaks' 2008 Brave New Voices International Youth Poetry Slam Finals.

These young poets represent a growing national movement featuring thousands of teenagers writing and performing spoken word as a way to have voice in their communities and in the nation as a whole. These are the Brave New Voices and the organizations that support them.

The youth represent an amazing blend of spoken word, hip-hop, poetry, music, power, voice, imagination, and more. Brave New Voices sheds light onto this largely unseen world, putting an honest spotlight on some of the most dynamic young adults in the country.

Monday, April 13, 2009

Curious George Sighting

Saturday, April 18th at the Moorhead Center Mall
Curious George will be celebrating Week of the Young Child

I would encourage you to bring your family to celebrate young children and families with a fun filled morning at the Moorhead Center Mall.

If you have questions please call Metro Youth Partnership 218-299-5437.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Reflection

I know that as we were all fighting back the waters of the mighty Red, Buffalo, and Wild Rice Rivers the last thing that was on our minds was asset building.

I would encourage you to reflect on the last 12 days, to find some stories to share with others about the impact you made on the community and the lives of the people who came to help us fight back the waters. As you all know, where there are people interacting there are opportunities to build assets and those are the stories we would love to hear about.

Please share your stories by clicking on this link and completing the form!

A message from our Executive Director:

The flood of 2009 is not over yet, but we are breathing collective sighs of relief. The stories of people fighting for their community have been inspirational and overwhelming. Once again, our young people stood shoulder to shoulder in this fight against the flood – whether they were natives, college students or young people from around the region.

We want to make sure we capture the stories of young people who came to the rescue. Please send us your stories, big and small….if you have names and feel comfortable using them, that is great; in those cases, it would be helpful to also have contact info – phone/address/email. Please also include links to news stories, YouTube, Facebook, anything that captures the involvement of young people. Eventually, we may come up with a more high tech way to capture these stories, but do not want to waste time. And I don’t have a concrete plan as to what to do with the stories, but do want to begin the process of capturing them.

Thanks, in advance.

Barry Nelson, Executive Director

Metro Youth Partnership

Friday, March 13, 2009

Asset Champions meet "Spark" Champions!

One of the most exciting things that has been happening at Metro Youth Partnership centers around a growing partnership with a small group of dedicated students at Ben Franklin Middle School in Fargo, ND.

This group of empowered students has been working hard to create a youth-led version of Asset Champion Training. Their training is interactive, artistic, exciting, and extraordinarily powerful!!! On top of introducing adults in the Fargo-Moorhead area to the developmental asset framework, it asks each participant to consider acting as a "Spark" Champion for young people in the community.

There are two community "Spark" Trainings scheduled for this spring, here are the details:

"Spark" Training

Teens Training Adults

The "Sparks" (Search Institute) of these teens will teach adults simple skills to become a "Spark Champion" for any teen.

When? March 30th or April 22nd: Noon to 1pm

Where? Fargo Public Schools District Office, Board Room (415 4th St. N.)

Why? To learn and impact the lives of children and teens

How? Contact Mary Jean Dehne. Ben Franklin Middle School. 701-446-3800

Monday, March 9, 2009

Hard Economic Times...call for Family Time

In these hard economic times…have you noticed how advertisers are encouraging people to spend time with their families at home?

Companies like Kraft and Stouffers are encouraging people to save money and stay at home with their family.

The new Kraft singles commercials that I saw over the weekend; shows you all the great ways that you can create an inexpensive and healthy meal with your family. The commercials suggest different ways to beef up a grilled cheese sandwich. The commercial shows a mother and daughter making the meals together. How you seen the commercials? Did the commercial inspire you to spend time with your family? Does this sound like Asset language to you, it does to me?

As I was growing up meal time meant family time.

Stouffers is all about family meal time on their website “Stouffers Dinner Moments”.

This section of the website is so family focused it is wild!!! You should really go check it out http://www.dinnermoments.com/default.aspx. The video under the “Let’s fix Dinner” tab has a lot of Asset language, which reinforces that the idea that you are building Asset and do not even relies it. As we say in the training Search’s research just supports and reinforces the great things that many of you are already doing. Check out the website and let me know what you think. Also, share your meal time ideas with others by posting them on the blog.

These are the Assets that family dinner time will build: (This list might be shorter if I was to list Assets that can NOT be built at the dinner table.)

Asset #1—Family Support

Asset # 2—Positive Family Communication

Asset # 3--- Other Adult Role Relationships (encourage your children to invite their role models to dinner with your family)

Asset #11--- Family Boundaries (This will give you as parents the opportunity/ venue to discuss family boundaries

Asset # 20--- Time at home

What other Assets do you see that could be built around the dinner table?

Family Games Night “Bring Home the Fun”

Here is what Hasbro has to say about Family Game Night…Let me know what your families favorite game is.

“Family Game Night!

It's time to bring home a new game and bring your family together - it's time for FAMILY GAME NIGHT! HASBRO games are a tried and true medium for lively, engaging, face-to-face fun and connection.

When you bring home a new game and make a night of staying in and playing, your family gets to laugh, trash talk, have new adventures, and get into the fun!

With so many new Hasbro games, the possibilities for Family Game Night are endless!”

http://www.hasbro.com/familygamenight/

Monday, March 2, 2009

FREE Community Event

Asset 34- Cultural Competence... Tell us what you think? We would love to hear your reactions to this event.

Student Service-Learning Project “History in the Making”

Hosted by the Historical & Cultural Society of Clay County

The Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County (formally the Heritage Hjemkomst Interpretive Center and the Clay County Museum and Archives) is proud to host over 100 students from House 7A of Horizon Middle School as they unveil and celebrate the local history projects they created in conjunction with their community partners: Bonanzaville USA, Concordia College Archives, The Historic Comstock House and the Historical & Cultural Society of Clay County.

Projects for “History in the Making” include performances, documentaries, multi-media presentations, and exhibits that celebrate and showcase the rich heritage of our region.

Language Arts Teacher Carla J. Smith hopes “that students find that this truly is home and that they continue to appreciate and celebrate our region and its rich history. I want students to feel rooted here, to feel that what they say and do matters. I believe this project is important because it begins to forge those bonds.”

Date: March 9, 2009

Time: 4pm-7pm

Location: Hjemkomst Center

202 1^st Ave N

Moorhead

Admission: Free & Open to the Public

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Great News for National Service Programs!

From the Corporation for National and Community Service:
(For the full story, click here.)

Overview of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act)

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) was signed into law by President Obama on February 17th, 2009. It is an unprecedented effort to jumpstart our economy, create or save millions of jobs, and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the 21st century. The Act is an extraordinary response to a crisis unlike any since the Great Depression, and includes measures to modernize our nation's infrastructure, enhance energy independence, expand educational opportunities, preserve and improve affordable health care, provide tax relief, and protect those in greatest need.

Implementing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act)

The Recovery Act includes $201 million in funding for the Corporation for National and Community Service to support an expansion of AmeriCorps State and National and AmeriCorps VISTA programs. This investment is a strong vote of confidence in the value of national service in engaging citizens in addressing unmet needs and strengthening communities.

As we begin to carry out the Recovery Act, it’s important to remember that the entire family of national service – Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, VISTA, NCCC, and Learn and Serve America – is critical to helping communities and individuals cope in our current economic crisis. For decades, national service programs have worked in our most vulnerable communities, providing hope and help to people facing economic and social needs. Today, as the economic downturn puts millions of Americans at risk, we need national service and volunteering more than ever.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Oprah's show yesterday

I have said this before and I will say it again... after you have learned about Assets you begin to recognize Asset building activities all the time.

Yesterday, on Oprah she had "The World's Smartest and Most Talented Kids"

Dalton was one for the performers, he was an inspirational speaker who spoke about how adults have an impact on his life. I could not find the clip of him on the show but take my word it was really good. I was able to find Dalton speaking at a Martin Luther King Jr. event in Jan. 2009. Here is the link to the YouTube Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_STe9Ff0yc&feature=related

Below is the information from the Oprah Show.

From an early age, 10-year-old Dalton has been passionate about one thing—talking! "If I pick him up from school, Dalton will talk all the way home. I say, 'Man, just give Daddy a break,'" says Carlos, Dalton's dad. "He just loves to talk."

Dalton's fourth-grade teacher, Ms. Redmond, sensed his passion, as well. In fact, she entered him in a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. oratorical contest, where he won a $1,000 prize. "I love that [talking] inspires people," Dalton says.

After winning the contest, Dalton was invited to speak at events all over Dallas. He was even asked to address more than 17,000 teachers and administrators of the Dallas Independent School District. "I was very nervous, [but] you couldn't tell," he says. "I was shaking a lot." Dalton didn't let his nerves get the best of him. "He gets up there and he just knocks it down," Carlos says.

Dalton says one day he'd like to become a news reporter—a passion Oprah knows a lot about. "I was a speaker, did you know that?" Oprah asks him. "I was doing this when I was 3, 5 and 7, and I wanted to be a news reporter. Good luck. I think you're on the way."

-http://www.oprah.com/slideshow/oprahshow/20081106_tows_kids/8

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Asset Building Tools

You're receiving this email because of your relationship with Search Institute. Please confirm your continued interest in receiving email from us.

You may unsubscribe if you no longer wish to receive our emails.

In This Issue . . . February 2009, #1

Assets are FREE SI in the News FREE Webinar Valentine's E-Cards New Training at Search

Developmental Assets are FREE!

We have a wealth of resources that won't cost you a cent . . .

NEW free products and podcasts

Ideas for connecting with youth

Research about the power of the assets

Parenting tips and tools

E-Newsletters . . . and more!

"Taking on Spiritual Development: Its Importance and Possible Pitfalls for the Youth Development Field"

February 20, 2009 12:30 - 2:00 pm CST
Hosted by Dr. Peter Benson and Gene Roehlkepartain

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

My Heart Belongs to You(th)!!!!!

Dear Friends of Metro Youth Partnership,

Dakota Medical Foundation (DMF) wants to inspire you to share with others in need and help health-related nonprofits in our region. On Thursday, February 12, DMF will match online contributions made to Giving Hearts Day nonprofit organizations up to $5,000. Metro Youth Partnership is participating in this opportunity with our “MY Heart Belongs to You(th)” campaign and I invite you to give from the heart! With your help, Metro Youth Partnership can raise a tremendous amount of funding to support our mission. And, if Metro Youth Partnership is one of the top five organizations to receive the most online contributions, we will receive additional incentive funding from DMF!*

To make a secure online contribution to Metro Youth Partnership and have your donation matched, simply go to www.impactgiveback.org on February 12 and click on the Giving Hearts Day “Learn More/Donate” button. On Giving Hearts Day, you can double your charitable dollars and GiveBack with Impact!

!!In the meantime, please forward this message, the linked flier, or, more importantly, your own email to your friends, co-workers, family and urge them to give on this date.

*Incentive funds will be awarded to the charities that receive the most donations on February 12 (first place = $20,000; Second = $15,000; Third = $10,000; Fourth = $7,500; and Fifth = $5,000!).

Looking for a PDF to forward to everyone you know? Find it here!

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Job Posting

Do you need a job or do you know someone who does.... Metro Youth Partnership has what you need!!!!!

Follow this link to look at the job description:
http://metroyouthpartnership.org/Asset%20Champion%20VISTA%20Job%20Description.pdf

If you have questions please contact us!!!!

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

My Heart Belongs to You(th)!!!

Monday, January 26, 2009

Search Marks 50-Years!

For the full story with images, click here!

At 50-year mark, Search Institute still has a heart for kids

By PATRICE RELERFORD, Star Tribune

January 23, 2009

In a suburban Minneapolis high school, a group of low-income and minority students meets with teachers for an "emotional check-in" to discuss advanced courses they're taking and their college plans. Several states away, educators in Houston help teens whose families relocated there after Hurricane Katrina adjust to their new lives.

While they're separated by hundreds of miles, these programs and countless other youth initiatives in the United States are influenced by the work of the Search Institute, a Minneapolis-based nonprofit that recently celebrated its 50th anniversary.

Search Institute evolved from a Midwestern youth survey organization in the late 1950s to a nationally renowned child and adolescent development agency in the late 1980s and 1990s. Today, Search Institute resources are used by more than 10,000 U.S. schools and youth agencies.

According to youth development experts, Search Institute's key contribution is a pioneering framework of 40 "developmental assets," or qualities that all kids should possess, whether they live in a penthouse or a tenement. They were developed by Peter L. Benson, Search Institute's president and CEO.

At first glance, the nonprofit's developmental assets are deceptively simple. They include the need for a caring school climate, a sense of purpose and strong relationships with at least three non-parent adults.

But youth experts said Search Institute's philosophy represented a groundbreaking research-backed road map that reshaped the way many schools, governments and other agencies work with youth.

"Before he [Benson] came onto the scene, America defined positive development in young people as the absence of problems," said Richard Lerner, director of the Institute for Applied Research in Youth Development at Tufts University in Boston. "Imagine if your boss said you've done a good job today simply because you didn't embarrass them or burn down the office."

Focus on resources, not problems

The St. Louis Park School District used Search Institute principles to restructure its high school in the 1990s. Today some of its student-centered programs, including efforts on behalf of low-income and minority youths, are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

"Search is one of the few agencies that looks at kids as resources rather than problems that need to be fixed," said Angela Jerabek, director of St. Louis Park High School's ninth-grade and small learning communities programs.

Terrence Chastan-Davis, a junior at St. Louis Park High, said teachers and other staff at his school are supportive, and he doesn't hesitate to approach them about school work or other issues outside of class.

The 16-year-old said teachers encouraged him to apply to join an after-school program called Admission Possible. It helps low-income juniors and seniors prepare for the ACT, manage their course work and navigate the college admission process. St. Louis Park students in the program meet with college coaches at least twice a week.

"If I'd never gotten into this [program], I wouldn't be thinking about college," he said.

Signature contribution

Benson created the developmental assets in the late 1980s and 1990s. Benson joined Search Institute in 1978 as a lead researcher. At the time, the nonprofit had 12 employees and a budget of less than a half-million dollars. Today it employs more than 50 people and has an annual budget of roughly $8 million.

He has written and edited more than a dozen books on child and adolescent development. His latest book, "Sparks: How Parents Can Help Ignite the Hidden Strengths of Teenagers," contains a foreword by Alma Powell, wife of former Secretary of State Gen. Colin Powell and chair of the America's Promise Alliance. The national nonprofit facilitates volunteer programs for youth nationwide.

"It isn't the only thing we do but our signature contribution is to bring to the world this universal framework [of developmental assets]," Benson said. "Scientific studies show the 40 assets matter for all kids across race, ethnicity and family income whether they live in New York or Abilene, Kansas."

In Texas, Search Institute has also built close relationships with schools and youth agencies, said Pat Rosenberg, of Houston, who is a member of the Texas Association of Partners in Education.

Search Institute trained Houston school counselors to develop methods to emphasize the importance of building positive relationships with students. Houston students, including teens who moved there after Hurricane Katrina, have traveled to Search Institute youth conferences.

"We knew that even the custodians can have a positive, lasting impact on kids," Rosenberg said.

As the Obama administration settles into Washington and works to foster more opportunities for children and teens, Lerner said the work of youth development agencies could gain more traction. Search Institute is a pillar of that movement, Lerner said

"In his notion of youth development [Benson and the Search Institute] have given communities and families hands-on actions they can take to improve the lives of young people," Lerner said. "If there was a medal that we gave out in the youth development field, he would be first in line to get."

Patrice Relerford • 612-673-4395

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Assets at Oak Grove Lutheran School

This morning MYP and a crew of youth-leadership folks headed over to the Scheels Center at Oak Grove to teach 110 - 6th, 7th, and 8th graders the importance of developmental assets!

The morning began with a bustling game called "the hovda."

It goes something like this:

mingle, mingle, mingle

then a number is called out and everyone has to scramble and form groups to complete a certain action. for example, number 5 is a merry-go-round with one person standing in the center and four other people holding hands and circling the "pivot" person!

The opening games were a blast!

Next, we broke into small groups and rotated through several asset building stations. The collage above is from a station where the students explored their personal history by cutting out images that represented significant happenings in their lives.

Other stations included asset bingo, team-building by trying to fit into a 3'x4' square taped on the floor, relaxation and reflection, and human machine construction!

All in all, the morning was a gigantic asset building fest!

More pictures to come!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Intergenerational White House

Intergenerational asset building has moved to the White House! A recent NY Times Article, profiles the new First Family highlighting that Michelle Obama's mother will be moving into the White House.

Relationships that cross generations are a fundamental aspect of asset building. Whether it's a live in mother-or-father-in-law, or a friendly neighbor, adult role models are essential to the healthy and successful development of young people.

Share your intergenerational stories as comments on this post!

If you want to learn more about relationships that cross generations, check out these sites:

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Service Learning

I love service learning...I know that I learn better when I am in an environment of service. This could be why I have chosen to do a year of VISTA Service. The things that I have learned in my 6 months are endless and I know that I will learn more looking back on the experience in a few years. If you would like to learn more about how you can become the Asset Champion Network Coordinator, please contact me.

The reason that I bring up Service Learning is because this month's Asset Champion Newsletter from Search Institute is all about Service Learning. Below is the link to the newsletter but I want to highlight a few things.

http://www.search-institute.org/asset-champion/jan2009

I think that it is so important for young people to have elderly people in their lives, I know that as I was growing up I had many adoptive grandparents that played a large part in my life and still do.

The service project highlighted in the newsletter is great because the youth plan the activities at the assisted living facility and also participate in them. In the newsletter it states that 27 of the assets are built through this activity. Holy cow...why was this not around when I was in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade? If you are interested in starting something like this in our community, please contact me and together we can work on starting something.

Friday, January 9, 2009

Check It Out....

Some sweet asset building advise!!!!

Asset Champions are doing great things again...so I had to share it with you all...
Nancy Taralson wrote this newsletter letting everyone know about the importance of building assets.

Check it out, we are the cover story
http://www.moorheadpolice.com/pdf/BeatJan09.pdf

All City Youth Super Bowl Party
When : Feb 1st 5-9pm
Where: Oak Grove Lutheran Scheels Center
What: Potluck--Bring a snack

Share in a celebration recognizing and honoring the Forum's "person of the year"

At half time, there will be a "Chalk Talk" to discuss what will happen in the second half or what is next for our great young leaders

Everyone is invited and it would be great to have Asset Champions, a.k.a. supportive adults, in the community showing support by attending. All are welcome and encouraged to bring friends and neighbors.

If you have questions please contact me!!!!!

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

In the Forum Today

The front page of the Life {Mom's and More} section featured the new in-forum website

In-forum Moms

Asset Champions is one of the newest members of the website so become our friend our user name is AssetsChamps.

Remember to save the date for January 23rd at Babb's to support Metro Youth Partnership's Mentor Program. See other posts for more information

Monday, January 5, 2009

Your Asset Building Stories

Thank you for sending in your stories!!!

These are great examples of easy things that can be done throughout the year to build assets.

I did some asset building before Christmas break by sending handwritten thank yous and Starbucks gift cards to area elementary teachers who serve as models for my students.

This is a great example because January is Mentor Month
Remember, to schedule your coffee dates on the 23rd at Babb's! See more details below.

My Asset Building during the past two weeks consisted of 8 days with
my grand kids and did we have a full schedule. The ages are 9, 7, 6,
and 3 we spent alot of time outside snowmobiling and sledding and
walking in the deep snow in the woods which they just love.

We had time for many stories which I have to make up at bedtime and it
is always about nature and the deer, bear and animals in the forest. I
did read and have them read to me also. The 3 year old tells her own
type of story!

It is great to see that asset building opportunities can also be teaching opportunities

An unlikely asset builder?

Check out this video from E!'s Snoop Dogg's Fatherhood the clip is "Snoop Dogg: Team Talk"

http://www.eonline.com/on/shows/snoopdogg/index.jsp

Tell me what you think.