Building Our Community From the Youth Up

PROJECT CORNERSTONE

October 1, 2009

What is Project Cornerstone?

Project Cornerstone is a catalyst for change in Santa Clara County by providing training and technical assistance to community partners.

Our mission is to build a community where adults support all children to thrive.

We use a research-based developmental asset model to promote healthy kids and a healthy community.

Our Santa Clara County Movement

Project Cornerstone’s community partners number 400 and include schools, city and county governments, non-profit organizations, private businesses, youth groups, parent groups, faith-based organizations and philanthropies.

Today, our work is directly impacting 40,000 youth and adults every month.

Developmental Assets are…

…the experiences, values, relationships, opportunities and competencies that all children and youth need to succeed.

Assets are the essential building blocks of healthy child & youth development.

The Assets Approach: Making the Shift

Shift From… Focus on problems Youth as recipients Assign Blame Rely primarily on

professionals Short-term interventions Despair

To… Focus on strengths Youth as resources Claim Responsibility Everyone has a role

Long-term support Hope

The Power of Assets to Protect

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Usedalcohol

Rode w/DUI

Anti-socialBehavior

SkippedSchool

AttempedSuicide

0-10 assets

11-20 assets

21-30 assets

31-40 assets

The Power of Assets to Promote

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Helps Others Delays Gratification Overcomes Adversity Succeeds in School Maintains GoodHealth

0-10 assets

11-20 assets

21-30 assets

31-40 assets

Assets Decline as Children Get Older

27

20

18 18

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

5 7 9 11

Average # ofAssets PerGrade Level

Asset Building Results in …

… the accumulation of thousands of interactions in which children and youth are valued, respected and known.

Palo Alto Recreation - 41 Developmental Assets

Provides a Common Language

It’s Simple

It’s Effective

Programs and Activitiesthat Intentionally Build Assets

Assets - Community Values Youth, Positive View of Personal Future

Leadership Groups, Youth Leadership Recognition Night, Teen Center Evaluations

Assets - Positive Cultural Identity, Self-Esteem, Positive Family Communication,

Activity - International Week and Potluck, Girl’s Night, Boy’s Night, Member of the Month

Assets - Positive Peer Influence, School Engagement, Reading for Pleasure

Activity - Homework Computer Lab, Peer Tutoring, Library Collaborations, Text Book Drive

Assets - Family Support, Positive Family Communication, Parent Involvement,

Family Movie Night, Family Fun Night, What’s for Dinner BBQ, New Year’s Festival

Developmental Assets As A Framework

Examples from Palo Alto Family YMCA: Adult Engagement Model – highlighting 10 assets

during 10 weeks of summer camp focused on teaching through adults.

Swim club – example of a program that incorporates Developmental Assets as a framework while maintaining program continuity.

Community Asset Initiatives

Examples: Los Gatos has launched a community initiative that

combines the efforts of the schools with youth serving organizations, service clubs, faith organizations and businesses.

Morgan Hill intentionally connects the youth development activities of the City Parks and Recreation department with the YMCA.

We must be the change we want to see in the world.

- Gandhi

www.projectcornerstone.org