Integrating the Developmental Assets

Topic area: Strategies and Tools for Adults

Grand Rapids YMCA, Grand Rapids, Michigan -- In the spring of 2000, Jan Wierenga, Director of the Grand Rapids YMCA, wanted the staff to have a deeper understanding of the Developmental Assets Framework and how the approach could improve service delivery to the children and youth participating in Y programs and activities. She was also interested in convening a large gathering to introduce the Developmental Assets Framework to a broad and diverse community audience.

After phone communication with Community Matters staff, CM was asked to design and present both of these sessions. The sessions were presented in June of 2000 and yielded several outcomes.

The community meeting was attended by more than 100 participants and provided a platform to introduce the developmental assets framework. It also provided a means for building a cadre of informed community leaders who could carry the message forward. In addition, some community action teams were established to explore ways to integrate the assets approach into current youth development efforts in the community.

The staff development session was a rich process which allowed program staff -- aquatics, membership, resident camp, day camp, child care, teens, sports -- to deepen their understanding of the developmental assets, and look at ways to develop an asset-rich curriculum for their respective areas of responsibilities. As a result, the staff are now even more committed to integrating the developmental assets framework in to all their program offerings.

See: Developmental assets

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