ABOUT THE ASSET BUILDERS COLLABORATIVE
The Asset Builders Collaborative of the Pajaro Valley (ABC) unites youth serving organizations committed to building Developmental Assets in young people.
By establishing a common framework for youth development, ABC’s efforts will result in:
- A more interconnected network of youth supports and services anchored by a shared understanding of our young people’s strengths and areas where adults and youth serving organizations can provide more support.
- A shared vision for youth success and common language to articulate our impact.
- Enhanced individual and collective impact, fostering a community where all youth feel valued, honored, included, safe, and supported.
- Policy-level changes that strengthen youth development initiatives and ensure sustainable support for young people
SYSTEM CHANGES
- From an adult centered community to one in which youth feel valued, honored, included, safe and supported.
- From a mindset of scarcity to abundance where youth have access to opportunities to reach their full potential.
- From Youth Serving Organizations that work in silos to Organizations that intentionally work on collective impact, through shared values, goals, and language that leverages strengths through partnerships and aligned services.
ABC VISION
All youth in Pajaro Valley to have the building blocks, “assets,” they need to feel valued, respected and known.
ABC MISSION
To coordinate the efforts of all Pajaro Valley youth serving organizations for collective impact by utilizing the 41 Developmental Assets Framework.
41 DEVELOPMENTAL ASSETS
Developed by Search Institute, championed by Project Cornerstone, Developmental Assets are the positive supports and strengths that young people need to succeed. Grounded in extensive research in youth development, resiliency, and prevention, it identifies:- The supports, opportunities, and relationships young people need across all aspects of their lives, called “external assets;” and
- The personal skills, self-perceptions, and values they need, called “internal assets,” to make good choices, take responsibility for their own lives, and be independent and fulfilled.
WHEN YOUTH HAVE MORE ASSETS, THEY ARE:
More likely to thrive now and in the future
Less likely to engage in a wide range of high-risk behaviors
More likely to be resilient in the face of challenges
INTERESTED IN JOINING?
By joining ABC, Collaborative Member organizations commit to:
- Pass an organizational Board resolution adopting the 41 Developmental Assets for Youth as one of the organization’s framework for youth development.
- Commit to intentionally build youth assets through program level design and goals.
- Actively participate in monthly Collaborative meetings for one year.
- Assign a staff member to a Collaborative subcommittee, if able to.
