Giving Youth the Edge They Need to Succeed - THE ASSET EDGE

We've Moved!

2012-01-06T08:43:00.000-08:00

We are still blogging - actually more than ever! But we've moved to a new address. Visit us at http://theassetedge.net/blog/

You can also see our workshops, resources and educational articles at www.TheAssetEdge.net.

And twitter with us @TheAssetEdge

Fusion Arts & Service Camp - Journals for Girls in the Hospital

2010-07-21T09:00:00.000-07:00

On day three of the Fusion Arts & Service Camp we visited the Ronald McDonald House, where we learned about this wonderful home-away-from-home for families with critically ill children in the hospital. After touring the facility, we started decorating our handmade journals for teen girls in the hospital. We used spray glue and glue sticks to cover a composition book with decorative scrapbook paper. Then the girls wrote encouraging quotes on random pages throughout the journal. Some girls added embellishments – a butterfly, a pinwheel, or a heart on the cover or throughout the book. The final step was modge-podging the covers, then we presented our gifts to the volunteer coordinator. We loved this project!!

Fusion Arts & Service Camp - Recycled Paper Bracelets

2010-07-20T09:00:00.000-07:00

After touring Ten Thousand Villages, and hearing stories about the wonderful recycled products made by women & children around the world, the Fusion Camp Volunteers set off to make our own recycled jewelry. These are recycled paper bracelets. You cut strips from old magazines, cover one side with modge podge, and roll them up around a coffee stirring stick. The girls were proud of their creations, and each left with plans to give their bracelet to someone as a gesture of encouragement.

We used these activities to talk about cultural competence, as well as equality and social justice - 2 of the 40 Developmental Assets.

Letter to Nashville Youth Workers - Mayor Dean's Quest to help Nashville be a Great City for Young People

2010-07-19T13:05:00.000-07:00

Dear Colleagues,

As you likely know by now, Mayor Dean appointed a Task Force five months ago to study, to strategize, and to develop a visionary and guiding document to help Nashville be a great city for young people; a safe, supportive, inclusive, engaging, and healthy city for young people.

On July 28 at 10am at the Youth Opportunity Center, MayTask Force will formally present this plan to the Mayor.

I am asking if you will join in supporting these efforts, but more importantly, if you can help us rally some young people to demonstrate their support for this work. While the specifics of the plan will not be launched until that day, I have put a brief description below if you would like to share it with your youth to explain the nature of the process and the event. Young people have been involved in every phase of this work, from the Mayor's Youth Council and the youth summit, to youth-led focus groups, to a youth-led survey of over 1200 students, to youth members of the task force and even a youth chair of the task force. Youth also submitted artwork, poetry, and even an original song! The commitment to youth has been practiced in the process.

This is not "just another task force." This is a huge step forward for our city in our coordination, commitment to and investment in youth, and it is a step that is already drawing national attention for both its scope and specificity. Please help us support these effort and celebrate on July 28.

I would appreciate it if you could let me know if you will be attending and if you will be bringing young people.

Thanks so much!

Description:

About 5 months ago, Mayor Karl Dean organized a Task Force of more than 50 Nashville leaders from all sectors of the community to come together and help develop a Child and Youth Master Plan. The purpose of such a plan is to set a vision and organize and prioritize strategies for the city to ensure that its young people grow up healthy, safe, educated and prepared for life.

The Task Force is divided into four committees whose focus is described briefly below and spans a variety of ages: 0-5, 6-10, 11-13, 14-18, and 19-21 years old.

Education Lifecycle: What supports and opportunities do we need to focus on in terms of education in the life of a child/young person from 0 to 21 years of age? What is in place and working? What do we need to improve? What does success look like for a young person in regard to education?
Health and Safety: What does it mean for our young people to be healthy? What does safety mean in regard to our young people? What are we doing that is working? What are the biggest health and safety concerns for children/youth? What do we need to improve on? What does success look like?
Out of School Time: What opportunities do our young people have for out of school time activities? What does this look like across different ages? What opportunities do we want for our young people? What are we already doing well? What do we need to improve on?
Youth Mobility and Stability: What are the key issues in regard to child/youth and family mobility and stability? What sorts of things cause instability (housing, jobs, etc.)? What can we improve to create more stability? How can we ensure access to positive mobility (like transportation)?

Anderson Williams
Director of Consulting
Oasis Center
615.983.6858

Fusion Arts & Service Camp - Murals

2010-07-19T09:00:00.000-07:00

We led an awesome camp for middle school girls last week as part of the Harpeth Hall School Summer Program. Each day we went to a different place to volunteer utilizing the girl's passion for arts & crafts.

Here's a picture of some of the murals we painted for the YMCA's preschool camp. 100+ children speaking 8+ languages will be coming to the YMCA to learn reading skills and get ready for school.

Corey Burton, a very artistic Y staff person, drew the images, and the girls painted the silhouette posters. We were thrilled with the way the 11 posters turned out!
The activity led to conversations about the assets of creative activities and support.

Youth as Leaders

2010-07-16T09:00:00.000-07:00

There is virtually no limit to what young people can do, no social need they cannot at least do something about. With a broad enough perspective, it’s hard to think of a positive social role teenagers have not at some time filled: from leading crusades, commanding armies, advising kings – being kings – to making scientific discoveries, composing symphonies, and exposing injustices. What youth can do is limited more by social and political convention than by capacity, energy or willingness.

– Dan Conrad and Diane Hedlin

The Rebelution Do Hard Things Tour

2010-07-15T09:00:00.000-07:00

This powerful conference is coming to major cities across the USA over the next few months. Each conference is a challenging one-day event for teens by teens who believe that our generation is ready for a change. I hope you'll consider sending your teens to this event - I believe it will be a life-changing experience. I think it's $30 to attend the full day event. Click here to find out more.

Kids and Screen Time

2010-07-14T10:22:00.000-07:00

Jolene at Parent Further just posted an interesting conversation starter about Kids and Screen time - tv, movies, video games... With the prevalence of media in homes, schools and afterschool centers, it's an important conversation to have!

Summer Reading - Favorites from 2nd Grade

2010-07-12T08:47:00.000-07:00

My son's 2nd grade class compiled a list of their favorite books read during the year. Their compiliation makes a great list for summer reading!

Judy Moody*
Robert Munsch*
Miss Nelson
Ready Freddy
Eric Carle
Nate the Great
Hardy Boys
39 Clues
The seeks*
Very Hungry Caterpillar
Diary of A Wimpy Kid*
Funny Lunch*
Rainbow Magic: Shannon the Ocean Fairy*
Pet Fairies*
Jewel Fairies*
Horribly Harry
Tinkerbell*
American Girl
Sophie the Awesome*
Berenstain Bears
Babysitter's Club*
Magic Treehouse
Junie B Jones*
Magic School Bus
Nancy Drew
Books about animals

I put an asterik beside the books that we have not yet read, or don't totally love for this age group.

Happy Reading!

teens help disabled neighbors build gardens

2010-07-09T07:29:00.000-07:00

Here is a news story from the Chattanooga Y-CAP program's new service-learning program. They are one of our partners in a statewide service-learning training program for after-school organizations. It's exciting to see the impact they are making with multiple generations in their city!

At-risk teens help disabled neighbors build gardens

Creative Writing Story Starters

2010-07-07T18:42:00.000-07:00

If you have children that need practice with creative writing, check out this link with pictures and captions to kick off a writing adventure.

Depending on the task, creative writing can build many assets, including Commitment to Learning, Boundaries & Expectations, Positive Values, and Social Competencies.

Sample Pages from "Building Character from the Start"

2010-07-05T13:12:00.000-07:00

If you haven't seen our latest book, you can get a 13-page sneak peek here at the BMI Educational Services website. You can also buy the book in e-book format at their site, or you can go to your favorite online bookseller to purchase a paperback copy of the book/CD-rom.

Great Project Ideas!

2010-07-05T12:38:00.000-07:00

I just found the coolest website called Dad Can Do. Chris Barnardo's concept is to share projects that Dads can do with their kids, but these are great project ideas for after-school groups and summer camps too.

He has ideas for making trains, drawing dragons, decorating boxes to be telephone booths, Batman's spotlight, a floating submarine, glue gun bugs, shadow box frames, and so many more cool things!

If you like the site, check out his book too.

Nurturing Sparks - June Newsletter

2010-07-02T09:00:00.000-07:00

June's Asset Messenger is now online. If you want to sign up for this free monthly newsletter, send your name, agency, and email address to ann@TheAssetEdge.net .

Happy Independence Weekend!

ann & susan

Preview of "Great Group Games for Kids"

2010-07-01T09:30:00.000-07:00

Our next book should be released within a few days, and we're waiting with anticipation. We are excited to announce sneak peeks of the book at our publisher's website. You can see them here. :)

150 fun-filled games - all connecting to real life lessons in making friendships, getting along with others, respect, and other social skills that children need to thrive in relationships.

Kids Off the Couch - Creative Learning Adventures

2010-06-30T12:48:00.000-07:00

This whimsical website connects media (movies/books) with super cool educational adventures. For example, they watch Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, then go visit a chocolate store to sample/judge chocolate flavors. After watching Bug's Life, they went to visit an insect zoo. After watching Field of Dreams, attend a baseball game. Read/watch Chronicles of Narnia, then plant a tree together.

They have paired together some very fun activities with classic and new films and books. My media savvy husband is going to love these ideas!

Wouldn't this be a super cool way to celebrate a great week of learning? Fantastical Fridays could be afternoons of learning and adventure all over town. How fun!

Sneak Some Math into Summer Vacation

2010-06-28T09:00:00.000-07:00

Looking for sneaky ways to weave math into your children's brains? Read these simple ideas from Preteenagers Today. From money-making ventures to baseball stats to maps, these will get your child's math gears churning without realizing their doing math!

The Earth Book

2010-06-25T05:50:00.000-07:00

We haven't read this book yet, but I enjoyed reading Character Counts' review of the resource:

The Earth Book by Todd Parr is a powerful tool for kids intent on “going green.” With its colorful array of primary pictures, this hardcover offers 10 suggestions, complemented by explanations to validate the tips, about how kids can help the earth. Read their full review here.

Responsibility is one of the 40 Assets, and environmental responsibility is a great way to start conversations with children.

Disney Friends for Change Grants (Deadline: July 15)

2010-06-21T14:58:00.000-07:00

Disney's Friends for Change grants encourage kids everywhere to take steps together with their friends to help the planet. YSA will award 75 $500 grants to youth-led service initiatives around the world that demonstrate youth leadership and the commitment to making a positive impact on the environment. Eligible applicants will be asked to implement their projects between September and November and to connect their projects to International Coastal Cleanup Day, National Public Lands Day (both September 25), or other environmentally-focused days of service.. Disney Friends for Change Grants are open to schools, organizations, and individuals planning service projects. Applications submitted by younger children aged 5-14 are especially welcome. The goal of the grant is to inspire children to join their friends and families, schools, and communities to address critical environmental needs as "friends for change" at the local, national, and/or global levels. Grant applications are due Thursday, July 15, 2010. Learn more at: www.ysa.org/grants/announcements/friendsforchange2010

Thanks to the Portage County Alliance for Youth for sharing this announcement!

Tips to Help Your Child Avoid Summer Brain Drain

2010-06-21T09:00:00.000-07:00

This article from Children Today shares creative ideas for integrating academic skills into summer life - at the pool, on vacation, in the kitchen, playing games...

Exploring Space without Leaving Home

2010-06-18T09:00:00.000-07:00

If you know kids that are fascinated with space, go explore NASA's interactive website with games, worksheets, and lesson plans - all free!

Great Group Games for Kids - Review from the Godfather of Games

2010-06-17T09:00:00.000-07:00

We just heard some great news about our book that will be released later this month - Great Group Games for Kids.

Karl Rohnke is the author of Silver Bullets and 14 other books relateed to adventure education. He is the man we revere as the 'Godfather of Games', and he just gave our new book a glowing review:

Ragsdale and Saylor have done it again . . .and just in time. As children today tend to drift father from humanistic play, the experiential, hands-on content of Great Group Games for Kids entices them back from the brink of button pushing isolation. Purposeful play once again trumps electronic recreation; well done ladies.

Kids Zoom Into Action Helping Others

2010-06-16T12:30:00.000-07:00

PBS has a great website called Zoom that helps kids find meaningful ways that they can help others. They have a good variety of categories where kids can find volunteer projects to help animals, the environment, kids, people with disabilities, people who are sick... It's very creative and kid-friendly - I can't wait to show it to my son!

If you are a child or youth in Nashville, we need your help and your vision!

2010-06-15T09:30:00.000-07:00

The Mayor’s Office and the Task Force of the Child and Youth Master Plan are seeking the input and
creative vision of Nashville’s children and youth to help Nashville become the best city in the United States
for children and youth.

We are seeking all forms of creative writing, essays, poetry, and two-dimensional artwork (drawing, painting,
photography, etc.) to help answer the following question:

If Nashville were the perfect place for you to grow up, what would it look like?

As you consider your answer, think about what kinds of opportunities you might have, what kind of people
would be around you, what kind of support you would have, what role you would play in the community and
anything else that would be part of your ideal Nashville.

Think BIG and DREAM BIG and share your vision for Nashville with us!

Submissions will be included in the Mayor’s Child and Youth Master Plan.

Guidelines*

Writing: all essays, poetry or other creative writing must be limited to a maximum of 500 words.

Artwork: all artwork should be two-dimensional and must be original. This can include original painting, drawing, photography,
digital images etc.

SUBMISSION: Please email all writing and digital artwork or photography submissions to Anderson Williams at awilliams@oasiscenter.org. Writing and artwork can also be dropped off at the Youth Opportunity Center at 1704 Charlotte Ave, Suite 200 with attention to Anderson Williams. If you have questions, email Anderson or call him at 983-6858.

***ALL SUBMISSIONS MUST INCLUDE YOUR NAME, YOUR AGE, YOUR EMAIL AND/OR PHONE NUMBER***

DEADLINE: JUNE 30, 2010

Thanks to Anderson Williams for sharing this post!

Reading Helps Plug the Summer Brain Drain

2010-06-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

Summer brain drain. It's what happens during the long, hot summer months when kids who are out of school, forget a lot of what they learned in class.

What's a parent to do? Experts agree: Reading helps to plug that summer brain drain. And parents – who serve as role models for lots of different behaviors – can help their kids develop a love for reading, as well.

Read the rest of this article from Connect with Kids here.

Nashville Organizations Nurturing the Most Common Youth Sparks

2010-06-11T06:51:00.000-07:00

This information was shared by 145 participants at the 2010 Sparks Symposium in Nashville, TN. The event was sponsored by Trevecca, Oasis Center, OJJDP, YLLC, STARS and the YMCA Center for Asset Development. To find out more about research and tools related to SPARKS, visit http://www.ignitesparks.org/.

Animal Welfare
• Audubon Society
• Happy Tales
• Humane Association
• Love at First Sight
• Nashville Zoo
• Saddle Up
• Walden’s Puddle

Athletics
• Centennial Sportsplex
• Church sports leagues
• Community Centers
• Community Sports Leagues
• D1
• Metro Parks and Recreation
• YMCA

Creative Arts
• Art Embrace
• Barefoot Republic Camp
• Cheekwood Botanical Gardens
• Country Music Hall of Fame
• Express at Fellowship Bible Church
• Frist Center for Visual Arts
• JAM camp “School of Rock” – Brentwood
• Kids on the Block
• Nashville Public Library
• Nashville School of the Arts
Centennial Park Arts center
• Salama Urban Ministries
• The Village Cultural Arts Center
• Yeah – Murfreesboro
• W.O. Smith Music School
• Youth Speaks

Helping, Caring
• Boy Scouts
• Girl Scouts
• Habitat for Humanity
• Hands on Nashville
• Hands on Nashville Day
• Metro Parks
• Oasis Center
• Volunteer Tennessee
• Peace Corps

Leading
• Boy Scouts
• Church Leadership Teams
• Community Centers
• Girl Scouts
• Junior Achievement
• Metro Public Health
• Oasis Leadership Teams
• Oasis Youth Action Teams
• STARS
• Student Government
• TLT

Living a quality life ( joy, tolerance, caring…)
• Community Nashville
• Community Nashville/Building Bridges
• Kids on the Block
• Mosque, church, temple...
• Oasis Center
• Scarrit Bennet Center
• Special Olympics
• STARS
• TIRRC

Learning (languages, sciences, history…)
• 4-H
• Adventure Science Center
• Astronomy – Ted McWilliams
• Cohn Adult Center – Community Education
• ESL Classes
• Home Economics – Beverly James
• Junior Achievement (business)
• Language/reading – Carmen Sparkman
• Nashville Public Library
• Parthenon
• Scarritt Bennett
• Schools
• Summer Day Camps
• The Bridge
• Time To Rise
• UT Extension Service
• Warner Park Nature Center
• Y-CAP
• Youth in Government
• Youth Life Learning Center
• Youth Speaks

Reading
• Book ‘em
• Book club at school or community center
• Facebook – if used correctly
• Good Reads (website)
• Nashville Public Library
• Nashville READS
• Rep your voice
• TOTAL

Nature, ecology, environment
• Adventure Science Museum
• Cheekwood Botanical Garden
• Cumberland River Compact
• Dyer Observatory
• Farmer’s Market
• Harpeth River Watershed Assoc
• Kids For A Clean Environment
• Metro Beautification Committee
• Metro Parks: Shelby, Beaman, Bells Bend...
• Nashville Greenways
• Percy Warner Park
• Radnor Lake
• Shelby Park
• Sierra Club
• Team Green
• The Nature Center
• Truth & Reconciliation Project
• Urban Gardens
• Warner Parks

Spirituality, religion
• Churches, synagogues, mosques, temples...
• Good News Clubs
• Inner city ministry
• Pathfinders
• Salama Urban Ministries
• Walking daily with Jesus
• Young Life
• Youth Life Learning Center
• Youth retreats

Edited by Susan Ragsdale and Ann Saylor at the YMCA Center for Asset Development

Baking and School Revolution - The Power of One Small Step

2010-06-09T09:00:00.000-07:00

I just stumbled upon this story on Southern Illinois' Asset Coalition website. I thought you would enjoy reading it too!

Search Institute trainers tell a story about a retired lady who had heard people talk about building assets for years but doubted she could do much since she was older and not always in the best of health. Oh, but she loved to bake.

It occurred to her one day that there was bus stop right outside her house and every day for the past several years a half dozen or so kids would stand outside her house and wait for their bus. It also occurred to her that she didnâ€™t know a single one of their names. But she loved to bake.

So, one day she bakes a batch of cookies, and after almost talking herself out of it several times, she meekly steps out her front door and offers a plate of cookies to the kids waiting for the bus. It was a little weird and awkward, but the kids took the cookies and exchanged timid smiles and a mumbled "thank you" or two. So the next day she was unsure what to do. She didn't know what she should have expected yesterday, but realized it was probably just as weird and awkward for the kids as it was for her. So she made brownies and went out the front door again. This time the smiles were a little bigger and some kids asked her name. In the ten minutes she spent that morning she began to feel that maybe this could turn into something good.

The days and weeks came and went and she continued making treats and soon she knew everybody's name, a little about their families and what they liked and didn't like about school. But one morning her arthritis was hurting bad, so bad she couldn't bake and she really didn't even want to leave the house. So she stayed inside and went back to bed. At the end of the school day after the kids were dropped off, the lady heard some shuffling of feet on her porch. Later, as she opened the front door to check her mail she found a note stuck in the door from the kids letting her know that they hoped she was okay and that they missed seeing her.

After that, she tried to never miss again. It only took a couple more weeks before one of the students asked her if she would ride the bus with them. She asked the bus driver and he said it would be okay and he would bring her home as he finished his route. Within weeks she was also riding on the pick-up route every day and she would help kids with homework and listen to them tell about their school day. One day the bus driver told her that he had not written a single disciplinary slip since she began riding.

She was excited about the connection she had made with her neighborhood kids. Every week at her bridge club and Sunday school class she would telling the other retired ladies about her experiences on the bus. Within months there were over a half dozen other retirees riding busses in other sections of town! Each month another bus stop or two were adopted by a neighborhood retiree. Word spread from the teachers to the Superintendent who took note that since these volunteer bus riders started, school attendance was dramatically improved, grades went up and it was very rare to see a detention or suspension among kids who rode the bus.

A school was revolutionized by a simple act of courage and kindness by a retired lady who saw an opportunity and loved to bake.

PS - If you live near Illinois, contact their Asset Coalition to see how you can get involved - they're doing great work!

Have you Heard it Yet? "I'm Bored!"

2010-06-07T10:16:00.000-07:00

The dreaded words for every youth worker or parent!

Parent Further has published a post to equip you with an answer to prevent hearing those words and help you respond with meaningful activities. Check it out here.

Preschool Science: Learning at the Park!

2010-06-04T09:30:00.000-07:00

This Education.com article is full of easy ideas to get your kids excited about science. http://www.education.com/magazine/article/preschool-science-park/?cid=90.002

Building the "Commitment to Learning" Asset starts with making learning relevant and fun!

True Success - The Opening of Our Principal's Graduation Speech Today

2010-06-01T09:30:00.000-07:00

What is Success?

To laugh often and much;

To win the respect of intelligent people

and the affection of children;

To earn the appreciation of honest critics

and endure the betrayal of false friends;

To appreciate beauty;

To find the best in others;

To leave the world a bit better, whether by

a healthy child, a garden patch

or a redeemed social condition;

To know even one life has breathed

easier because you have lived;

This is to have succeeded.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Healthy Living Grant for nutrition/fitness project

2010-05-29T09:00:00.000-07:00

Here is a funding opportunity for a nutrition/fitness project/activity. Only eligible for small non-profits with budgets of less than $500,000 that are working with at-risk kids 2-21.

Thanks to Candy Markman for sharing this opportunity!

Student Video Challenge Promotes Healthy Schools

2010-05-28T09:30:00.000-07:00

Is your school making healthy changes? The Alliance for a Healthier Generation wants to hear about it!

They are inviting YOU to submit a short video sharing what your school is doing to get students eating healthier and moving more. Pick up a camera, gather your friends and share with us the healthy changes your school has made.

You could win up to $5000 for your school and a trip to NYC!

Find out more: http://www.healthiergeneration.org/schools.aspx

BE BIG IN YOUR COMMUNITY - CONTEST ENTRY FORM

2010-05-26T10:35:00.000-07:00

YOUR BIG IDEA COULD WIN A $25,000 GRANT!

If you have a BIG Idea that demonstrates Clifford’s BIG IDEAS and helps make your community a better place, tell us! The BE BIG Fund will help bring the winning BIG idea to life with help from Clifford and our friends at HandsOn Network.

Clifford’s Big Ideas!

Share * Play Fair * Have Respect
Work Together * Be Responsible
Be Truthful * Be Kind * Believe In Yourself
Be a Good Friend * Help Others
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

BIG Awards! One (1) Grand Prize honoree, Ten (10) first place honorees and Nineteen (19) second place honorees will be selected. The grand prize entry will be honored with a $25,000 community grant, the first place honorees will each be honored with a $2,500 community grant and the second place honorees will each be honored with a $1,315.79 community grant (via HandsOn Network affiliate organizations or designees) from the BE BIG Fund to be used towards implementing the winning proposals.

Deadline for entry: June 30, 2010

Celebrate with Pictures!

2010-05-24T18:54:00.000-07:00

Youth groups, classes, families and other groups love to celebrate seasons with pictures. SeeHere is having a great sale through Wednesday: Mini-Photo Books $2.50 + FREE Shipping

Celebrating milestones is a great way to build the Developmental Assets of Positive Identity and Support!

Thanks to Faithful Provisions for sharing this link!

Youth Civic Engagement Grant - Notice of Funding Opportunity

2010-05-24T09:30:00.000-07:00

From the Volunteer Tennessee newsletter:

Volunteer Tennessee announces the availability of approximately $75,000 in new grant funding for Youth Civic Engagement programs. Public and private non-profit, governmental and faith-based agencies are eligible to apply.

Funded Youth Civic Engagement Grant programs, subject to 50% non-federal cash or in-kind match, will assist in implementing the state service plan, recruiting of volunteers for service-learning projects, and the developing of projects, training and technical assistance for national and community service. Volunteer Tennessee calls for proposals from non-profits and local and state government agencies that will use service-learning to carry out these responsibilities in local communities in Tennessee.

Jim Snell, executive director of Volunteer Tennessee, explained that local agencies committed to using service-learning to meet community needs are encouraged to apply.

“Service-learning is a fantastic way to maximize an agency’s ability to provide needed services to others,” Snell said. “By engaging youth in problem solving in communities across the state, programs will be able to meet some of our most challenging issues in innovative ways.”

To view the Youth Civic Engagement Grant Notice of Funding Availability and Application Instructions, please visit www.volunteertennessee.net.

My Idea grants program

2010-05-21T09:00:00.000-07:00

With nearly one in three students not finishing high school on time, America’s Promise Alliance (the Alliance) and AT&T are looking for the energy, enthusiasm, creativity and commitment to help make this country a Grad Nation through the My Idea grants program. “My Idea,” will empower high school-aged young people to examine the dropout crisis and take action to help more of their peers to graduate on time.

National grants of $10,000-$20,000 will be awarded to 20 – 25 youth for the best ideas submitted to help increase their community’s graduation rate. Additional opportunities are available for young people living in Chicago, Houston, Indianapolis, Jackson, Louisville, Nashville, New York, New Orleans, Oakland, and Washington, D.C with grants of $500-$1500 to support targeted local projects.

Help a young person, or group of young people, make a lasting difference in their community by forwarding this email to your affiliates and ask that they help spread the word. Other promotional materials (template newsletter articles, email templates, etc.) can be accessed by clicking this link.

The application and more information is available at http:// www.americaspromise.org/myideagrants.

Deadline: June 11, 2010.

Pondering Character and Destiny

2010-05-21T04:24:00.000-07:00

I love this quote that I stumbled upon long ago...

Sow a thought, reap an action.
Sow an action, reap a habit.
Sow a habit, reap a character.
Sow a character, reap a destiny!

Reflecting on this quote with young people creates a great opportunity to talk about several asset categories, including Positive Values, Empowerment, Social Competencies, Boundaries & Expectations and Positive Identity. Take time to laugh & bond with youth, but be brave enough to talk about the hard things, the life-changing things, as well!

Celebrate at Sonic!

2010-05-19T18:33:00.000-07:00

Surely you can find something fun to celebrate this month! A great baseball season, perfect attendance, honor roll, a wedding, end of school, an anniversary...

Sonic is offering buy-one-get-one-free shakes anytime (no coupon required) through June 27.

They are also offering single-topping sundaes for 99 cents after 8 p.m. from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
And there's always Sonic Happy Hour, where drinks are 1/2 off!

Raving Reviews of Building Character from the Start

2010-05-17T08:36:00.000-07:00

Cathi MacRae just wrote a raving review of our new book in Youth Today, the premier newspaper for youth workers. Hooray!!

---
Building Character from the Start: 201 Activities to Foster Creativity, Literacy, and Play in K-3
by Susan Ragsdale and Ann Saylor
151 pages. $29.95 paperback with CD.

Applying youth development strategies to children from kindergarten through third grade, this collection offers activities that foster creative arts, reading and writing, movement and other forms of play in which children absorb such life skills as conflict resolution and responsibility. Each activity builds one or more developmental assets.

“Tools of imagination” are organized in three units:

• Forty reproducible worksheets encourage artistic expression with unfinished pictures. For example, children fill a blank comic balloon above a laughing boy’s head with a picture of “something that makes your family laugh.”

• More than 90 books are recommended in sections for grades K-1 and 2-3, with story summaries, discussion questions and activities. After reading Yoko by Rosemary Wells, in which Yoko’s lunchbox sushi makes her classmates laugh, children try new foods, along with the story’s characters.

• More than 70 games organized in 11 types, from community building to word games, including Olympics games like “Disk Throw” with paper plates and Artsy Games like “Human Band.”

In settings from Boys & Girls Clubs to babysitting, camps, church groups, after-school programs and classrooms, leaders can use these lively activities to help children explore values that shape character – while they’re having fun. (800) 888-7828, http://www.search-institute.org.

Resources for Adults Working with Teens

2010-05-14T09:30:00.000-07:00

On Point has put together a great list of articles that help adults understand and nurture teens. The collection of resources was actually designed for parents, but there are many articles applicable to youth workers and educators as well. Here's a sampling of the titles you'll find:

1. Helping Your Child Dream Big

2. Teenage Stress
3. Identifying Signs of Teen Depression
4. Sexting: Technology Adds New Risk
5. Dating Violence: Protect Your Child from Abuse
6. Fresh Starts: Building Your Teen's Resiliency
7. Shifting Our Focus from Problems to Strengths
8. Teens: Hardwired to Connect
9. Mean Girls
10. Big Dreams Into Big Vision

Find more at http://www.liveonpoint.org/.

So You Want to Be A Writer

2010-05-10T09:30:00.000-07:00

This is a great blog post for anyone who is interested in writing as a hobby or a career. It's simple enough to share with a high school student, but applicable to adults as well.

Kids on the Block

2010-05-07T09:30:00.000-07:00

Kids on the Block offers a series of age-appropriate and interactive programs for students in grades K-6. I've included information on their Nashville program, but you can also explore programs offered in your area at their national site.

Sticks and Stones (Kindergarten - 25 minutes) - This program was developed for younger audiences to educate, as well as hold their attention. The presentation is a short puppet show on teasing and name-calling followed by a visual and interactive session between the puppeteers and children dealing with how painful anf unforgettable bullying can be.

Problem Solving (1st grade - 25 minutes) - This program features two friends who are fighting over who actually owns a video that they purchased together. With the help of an older brother and the audience, the characters are able to figure out a solution by using the problem-solving process. The program helps children understand there are many ways to solve a problem. It also teaches a simple technique to calm down and get control so that they can make smart and safe decisions.

Divorce (1st or 2nd grade) - From a child's perspective, this program is about an 11 year old girl whose parents have recently divorced. She talks about all of her feelings with her friend as well as with her mother. She's even able to talk to her mother about feeling caught in the middle.

Awareness of Differences (2nd grade) - The goal of this program is to promote understanding and acceptance of every individual regardless of their differences. The presentation shows that everyone is different. It teaches children to embrace differences rather than to bully someone because of them. This presentation includes visual differences such as cerebral palsy, blindness and deafness. New in 2009, KOB is now offering a program on Autism as an alternative to one of the other 3 subjects currently presented.

Awareness of Differences (3rd grade) - This program deals with differences of all kinds: medical, mental, cultural, and physical.
Child Abuse Prevention (3rd grade) - This program empowers students to identify child abuse and neglect, to learn what to do in an abusive situation, and to learn how to say "No!" It also provides guidance and emotional support to children who have been abused.

Growing Up Healthy (3rd or 4th grade) - This topic was developed to educate children about the relationship between food and physical movement; and how they affect weight and health. The program promotes sensitivity, understanding and acceptance of differences in all body types.

Gift of Life (4th grade) - This program explains organ and tissue donation and discusses coping with death in a family. It identifies the stages of grieving letting children know it is alright to talk about their feelings.

Bullying Prevention (4th grade) - The focus of this presenation is conflict resolution and problem solving. This educational curriculum has been designed to explain and define bullying, introduce problem solving techniques, and encourage children to talk about their feelings as well as voice their concerns in unjust situations. The program challenges bystanders to speak up for their fellow classmates.

Prejudice Prevention (5th grade) - Prevention of stereotyping and prejudice is the focus of this program. The curriculum is designed to increase awareness and acceptance of human similarities and differences, encourage students to reject unacceptable bullying behavior in others, and suggest ways for students to work together to stop bullying and prejudice.

HIV/AIDS Prevention (5th grade) - This abstinence-based program includes a description of the disease, defines high risk behaviors including drug and alcohol use, discusses myths about the spread of AIDS, describes values and choices, and demonstrates compassion for a person who is dying.

Teen Pregnancy and Substance Abuse Prevention (6th grade) - This is an abstinence-based program teaching that sex is a responsible adult choice. The presentation educates students on substance abuse and how a person who is using drugs could make choices that they wouldn't normally make. It introduces students to critical thinking, problem solving, and negotiation skills.

Research on Recess: The State of Play

2010-05-03T12:11:00.000-07:00

When most people talk about how to improve education, they tend to focus only on what happens in the classroom. But a new Gallup poll of elementary school principals suggests that the most unexpected opportunity to boost learning may exist outside on the playground at recess.

Key findings from the survey include:
• Four out of five principals report that recess has a positive impact on academic achievement.
• Two-thirds of principals report that students listen better after recess and are more focused in class.
• Virtually all believe that recess has a positive impact on children’s social development (96 percent) and general well-being (97 percent).

Read the full survey here and an article about the survey here.

Building Character Through Athletics

2010-04-30T09:00:00.000-07:00

Are you searching for ways to build character through your athletic programs? If so, consider reading "Pursuing Victory With Honor: Arizona Sports Summit Accord Implementation Strategies". It's a PDF document filled with strategies for building character through athletic programming.

Habitat for Humanity State Farm Service-Learning Partnership Grants

2010-04-27T09:30:00.000-07:00

Service-Learning Partnership grants provide funds for teachers and schools to develop and implement service-learning projects in partnership with their local Habitat affiliate. For the 2010-2011 school year, teachers and local Habitat affiliates can jointly apply for a one-year grant to cover educational expenses associated with the service-learning project. Maximum Grant: $7,000. Deadline: May 15, 2010. http://www.habitat.org/youthprograms/parent_teacher_leader/grants.aspx

Thanks to Melia for sharing this grant opportunity with us!

Free Resource for Teaching Cooking to Your Students

2010-04-26T11:25:00.000-07:00

Jackie Contreras (615-862-5995) with the TSU Cooperative Extension does a great job of teaching cooking in afterschool programs. She has a grant that allows her to do this without a fee AND she brings food with her!

Learning about nutrition is among proven “best practices” for out of school time programs, along with serving nutritious snacks. For more information, read this article: Research-Based Recommendations to Improve Child Nutrition in Schools and Out-of-School Time Programs

Puzzles!

2010-04-23T09:00:00.000-07:00

I love word puzzles and riddlers. I still remember teachers and youth workers using them as kick-offs and icebreakers for meeting times. They engage brains and call attention to the group's purpose - and they inspire a commitment to learning. Here's a great site full of puzzlers:

Online Word Game = Donations to Charity

2010-04-21T09:00:00.000-07:00

Play a crossword-like multiple choice word game at http://www.charitii.com/ and donate money to charity for each question you answer correctly. You get to choose the charity for your donations - see the list here.

**This builds the Commitment to Learning Assets**

Inspiring Readers

2010-04-19T09:00:00.000-07:00

Looking for tips to inspire your preteens to read more? Check out this article:
"Is Your Middle Schooler a Reluctant Reader?" by Renee Kirchner. She offers easy and practical ideas, and read on into the comment section to find even more ideas!

**Did you know that "Reading for Pleasure" is one of the 40 Developmental Assets proven to hlep kids thrive?**

Youth Leadership at the Big Tent Conference

2010-04-16T09:30:00.000-07:00

Do you know a young person who's interested in helping shape the future of the Big Tent conference? They are currently seeking youth (ages 14-21) to serve on our National Youth Advisory Panel. The Panel’s role is to assist and provide input to the Youth Involvement Committee on

providing opportunities for youth to gather and build relationships with adults and other youth;
providing opportunities for youth to share their experiences and engage in asset-building activities;
providing opportunities for youth to learn outside of learning sessions and to take learning from the conference back to their home communities.

For more information, go to www.BigTentConference.com/nyp.

Y-I Love Myself Youth Health Summit

2010-04-15T11:54:00.000-07:00

Corey Burton at the YMCA of Middle Tennessee planned this educational event for Valentine's Day, so it's titled with a love theme. It's a very creative and active way to engage youth around health and wellness, so we thought you'd like to see their agenda. The ideas could easily be adapted for a classroom or an after-school activity period.
Health Department “Nashville Moves”=> A special guest talked about small things youth can do to make large impacts on their health and well being. In addition, he spoke to them about youth obesity and how it effects them not only physically but mentally in the areas of confidence etc.

“Get in where you fit in.” => Corey Burton led this portion of the event, and at this session, they led the youth through a “Spin Class,” and took them on a tour of our facility. They gave youth pedometers before the tour, and talked to them about needing to live more active lives, and the purpose of the tour and the pedometers was to show how easy it is to log steps and to walk off calories etc.

Nutrition Plannery=> We had an individual from Second Harvest that showed our youth how to make Parfaits. They loved this exercise. She provided the yogurt, granola, and a number of fruit options and showed them how to make these. In addition, she spoke to them about nutrition; showing them the impact of not living active lives with nutrition being an integral part of their diets.

Lunch=> “Lettuce Eat” At this, we provided youth with lunch. The only option was the salad, which we provided all the essentials to dressing up the salads. We had baked chicken, various healthier dressings, and other veggies that you could put in the salads. Going off of the fact that we left the event with no leftovers, we believe that the youth enjoyed the healthy lunch.

Vision Board=> All of the youth went through the vision board exercise. This exercise was aimed at encouraging youth to think about, plan for, and envision his/her future. We all know that this sort of preparation and thought helps bring these goals and dreams a reality.

Incorporating Technology Into Out-Of-School Time Programs

2010-04-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

From ChildTrends

Technology and technologically-based learning environments are extending student learning beyond the conventional classroom. A new Child Trends brief, Incorporating Technology Into Out-Of-School Time Programs, draws on results from research and from practitioners' insights to outline the benefits, challenges, and strategies associated with using technology in out-of-school time programs. Among the uses of technology found to be especially beneficial in out-of-school programs:

Computer-based reading intervention programs have been used to successfully supplement children's in-class reading and build comprehension.

Program participants can use computer-based programs to follow developments over time, whether it is how plants are growing or how a community service project is progressing.

Video technology can involve program participants in the exploration of their world through filmmaking, digital artwork, and online instruction.

The brief also provides additional resources for programs interested in incorporating technology into their activities and profiles a technology-based out-of-school time program.

Free Resources: Discovery Education's Spring Virtual Conference

2010-04-13T11:41:00.000-07:00

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Conference theme: Connect the Thoughts. The free professional development seminars will focus on providing attendees the skills and techniques they need to connect digital content and educational technology in a fashion that maximizes each resource and improves student engagement, according to the announcement.The sessions will be delivered via webcast to conference attendees. In addition to attending the Virtual Conference online, participants have the opportunity to attend in-person regional events hosted by the DEN Leadership Councils. Those attending in-person gatherings will participate in the online presentations, as well as breakout sessions presented by local STAR Discovery Educators.

For a detailed agenda, click here.
Read the complete press release here.

Social Innovation Fellows

2010-04-12T05:22:00.000-07:00

Want to see a list of young adults that are doing really cool stuff around the world? These are people dedicating their lives to social change. The fellows website describes them as "high potential change agents from around the world who are working on highly disruptive innovations in areas like healthcare, energy, development, climate, education, and civic engagement ." They are using technology to create stronger communities around the world.

Be inspired and use their stories to inspire people around you. http://www.poptech.org/class2009

2010-04-08T11:43:00.000-07:00

Our team will be presenting 3 workshops at the TCAC Resident Initiatives Program in Pigeon Forge next month. The conference is titled “Leadership: The Missing Link”. This leadership training opportunity is specifically coordinated to address the unique issues and challenges faced by housing advocates, volunteers, resident leaders, and resident services staff serving in public housing communities across the country. Topics will include Project Planning, Conflict Mediation, Health & Wellness, Developing Partnerships and more. More information is available at www.tcac1.org by clicking on the "Programs" tab and then clicking "Resident Initiatives".

If you need more incentive, the registration includes lodging at one of the indoor/outdoor waterparks in the beautiful Smoky Mountains. So you can enjoy a family vacation combined with a professional development opportunity! Learning, networking, laughter, and relaxation all rolled together into one great conference!

Helpful Hints in Dealing With Different Areas Of Conflict

2010-04-07T09:00:00.000-07:00

Some people seem to thrive on conflict, but not me! Conflict truly makes me feel like a fish out of water. But it's a part of life in the real world, so I was grateful to find these tips on dealing with conflict. They come from the website of one of our partnering organizations - Tennessee's Community Assistance Corporation.

Teamwork - How To Deal With Conflict
Reacting To Difficult Types of People
If You Must Criticize Someone

Do you have other favorite resources for teaching adults and youth how to deal with conflict? We'd love to learn from you!

Great Book for Teens and Preteens - and Anyone Who Works with Them.

2010-04-06T09:00:00.000-07:00

I read "Do Hard Things" last week, and zoomed through it with hungry eyes. Written by 2 teenagers, it's a look at how young people can do great things and make a huge impact on the world.

It empowers youth to lead with an energy unlike anything I've ever read. It inspires youth to be their best and give their best to important causes. It pushes youth to ponder and pursue their dreams. It invites youth to rally together to shut down teen apathy or indifference, and set a standard for this generation and beyond.

As I finished the book, I wanted to put this tool in the hands of every youth worker and educator I know, so they can get it into the hearts/minds of every teenager they know. It's that good!

It is written from a faith-based perspective, so it's a perfect fit for faith-based schools and youth groups. If you do not work with a faith-based group, you should still take a look at the resource, because you can still use the ideas, principles and stories.

Happy reading!

Ann

Creating a Culture of Wellness in Schools

2010-04-05T09:00:00.000-07:00

Two Nashville schools are piloting a project to promote health and wellness. The "Live It! Go For the Red, White and Blue" project is sponsored by Vanderbilt Children's Hospital, Glencliff High School and Wright Middle School.

According to the article in the Tennessean, their objectives are to increase healthy food choices, physical activity and community partnerships. They want to increase knowledge of health/nutrition and encourage families and staff members to adopt healthier habits that will lead to improved health.

Here are some of their project highlights:

• Teachers included 73 healthy lessons in their curricula with the help of 27 community agencies. • Students and staff increased their physical activity by logging 10,000 steps a day — 42,915,374,646 total steps.
• Students increased their fruits and vegetables to five servings of each daily, logging 12,320 servings of fruit, 100 percent fruit juice and vegetables.
• Teachers and staff served as examples to their students by joining a "biggest loser" weight-loss competition. Seventy-four participants tallied a weight loss of 507 pounds.

Lisa Beck is co-chairwoman of Alignment Nashville's Healthy Eating and Active Living Committee and vice president of the YMCA of Middle Tennessee. She is working with other community partners to create a sustainable model of health and wellness education to use throughout Nashville schools. If you want to get involved in this initiative, visit
www.alignmentnashville.org.

Six Flags Friends Scholarships

2010-04-02T11:11:00.000-07:00

DoSomething.org has teamed up with Six Flags Friends to award six $1500 college scholarships to young leaders who are taking action to make their community a better place. Scholarships will be awarded based on past, current and planned action in the community as well as the applicant’s passion, commitment and proven leadership skills.

Winners will be selected based on past, current and planned action in their community (local and/or globally) as well as the applicant's passion, commitment and proven leadership skills.

The application deadline is April 30.

Read more at http://www.dosomething.org/grants/sixflags/scholarships

"Igniting the Hidden Strengths of Young People" Symposium

2010-04-01T13:08:00.000-07:00

April 21, 2010
8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Trevecca Nazarene University's Boone Center in Nashville, Tennessee
cost: $8 per person (includes lunch)

Learn what SPARKS are and why they matter as Mary Ackerman, Director of External Affairs from Search Institute, shares key findings from their latest research on awakening the spark that lives inside each and every young person.

Participants will explore the power of youth being able to name their SPARK, identify adults who support them, what we can do to promote opportunities for youth to practice sparks, and the role sparks play in giving youth their voice. Attendees will also engage in SPARK conversations and delve more deeply into the practicalities of putting SPARKS to work across Nashville.

“When kids can name a spark, every outcome you and I care about changes dramatically” - Peter Benson, President & CEO of Search Institute

For Registration information, click here.

Sponsors & Partners:
J.V. Morsch Center for Social Justice
YMCA Center for Asset Development
OJJDP
Oasis Center
STARS
YLLC

"Hip Hop in The City" April 15.

2010-04-01T11:31:00.000-07:00

The Tennessee State University Cooperative Extension Program will provide a platform for youth to discuss issues such as peer pressure, decision-making, abstinence and HIV/AIDS at its youth summit on April 15th. The summit, titled "Hip Hop in the City," will target middle school students between the ages of 11 and 14.

"We are really trying to highlight the power of choice" said Dr. Javiette Samuel, Extension Assistant Professor of 4-H and Youth Development with the TSU Cooperative Extension Program. "Youth are faced with so many different images on T.V. and in music. So much of what they see and hear is laced with sexual content whether it be overt or the undertone of songs and videos."

Activities scheduled for this year's summit will include a play about relationships and abstinence directed by Roderick "The Motivator" Glover called "The Power of Choices." In addition, "Crazy,Sexy,Cool" a workshop about the effects of hip hop music on adolescents, will be conducted by Promising Futures, a youth empowerment and health education program that provides educational programs for adolescents and young adults.

"We are targeting young people in and around North Nashville and marketing this summit to youth agencies such as Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCAs and after school programs as well as churches and schools since it’s a Metro In-service day and kids do not report." Samuel added, "Even though it is open to the entire county, we want to pay particular attention to the communities that surround Tennessee State University."

Reprinted from this site.
Keith Benion, President of the Board at the Village Cultural Arts Center and a member of the steering committee for Hip Hop in the City, says a summit of this nature is vital to the community. "The summit will allow youth to get a life history of the things that affect them for the rest of their lives and also educate them about the types of distractions that are out there to prevent them from being the best that they can be," he said.

Registration for "Hip Hop in the City" will begin at 9:30 a.m. The activities will last from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. The committee is expecting between 150 and 200 participants. Lunch will be provided for the youth, and they will also take a tour of the TSU campus. "Even though the primary goal is to discuss some of the issues that young people face, the secondary goal is to introduce them to the higher education setting," said Samuel. "We want them to see college as an option. We want them to think about what they are seeing and listening to and how that affects their growth and development—their mental and physical health."

Parents, churches, and youth organizations interested in having youth participate in Hip Hop in the City should contact Javiette Samuel for pre-registration information at (615) 963-7885 or by e-mail at jsamuel1@tnstate.edu. The pre-registration deadline is April 1.

Free Professional Development Opportunities for April 2010

2010-03-30T11:19:00.000-07:00

Sponsored by Nashville After Zone Alliance (NAZA)

Location: Downtown YMCA in Nashville, TN

Register: NAZA staff: use the ERO for registration. Non NAZA staff: Contact Shai to register: 259.9672 or mailto:orsrasmussen@midtn.org. Priority will be given to NAZA partners, so register quickly!

Tuesday April 6th
Service Learning
Susan Ragsdale/Ann Saylor
10-12noon
Learn interactive tools for helping youth discover their passions and purpose and key strategies for planning meaningful interactive projects.

Wednesday, April 7th
Youth Engagement
Louisa Avery
10-12noon
Learn strategies on implementing youth voice, choice, planning and reflection.

Friday, April 9th (back-to-back trainings)
Youth Interaction
Louisa Avery
1:30-3:30 p.m.
Build community, belonging and techniques for creating youth interaction.

Great Group Games: Building Relationships
Susan Ragsdale
3:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Learn “play with purpose” game strategies to further build relationships and a sense of team within your group.

Tuesday, April 13th:
Introduction to Positive Youth Development for Volunteers
Susan Ragsdale & Louisa Avery
5:30-7:30pm
Volunteers will explore the 5 principles, adolescent development and the 40 assets.

Thursday, April 15th
Introduction to the 40 Developmental Assets
Ann Saylor
10-12noon
Learn strategies to intentionally build the 40 assets into your programs and introduce them to your youth.

Questions? Contact: louisa@louisaavery.com or susan@theassetedge.net

Another Book Review for Building Character from the Start

2010-03-29T15:29:00.000-07:00

The Canadian Mommy blogger Northern Mama just reviewed our book, Building Character from the Start: 201 Activities to Foster Creativity, Literacy and Play in K-3. You can read the review here, but here are some highlights:

"A perfect foundation for Character education or as an addition to a pre-existing Character building Curriculum. Building Character from the Start offers some fabulous worksheets but what impressed me most about this teacher resource is the section dedicated to literacy related activities. A great deal of time has been spent finding children’s literature with character building themes and creating discussion questions to stimulate conversation and then further exploration activities based on the stories. ...

Community building games and hands on activities are another fabulous feature of this resource and can easily be applied to other units and can be used as valuable time fillers for substitute teachers like myself . I actually have included this book in my subbing kit and used it just last week as an add on to a teaching plan about decision making and choices.

Well organized in a way which allows you to easily see the connections between assets and themes for fast and effective planning I would certainly recommend this to elementary school teachers and homeschoolers."

Teaching Friendship Skills

2010-03-26T09:00:00.000-07:00

My friend Julie volunteers as a Girl Scout Troop Leader. She just shared a great idea for teaching children about friendship skills.

She gave the girls construction paper and markers and asked them to decorate a heart. She let the girls spend a bit of time decorating, so they grew attached to their artwork. Then she told everyone to crumple their work into a ball. The girls were very sad, but with a little encouragement they followed Julie's direction. Then Julie told the girls to uncrumple their hearts, and smooth out the pictures. She asked the girls:

What did you think about your hearts before you crumpled them?
How easy was it to crumple them?
How easy was it to uncrumple them?
How did the pictures change from the crumpling?

This activity parallels our hearts and our friendships. It's so easy to 'crumple' a friendship by saying unkind words or taking thoughtless actions. It only takes a few minutes, and sometimes it doesn't feel like a big deal to hurt someone in a small way.

But 'uncrumpling' or restoring a friendship is never easy. You can say "I'm sorry" and try to make ammends, but the unkindness makes a lasting mark on our hearts and our friendships. Rebuilding trust is very difficult to do.

What can you do to protect your friendships? How can you guard your words and your actions to avoid hurting the people around you? Make a pledge to do those things today - remember the power of your actions to bless or hurt those around you.

Music and Film Competitions for Youth

2010-03-24T11:54:00.000-07:00

Do Something Battle of the Bands Deadline: April 16, 2010

March is Music In Our Schools month. DoSomething.org and the VH1 Save The Music Foundation want YOU to lead the fight to keep music education in schools. School budgets are being slashed nationwide, and music and arts programs are often the first to go. Starting March 1st, upload a video showing us your musical talent and tell us why music education matters to you. 5 Winners will get $1000 for their school music program, concert tickets, Fender guitars, and Rock Band video games. DoSomething.org and The VH1 Save the Music Foundation will present top videos to members of congress, urging them to increase support for music education. Make sure your video is registered by April 16th for a chance to win!

Learn more at: http://www.dosomething.org/bands

Film Your Issue 2010 Competition Deadline: April 19, 2010

Think you have a solution to problems with the environment, economic recession, education, healthcare, human/equal rights, national security/defense, poverty, public service or technology? Film Your Issue at www.youtube.com/filmyourissue or submit it through a song at www.youtube.com/whatsyourissuemusic. The Film Your Issue competition, in its 5th year, is looking for solution-project ideas to front-burner issues from young adults 14 to 24 in a 3-minute video format, with accompanying one-sheet description. Winning solution-projects will be presented to senior officials in the Obama administration, broadcast on screens in every Best Buy store on the planet, presented at a VIP reception in Washington, DC. Winners will be flown to Los Angeles for the Awards ceremony co-hosted by Sony Pictures Studios. Prizes include an Apple MacBook and iPod Touches, and Sundance Film Festival 2011 Film School Pass.

Learn more at: http://www.whatsyourissue.tv

We found these and many other grants/awards at http://www.whatkidscando.org/Shout_Outs/index.html

Creating Games that Promote Health & Wellness

2010-03-24T09:00:00.000-07:00

Want a great service-learning project, competition or activity for a computer class, a nutrition class or an after-school program?

The "Apps for Kids" program at the USDA is seeking innovative and creative tools and games to deliver nutrition and health concepts in a fun and engaging way.

They are offering $40,000 in prizes to create fun and engaging software tools and games that encourage children directly or through their parents to make more nutritious food choices and be more physically active.

Contest ends June 30, 2010.

Find out more at www.appsforhealthykids.com.

Easter Eggs - Lessons Learned

2010-03-23T08:46:00.000-07:00

Have you ever thought about the concepts a child can learn from coloring eggs? In addition to building the assets of creative activities and support, you can also use it to build a commitment to learning. Here are some quick lessons I thought about, and I'm sure you'll have more ideas!

•Science: temperature for boiling, bacterial precautions, chemical reactions, nutritional values

•Art: wax art, shrink wraps, layering colors, color wheel, cutting out the ‘egg holders’ on the cardboard boxes

•History: why eggs (I haven’t studied this!), why color eggs?, when did the tradition start?, other Easter traditions

•Math: cost of eggs and supplies, color density in relation to time in the dye, counting as you leave the eggs in the dye, following recipes that use boiled eggs

•Spelling: writing the child’s name, Happy Easter, Jesus Lives, or other phrases on the eggs

•Reading: reading the directions for boiling or decorating eggs

A Special Invitation For You

2010-03-20T09:00:00.000-07:00

Youth Worker Symposium - "Igniting the Hidden Strengths of Young People"
April 21, 2010
8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Trevecca Nazarene University Boone Center
Nashville, Tennessee

Guest Speaker: Mary Ackerman, Director of External Relations, Special Assistant to the President, from Search Institute will educate and motivate us all with the latest research on what helps youth thrive.

SPARKS Matter

Learn what SPARKS are and why they matter as Mary Ackerman from Search Institute shares key findings from the institute's latest research on thriving youth. A short introduction to the Developmental Assets will serve as an entry to the goal of understanding strength-based human development as demonstrated by SPARKS. Participants will explore the power of youth being able to name their spark, identify adults who support them, the importance of providing opportunities for youth to practice sparks, and the role sparks play in giving youth their voice.

In the afternoon, symposium attendees will engage in SPARK conversations and delve more deeply into the practicalities of putting SPARKS information to work within program activities, engaging parents as partners, and more! Search Institute says, “This is probably the most practical tool we have for youth workers. . . . Spark conversations and engagement start the process for strong relationships that lead to development of the assets.”

Contact Susan Ragsdale with any questions at 262.9676. Share this invitation with friends and colleagues.

The Importance of Play

2010-03-20T05:43:00.000-07:00

Written by Rachel Davis
(reprinted from the NAAEYC newsletter, March 2010)

With so much pressure put on the teachers in an early childhood
Pre-K classroom to have the children “ready” for kindergarten,
some parents are likely to criticize the amount of time their children
spend playing each day. Some might ask; “Why are they
playing so much? Shouldn’t they be learning?” As early childhood
educators it is our job to enlighten the parents, and (in
some instances) other professionals in the field, on the importance
of play in the classroom. Children learn an abundance of
skills through simple play experiences. Both free play and
teacher directed activities are important to every child’s daily
schedule.

In the article, The Importance of Play in Child Development, by
Ellie Dixon, it states that “for a child…there is no more constructive
activity than play”. Dixon challenges us to think about play in
this way: children are powerless and small in their everyday
lives. They are constantly being told what to do and how to do it,
but when they play, they are “in charge”. Playing encourages
children to develop their socio-dramatic play skills as well as to
use more expressive language. When children are allowed to
use their imagination during play, their ideas and experiences
become more rich and meaningful. If a teacher places a prop box
in the dramatic play center and gives the children no specific
instruction on how the items are “supposed to be used”, the children
are forced to use their imaginations and own ideas to come
up with a pretend scenario. Each child is unique and brings his/
her own background knowledge and experiences to the group
and each child contributes differently. Therefore, if the teacher
stands back and lets the children take on the lead role during
play, the encounters become more important to them.

Play also helps children learn how to cooperate beside, and
eventually with, other children. Children do not start out knowing
how to play with their peers. They must have ample opportunities
to play beside other children in order to develop the skills
necessary to function in a small or large group setting. An article,
Old Fashioned Play Builds Serious Skills, by Alix Spiegel,
suggests that “time spent playing make-believe actually helped
children develop a critical cognitive skill called executive function.

Executive function has a number of different elements, but a
central one is the ability to self- regulate. Kids with good selfregulation
are able to control their emotions and behaviors, resist
impulses, and exert self-control and discipline.” For example, a
child who has just had a toy yanked from his hand by a peer may
have the initial urge to resort to physical aggression in order to
retrieve the toy, but being equipped with the proper learned behavioral
skills, he is able to control that urge and handle the
situation appropriately.

However, children do not need their peers at all times in order to
learn through play. Those engaged in solitary play are learning
too. For example, a child playing alone in the manipulative center
is being exposed to print, shapes, numbers, colors, patterns,
textures, sounds, etc. He may pick up a peg board and small
pegs and begin putting all of the red pegs classifying objects by
color, developing his fine motor control, and developing his attention
span, among other things. These are all necessary pre math
skills. In order for a child to learn abstract math skills, he or she
must first have these hands on concrete experiences. A child in
the book center is being exposed to different types of text, different
types of books, a variety of photos and colors, important
information, and is practicing the act of reading. All of these
things are laying the foundation for reading. In short, solitary play
is just as vital to a child’s development as group play.

Meaningful solitary and group play can take place in all areas of
the learning environment, including outdoors. Outdoor play lends
itself to a variety of learning experiences because children are
being exposed to sights, smells, sounds, and textures that are
often not found indoors. Children are allowed to engage in more
active physical play while outside, and in turn they are developing
their gross motor skills by running, jumping, hopping, throwing,
kicking, pedaling tricycles, climbing, swinging, digging, balancing,
pushing, pulling, etc. In the article, The Importance of Outdoor
Play, Dr. Anita Brit explains that even offering children the same
outdoor experiences that they would have indoors, teaches them
different skills. Dr. Brit uses the example: “Building with blocks on
an uneven surface outside, or playing with toy cars in the grass
teaches them about different textures, sounds, and smells because
the environment is naturally different from the indoors.”

Children need ample time each day to spend outdoors, if possible.
So, why so much play? By allowing children the freedom to explore,
we are allowing them to learn and build connections that set
the stage for skills needed later in life. Sitting children down and
drilling them with flashcards and dittos is not doing them any favors,
not to mention, rather boring! Children need to be able to do
what they do best: PLAY. Allow children to get messy and dirty
and use their hands to explore. Do more than just tell them, “Dirt
is dry and crumbly.” Let them put their hands in a bucket of dirt
and experience it first hand. Add digging tools, little treasures
such as rocks or shells, and even add water. While they’re elbow
deep in dirt and mud, get them talking about the dirt and help
them expand their vocabulary. Another example would be to expand
upon a statement like, “Ice is cold.” Try putting out bowls of
ice and allow the children to touch and manipulate it. Talk about
the ice being cold and watch what happens as it melts. For older
children, this would be a great transition to other in depth science
investigations. Children are naturally curious and will learn so
much more if they have had fun, meaningful, first hand experiences
with things relevant to the world around them.

Years ago, children were sent outdoors to play with very few
“things”. They were forced to use their imagination. A stick became
a bat, a rock became a ball, and random objects (trees,
posts, rags, etc) became the bases. Viola! They had a baseball
game. Nowadays children have high tech toys with specific uses,
and while some of these toys can be very educational, children
still need plenty of opportunities to play, roam, and explore
with the freedom that will encourage their imagination and
curiosity.

References:
Dixon, Ellie. October 25, 2009
“The Importance of Play in Child Development”. http://ezinearticles.com
Spiegel, Alix October 26, 2009
“Old Fashioned Play Builds Serious Skills”. www.npr.org
Brit, Anita Ph. D.October 26, 2009
“The Importance of Outdoor Play”. http://aplaceofourown.org

Strategy for Stress: Helping Parents Help Kids

2010-03-19T09:00:00.000-07:00

Amid evidence that parents often misread signs of stress in their children, the American Psychological Association has released two fact sheets: Identifying Signs of Stress in Your Children and Teens and Talking with Your Children about Stress.

The APA's 2009 Stress in America report showed that children worry about school, the future, money, and other challenges far more than their parents believe. Chronic stress can lead to psychological and physical health problems that undermine school success. For example, 44 percent of children report sleeping difficulties, yet only 13 percent of parents think their kids have trouble sleeping. One-fifth of children say they worry a great deal or a lot, but only 3 percent of parents rate their children's stress as extreme.

Reposted from the SEL Exchange published by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL).

Book Review

2010-03-17T09:30:00.000-07:00

Another Great Review on our latest book, Building Character from the Start:201 Activities to Foster Creavity, Literacy and Play in K-3:

Deirdre Smith, a retired teacher and educational technology trainer, reviewed Building Character on her parenting blog, JDaniel4's Mom.

As someone who taught primary aged children for twenty years, I found a lot of reason to love this book. You can open this book and start on an activity with very little preparation. The books include almost everything you would need. There alternative ways listed to complete activities. There is a wide variety of activities described. Each activity works on a particular set of character traits or what the author’s call assets.

The book is divided into three sections. The first is Finish the Pieces and Masterpiece Creations. It contains worksheet like pages with a coloring area and Let’s Talk Section. The Let’s Talk section offers questions you can ask a child about the picture they have created to fit the theme at the top of the page. The second section is Experience Books. It is my favorite section. Why? It takes wonderful children’s books and applies their lessons to everyday life. This section also contains a Let’s Talk section as well as an Explore More section. The Explore More section asks children to create or participate in activities that helps further put feet on the character trait you are working on. The final section is called Play and Move. This section is filled with games and activities to do with a class or group of children that will help them work on an aspect of their character. There are word games, team building, scavenger hunts, Olympic events, and more. There is also a Let’s Talk section with each activity.

You don’t have to be a classroom teacher or counselor to use and enjoy this book. A mom who wants to help her children be the best they can be would love it too.

Digital Skills for Youth Program

2010-03-15T09:00:00.000-07:00

I just read about a really cool summer youth program for business and technology. It is a great way to build the Commitment to Learning assets!

The Digital Skills for Youth Program is an initiative by Rochester Works in conjunction with New York State Wired Metrix E-Learning Program. Digital Skills for Youth provides technical certification for youth 16-21 years old. Youth become "Digitally Certified" by completing a rigorous self-directed on-line curriculum comprised of 10 courses focusing on soft skills/business etiquette and Microsoft applications while participating in a series of Rochesterworks special events. A few examples of the 10 core competencies gained are business etiquette, time management, listening skills, Microsoft applications, web site design and a paid summer internship.

Students will have the opportunity to gain valuable work experience while becoming technologically competent. County Executive Maggie Brooks and Rochesterworks will recognize youth who complete the program with a personalized Digital Skills for Youth Certificate.

To learn more about RochesterWorks! and our youth services, visit us on-line at www.rochesterworks.org

(Thanks Conor Cusack for sharing this great story!)

New Career Exploration Toolkit Available from America's Promise

2010-03-12T09:00:00.000-08:00

Through real-world experiences, students have opportunities to be exposed to new things, helping them appreciate the relevance of their schoolwork to their later lives. Whether you're a teacher, a businessperson or part of a youth-serving organization, you can play an important role in reversing the dropout crisis by helping students explore careers. Even if you've never undertaken a project like this before, this online guide will show you, step-by-step, how to put together a successful career exploration effort. http://www.americaspromise.org/Resources/CareerExplorationToolkit

What Works for Programs for Older Youth

2010-03-11T11:55:00.000-08:00

A new Child Trends fact sheet, What Works for Older Youth During the Transition to Adulthood, examines the role that programs for older youth can play in promoting positive development and subsequent self-sufficiency in adulthood. It synthesizes the findings from 31 rigorous evaluations of programs; all of the programs evaluated youth outcomes during the transition to adulthood (ages 18 to 25), but programs varied in the ages of targeted youth.

Among the findings:

Education and career programs can be effective, especially for low-income youth and for youth targeted from younger ages.
Specific intervention strategies, such as mentoring, case management, and providing child care for young parents, are associated with program success across youth outcomes.
Substance use and reproductive health programs have not consistently been found to be effective for this age group.

Reprinted from childtrends.org

3 Free Youth Development Workshops in Nashville

2010-03-11T11:50:00.000-08:00

Introduction to Positive Youth Development
March 27th, 9am-12noon, Downtown YMCA
Instructors: Susan Ragsdale and Louisa Avery
This 4 hour training is built around the 5 principles developed by the Nashville Positive Youth Development Coalition. Together we explore strategies and understandings that keep us on the cutting edge in professional youth work. This training is sponsored by NAZA.

Structure & Clear Limits and Reframing Conflict
March 25th, 10am-12noon , Downtown YMCA
Instructor: Louisa Avery
This training covers strategies to create safety in your program as well as introducing an approach to support youth in solving their conflicts. This training is a Youth Methods Workshop and sponsored by NAZA.

Introduction to the 40 Developmental Assets
March 30th, 10am-12noon , Downtown YMCA
Instructor: Susan Ragsdale
This training gives an overview of the 40 Developmental Assets and strategies for incorporating them into your programs. Sponsored by the YMCA Center for Asset Development through the Healthy Communities - Healthy Youth Initiative.

To register for any of these workshops call or email Shai Rasmussen at 615-259-9622 x 70138 or srasmussen@ymcamidtn.org.

Choosing Children's Activities

2010-03-10T09:00:00.000-08:00

MVParents just posted a thought-provoking article titled "Demanding Activities: When Are They Too Much?" Here are some excerpts of the article...

Whether your child is involved in sports, music, the arts, or another activity, there often comes a time when she finds herself involved in an activity that demands a great deal of time and money. In our “go-go-go” society, there are a growing number of activities that now require kids to give almost all of their free time to participate. How do you know when this is the right thing to do?

Consider these ideas:

Talk with your child about what’s important and what he wants to do. Some kids want to do ballet, debate, volunteering, or a musical group that requires intensive training and activity. Other kids don’t. Discuss these issues together.

As a family, talk about your values regarding success. Kids do better academically and socially, and behave in ways we value, when they have multiple interests instead of just one.

Talk about the value of pursuing a number of interests that your child gets excited about. For more information, visit www.ignitesparks.com.

If you want your child to be good at something, that pursuit will be demanding in terms of time. That’s true for all people. In order to master a skill, it takes time and practice.

Consider the pros and cons of kids doing demanding activities. Yale University child psychiatrist Dr. Kyle Pruett was interviewed on this subject through the Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network. You can listen to the audio episode on their Web site.

Know what you’re willing to invest financially in an activity. Talk to your child about this. It can be painful when she begins to enjoy and excel at an activity and you find that you’re required to shell out hundreds—if not thousands—of dollars. Ask about the financial aspects of an activity; not only for this season or this year, but in the coming years as well.

Click here to read the rest of the article, which outlines tips for specific age groups.

Book Review: Building Character from the Start

2010-03-09T09:00:00.000-08:00

Ms. Sarah at the blog Caiafa Craziness just posted a great review of our newest book, "Building Character From the Start: 201 Activities to Foster Creativity, Literacy and Play in K-3"

Here are some of the quotes that made me smile. You can read her entire review at the link above.

"This book totally rocks. My kids and I have been having so much fun. This book helps creativity, literacy and play. It is age ranged for children in kindergarten to 3rd grade. "

"I love that this book gets family discussions going. It also incorporates great lessons such as boundaries, responsibility and self esteem. It comes with a CD that you can recreate activity sheets and games. "

"I highly recommend this book if you have children that fit the age range. I say even some of the activities are good for the younger ones. I had a 2.5 year old doing the three wishes and the making up. He did just fine. "

New Asset-Building series for Kids

2010-03-08T09:00:00.000-08:00

I'm really excited to see this new set of books around the Developmental Assets.

A Leader's Guide to The Adding Assets Series for Kids Book with CD-ROM Activities and Strategies for Positive Youth Development by Ann Redpath, Pamela Espeland, and Elizabeth Verdick

This comprehensive, easy-to-use asset-building curriculum for grades 3-6 includes 42 sessions: one for each of the 40 assets, plus introductory and concluding sessions. Each session includes activities, discussion prompts, and a handout to bring home to parents and other family adults. For schools, districts, and states that have implemented standards-based education, a detailed chart shows how each session correlates with specific standards in the areas of character education, health, social studies, social and emotional learning, and language arts. The included CD-ROM features all of the reproducible forms from the book and an additional 40 pages of student handouts used in the sessions.

These are the books in the series:

People Who Care About You

Helping Out and Staying Safe
Doing and Being Your Best
Smart Ways to Spend Your Time
Loving to Learn
Knowing and Doing What’s Right
Making Choices and Making Friends
Proud to Be You
A Leader’s Guide to the Adding Assets Series for Kids

Scholarship Opportunities for Youth

2010-03-05T11:23:00.000-08:00

The Kohl's Kids Who Care Scholarship Program will award college scholarships of up to $9,000 to youth between the ages of 6 and 18 whose dedication to service has made a positive impact on others and their communities. Deadline: March 15, 2010.

Thanks to Conor Cusack for telling me about this!

Empowering Youth - Continuum of Youth Involvement

2010-03-05T10:27:00.000-08:00

Anderson Williams, Director of Consulting at the Oasis Center, has done some powerful work around giving youth voice in order to make lasting community changes. I just discovered his Continuum of Youth Involvement. It's a really good way to think about how adults invite youth to participate, vocalize their thoughts, lead, and direct projects and programs. It's a very eye-opening and easy-to-use scale!

Let's Get Physical: Being Active to Reverse Child Obesity

2010-03-04T09:00:00.000-08:00

An educational webinar sponsored by the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation

This webinar will highlight some of the recent progress in implementing local school wellness policies across the country and illustrate the positive health outcomes associated with these efforts. It will also offer strategies to help schools better integrate physical activity into the school day.

Date: Thursday, April 8, 2010
Time: 2 PM EDT
Duration: 1 hour

Find out more here.

Looking for youth leaders to inspire healthy living! (Alliance for a Healthier Generation Youth Advisory Board)

2010-03-03T09:00:00.000-08:00

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation is searching for a select group of young people to serve on our Youth Advisory Board (for 2010-2011) and roll up their sleeves for a few hours a month of critical thinking, engaging conversations, good fun, new friendships, and high-profile leadership. Applicants must be between the ages of 8 and 17 years old when membership begins July 2010 and live in the United States. Interested youth can visit empowerme2b.org for more information.

(info copied from the HCHY listserve)

News from Nashville's Mayor's Youth Council

2010-03-01T09:00:00.000-08:00

From the Mayor's Youth Council:

As you may know, Mayor Dean and a task force of over 50 local community, government, faith and nonprofit leaders have begun a 5-month process toward developing a citywide Child and Youth Master Plan. The Mayor and the entire task force (which includes several young people) are emphasizing the need to hear from our youth. The first step is the Youth Survey linked here http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZYXHKQ3 which was created by and is being supported and analyzed by the Mayor’s Youth Council.

Please share this survey with any and all young people you might be connected with so that we can ensure that their perspectives inform this important process. Hard copy surveys will also be distributed at schools to ensure a representative sample from the District and as well as private schools.

As an additional opportunity and a follow-up to the survey, the Mayor’s Youth Council will also be hosting the Mayor’s Youth Summit on March 26 which will further inform the Child and Youth Master Plan. Youth members of the Master Plan task force are also holding focus groups around town and in schools, a process being led by MLK student and chair of the task force, Jairus Cater.

Please keep an eye out for these opportunities in the next couple of weeks and help us set a new standard for how a city can work WITH its youth to create a new vision and new solutions for our city.

If you have questions, please direct them to the MYC adult support staff Lindsay Wilke: lwilke@oasiscenter.org

Center for Nonprofit Management March Training Schedule

2010-02-26T09:00:00.001-08:00

Media Relations for Nonprofit Professionals - March 2
New Media Strategies: Enhance Your Image, Identity & Impact - March 3
Sexual Molestation Prevention & Incident Training - March 5
Volunteer Program Management: Part 2 - March 18
Basics of Budgeting - March 24
Young Nonprofit Professionals - TopTips IdeaShare - March 24
How to Make the Ask- March 30
Introduction to Evaluation - March 31

For more information on any of these trainings, visit www.cnm.org or call 615.269.0100

New E-Book Release for K-3 Educators, Youth Workers and Parents

2010-02-24T09:00:00.000-08:00

Our 3rd book is now available electronically, so you can pick which version best fits your needs, or you can easily send it as a gift!

Building Character from the Start: 201 Activities to Foster Creativity, Literacy, and Play in K-3
$23.95

Grounded in the 40 Developmental Assets , a research-based framework for healthy child development, this inspirational activity book lets kids have fun while building new skills and character. Kids are prompted to finish a coloring page with their own ideas and dreams while synopses of nearly 100 books include follow-up questions and ideas for taking the book's lessons even further. Fun for every grade level and area of interest is provided through word games, community-building games, team-building games, and more. Included with the book is a CD-ROM of reproducible handouts to engage kids even further, rounding out this ideal tool for teachers, day-care providers, and after-school program providers.

Click here to find more info or purchase the e-book for $23.95.
If you prefer to hold your books in hand, click here for the paperback version.

Outdoor Nation

2010-02-23T17:41:00.000-08:00

Asset Builders,

See the information below and more details attached for getting our youth outside for power, political action and play.

The Outdoor Foundation and more than 30 organizations (including the YMCA) are supporting the Outdoor Nation -- a next-gen movement to champion the outdoors. If you are between ages 13 and 30, you’re invited to join this growing group of young adults who are building an Outdoor Nation that combines youth power, political action, and outdoor play.

By becoming an Outsider you’ll:
- Win free outdoor gear from brand name companies like The North Face just for providing feedback and sharing your opinions
- Connect with other Outsiders across the country who share your passion
- Advise and work with the top outdoor companies in the world
- Influence federal and state public policies and programs
- Have the chance to earn exclusive internships with cool outdoor organizations
- Have the chance to travel to NYC and attend Outdoor Nation in Central Park
Be one of the first 500 members between the ages of 13-30 and win a FREE Outdoor Nation T-shirt!

To join Outdoor Nation and become an Outsider, simply visit www.outdoornation.org.

Take care and GET OUTSIDE!

Sandra Harris
Asset Specialist
YMCA of the USA

Resources for Youth Programs

2010-02-22T09:00:00.000-08:00

If you want to have a strong youth program, check out Search Institute's resources for integrating Developmental Assets into Youth Development Programs. Here are some of the many tools they offer on their website:

Service-learning — When young people engage in the asset of Service to Others, they are more likely to experience more of the other assets over time.

Peer helping — Peer-helping programs can make a big impression and have a significant impact on young people.

Mentoring — In an asset-building organization or community, formal mentoring offers an important strategy for intentionally linking young people and adults…

Creative activities — Art, theater, and music programs can build many Developmental Assets.

Sports and athletics — Young people benefit a lot from sports programs—-particularly those that are balanced and age-appropriate.

Camping — Camping takes young people away from their everyday environment and, at their best, create an asset-rich experience

2010-02-19T09:00:00.000-08:00

It doesn't just take a village -- it takes a whole village, a strong village and an informed village to improve outcomes for children and youth, reduce gang violence, support good schools and make good decisions.

Jan Richter, Editor at Connect for Kids

Helping in Haiti

2010-02-18T09:00:00.000-08:00

Since there are so many needs in Haiti we want you to see this resource kit with ideas of projects and things needed. Hope it helps spark some further ideas of how you can involve your youth. Though targeted towards sports, that doesn't mean you HAVE to have a sports team. The ideas still work. The needs are still there.

--

Many have donated to Haiti through various aid organizations, but there is more to be done. As youth sports program providers, there is enormous potential to engage young athletes in service-learning projects related to the recovery effort in Haiti.

Up2Us has developed the 'Guide for Youth Sports Teams to Help Haiti', a comprehensive guide to the discussion, research, preparation and action that a service-learning project for Haiti requires. Download, share, and utilize this guide

What do you know about Children's Health in Tennessee?

2010-02-17T09:00:00.000-08:00

Alignment Nashville and Nashville Public Television are working together to help bring awareness to the children’s health crisis Tennessee is facing.

In response to the increased number of children facing risks from poor or non-existent prenatal care, the rising epidemic of childhood obesity, concerns about vaccinations, mental health issues, lack of specialty care and the consequences of risky adolescent sexual behavior, NPT is launching a three-year project aimed at building a community-wide conversation about the state of Nashville children’s health. NPT will produce a series of seven documentaries to encourage children and families to make healthy choices and help reverse the rising trends of childhood health problems in Tennessee.

Watch the debut on NPT - February 25 at 8pm.

(Reprinted from Alignment Nashville's e-newsletter)

The Pepsi Refresh Everything Project is currently offering grants to individuals and organizations with innovative project ideas.

2010-02-16T09:00:00.000-08:00

Character Counts shared this ideas for potential projects:
Service learning projects for your students with workshops on integrating character and service
Programs to address issues like bullying and cheating
Parent nights and workshops to help parents instill values at home
Sportsmanship initiatives to improve the behavior of athletes, coaches, and spectators

Grant details:
At the beginning of each month, Pepsi will review the first 1,000 applications they receive. The next application cycle will open on March 1. You can visit the Refresh Everything website now to begin reviewing the information and preparing your application. Pepsi expects lots of applications each month, so get started right away to make sure your application is submitted in time. Applications can only be completed and submitted online.

Grants will be awarded based on an online voting period. Grant applications submitted in January are up for voting this month. If you submit your grant in March, you can vote for your application in April. This is a great opportunity to get your community involved in supporting your project!

Grant awards vary in size depending on the project and your organization. Each month, up to $1.3 million will be awarded as follows: two grants at the $250,000 level; 10 grants at the $50,000 level; 10 grants at the $25,000 level; and 10 grants at the $5,000 level.
For details, visit http://www.refresheverything.com. Specific questions about the grant can be directed to Young America at 1-800-768-2784 or PepsiRefresh@young-america.com.

Thanks to Character Counts for sharing this info!

Do your students love to doodle?

2010-02-15T09:00:00.000-08:00

Give them a chance to showcase their art on Google.com's homepage by registering your school for Doodle 4 Google. Doodle 4 Google is a competition open to K-12 students in U.S. schools who are invited to create their own Google doodle inspired by the theme, "If I Could Do Anything, I Would . . . " Students' doodles will be judged on artistic merit, creativity, representation of the theme, and other criteria. There prize packages for students and schools are awesome! For more info, go to www.google.com/doodle4google to register their school by March 17, 2010.

Cristin Frodella
Google for Educators
http://www.google.com/educators

Random Acts of Kindness Week (February 15 - 21)

2010-02-12T08:30:00.000-08:00

Random Acts of Kindness Week is a celebration dedicated to reminding everyone of the positive benefits and effects of kindness. Kindness is good for both the giver and the person receiving the kind gesture. A compliment.....help provided.....a favor done.....it makes each person feel special. When someone does a generous deed for another, a series of Kind Acts is set in motion and Kindness repeats across the community. Performing acts of kindness not only benefits the receiver of kindness but the doer as well. In fact, practicing kind acts has been proven to benefit both one's mental and physical health.

Download resources at: www.actsofkindness.org/be-inspired
Teacher resources are available at: www.actsofkindness.org/classroom

Youth Invitation: Join the Delegation to the UN Commission on Sustainable Development Session

2010-02-11T09:00:00.000-08:00

Agents of Change (AoC) is now accepting applications to join the SustainUS youth delegation to the 18th Session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD-18), which will be held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City from May 3 – 14, 2010. CSD-18 is a review session and addresses the topics of transport, chemicals, waste management, and mining. In addition, CSD-18 will follow-up on the 2006 Johannesburg Summit call to develop a 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns.

Selected delegates will have the opportunity to work with government officials, scientists, civil society representatives, and youth from around the world to review progress on issues related to sustainable development. In the past, AoC delegates have presented case studies and policy statements on behalf of youth; participated in forums with fellow representatives of civil society; and met with government delegates, international organizations, and the US State Department.

Download an application from the AoC website, and return it via email by Wednesday, February 17, 2010.

Thanks to Conor Cusack for sharing this info with us!

College Goal Sunday: February 14

2010-02-08T09:00:00.000-08:00

The financial burden of attending college can deter many prospective college applicants. On February 14, 2010, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, hundreds of financial aid professionals and other higher education experts, together with partners and sponsors interested in helping students, will volunteer their Sunday afternoon to help students and their families fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This one-day event will help college-bound students take the first step in applying for financial assistance for college. For more information go to www.tn.gov/collegegoalsunday or call 1-800-342-1663.

SITE LOCATIONS

ATHENS
TN Technology Center at Athens

BLOUNTVILLE
Northeast State Community College

CHATTANOOGA
Chattanooga State Community College

CLARKSVILLE
Austin Peay State University

CLEVELAND
Cleveland State Community College

CLIFTON
Frank Hughes High School

COLUMBIA
Columbia State Community College

COOKEVILLE
Tennessee Tech University

CRUMP
TN Technology Center at Crump

DYERSBURG
Dyersburg State Community College

GALLATIN
Volunteer State Community College

HARROGATE
Lincoln Memorial University

JACKSON
Lambuth University

KNOXVILLE
Johnson Bible College
Pellissippi State
Community College
C.W. Cansler YMCA

LEBANON
Cumberland University

LYNCHBURG
Motlow State Community College

MCKENZIE
Bethel University

MCMINNVILLE
TN Technology Center at McMinnville

MEMPHIS
LeMoyne Owen College
Southwest TN Community College -
Macon Cove

TN Technology Center at Memphis

White Station High School
MILLIGAN
Milligan College
MURFREESBORO
Middle TN State University

NASHVILLE
Tennessee State University Avon Williams (Downtown)
Belmont University

OAK RIDGE
Roane State Community College - Oak Ridge

WAVERLY
Nashville State
Community College - Waverly

WHITEVILLE
TN Technology Center at Whiteville

(From Volunteer Tennessee's e-newsletter)

Detective Books for Kids

2010-02-07T09:00:00.000-08:00

Sometimes the key to building a love for reading in children is simply to find the types of books that they love to read. I love detective stories (and so does my 2nd grader!), so I was thrilled to find this list of detective books at the PBS Kids' history Detectives site. It has current favorites (A-Z and Cam Jansen) as well as classics (Nate the Great and Encyclopedia Brown) and everything in between.

Did you know that "Reading for Pleasure" is one of the 40 assets? That's how critical reading is to healthy child development!

New Character-Building Book for Teens

2010-02-05T19:37:00.000-08:00

Barbara Lewis is an awesome author - her works are so practical and engaging. I just found her new book in a catalog and I can't wait to read it.

This is the book description from freespirit.com: "Young people need guidance from caring adults to build strong, positive character traits—but they can also build their own. This book invites children and teens to explore and practice honesty, kindness, empathy, integrity, tolerance, patience, respect, and more. Quotations and background information set the stage. Dilemmas challenge readers to think about, discuss, and debate positive traits. Activities invite them to explore what they stand for at school, at home, and in their communities. True stories profile real kids who exemplify positive traits; resources point the way toward character-building books, organizations, programs, and Web sites."

Have you read this? Have you seen it? Do you have other favorite character-building resources for teens?

Share the Love - Valentine Traditions that Build Healthy Relationships

2010-02-04T11:14:00.000-08:00

Holidays offer a great opportunity to be intentional about building assets, building memories, and having fun together. Valentine’s Day, in particular, is a great time to show others that you care, leading to a more caring school climate, a more supportive home environment, stronger intergenerational relationships and healthier friendships. Here are some ideas you can use in the weeks surrounding Valentine’s Day.

Kitchen Celebrations

Hide a Valentine message and candy treat as a surprise.
Write ‘love notes’ with a sharpie marker on the peel of a banana or a sandwich bag
Cut out hearts - sandwiches, pizza, pancakes, cookies, rice crispy treats, napkins, placemats....
Have friends over for a pancake breakfast. Make heart-shaped pancakes using a metal cookie cutter. Serve with raspberry or strawberry preserves and a dollop of whipped cream.
Incorporate red, pink, and white foods into your Valentine’s Day meals (Red: strawberries, apples, dried cranberries, red peppers, raspberries, red hots, spaghetti, lasagna. White: bananas , cauliflower, yogurt covered raisins, marshmallows, vanilla yogurt, alfredo pasta. Pink: strawberry ice cream, strawberry milk, strawberry yogurt)

Loving Words

Hide conversation hearts around the room for children to find. Let children hunt and hide them again and again.
Get sneaky – put mini love notes in each other’s pockets, lunchboxes or on their pillows during the week. On each note, share a specific trait you admire about that person such as, “Your hugs every night make my day,” “I love your ready smile,” or “Thank you for your helpful spirit.”
Send cards to people you care about. Draw pictures or write poems to tell them why they are important to you.

Loving Hands

Make Valentines on the computer. Create labels using your own photo, add a Valentine message, and then stick the label to treats.
Remember old fashioned paper weaving with paper strips? Weave pink, white, and red placemats.
Get creative – make valentine t-shirts with paints or draw hearts and fill in with words and pictures that represent things that each is proud of themselves and each other.
Make ‘stained glass’ hearts using recycled crayons and waxed paper.

Show Some Love to Others
Volunteer together to help someone in need. (Need inspiration? For young children, read Berenstain Bears’ Think of Those in Need by Stan and Jan Berenstain. For pre-teens and teens consider reading our book, Ready to Go Service Projects: 140 Ways for Youth Groups to Lend a Hand.)

On the Big Screen
Spread out sleeping bags and enjoy a box of popcorn as you enjoy classic movies about love and friendship. Some of our favorites include: Ever After, Beauty and the Beast, The Sound of Music, Shrek, Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, Lady and the Tramp, Cars, The Lion King, or The Princess Bride.

Whatever you do, seize the moment to show attention, love and care for those around you. Don’t miss the opportunity to say you care.

Assets Built through These Valentine’s Traditions * Family support * Positive family communication * Other adult relationships * Caring neighborhood * Caring school climate * Service to others * Positive peer influence * Creative activities * Youth programs * Time at home * Reading for pleasure * Caring * Equality and social justice * Planning and decision making * Interpersonal competence * Self-esteem

End the Word Awareness Day

2010-02-03T18:03:00.000-08:00

Special Olympics Project UNIFY and youth leaders around the country are trying to make our schools and our world safer and more just for students with intellectual disabilities. They have named March 3 as End the Word Awareness Day. Go to their website, www.r-word.org, to sign your support and find resources to develop your own efforts and awareness in your organization, community or school.

"As we consider concepts of safety, equity, and justice", says Anderson Williams, "this campaign represents a powerful national, youth-led effort for all of these ideals in our schools and communities. We can make a real difference by simply choosing not to use the r-word ourselves."

Anderson Williams shared several brief videos that demonstrate the importance of this issue and the power of young people to change it:

1. A student video created in response to the use of the r-word on the O’Reilly Factor which was sent to the show and solicited a public apology!
2. An interview with Johnny Knoxville with Eddie Barbanell on why he has chosen to stop using the word

Magazine for Girls

2010-02-03T11:00:00.000-08:00

If you're looking for an alternative to Seventeen Magazine (and the not-necessarily-so-healthy messages they send about body image, fashion, sex, and relationships), I just discovered a magazine that you and your girls might enjoy.

Kiki describes themselves as, "a magazine for girls who love life, appreciate creativity, and recognize good ideas. A Kiki reader thinks for herself, has her own look, and is on her way to being a confident, strong, and smart young woman. She's a girl with style and substance!"

I picked up a sample magazine last fall, and I was totally impressed. It has a bright and classy. The articles are culturally relevant and age-appropriate. They have frugal fashion ideas, they honor diversity, and they encourage girls to be smart.

Check them out - and if you know of other great magazines for tweens and teens, we'd love to hear about them!