March 17, 2004

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Palo Alto Online

Board of Contributors: Saturday conference part of struggle to make us more 'youth friendly'

by Dan Logan

Our community has been doing some soul searching lately about a puzzling question: "Just how youth friendly are we?"

We consider ourselves pretty effective in that department until we're confronted with some shocking reminders -- two teen suicides within 13 months, an unsupervised party that leads to a hit-and-run killing by an apparently troubled young man.

An array of concerned parents, citizens and young people are exploring ways to respond not just so we can prevent these tragic losses of life but enhance the lives of all young persons.

But where do we begin?

Much of our response will be to focus on helping young persons develop skills to help them better manage their lives -- and that's an OK starting point.

Over the years -- make that decades -- there have been many programs to address what I call the "symptom du jour." Every few months it seems there is a spate of articles about some great threat to our next generation. We see articles on youth obesity, domestic violence, bullying, schoolyard shootings, drugs, alcoholism, deadbeat dads, autism, homelessness, attention deficit hyperactive disorder -- anything imaginable.

When a new symptom of the day, or year, surfaces, we form support groups, perform research, hold Congressional hearings, conduct candlelight vigils, raise funds, train parents, write school curricula.

But in a year or two our attention will be diverted to yet another symptom of the malaise of youth.

I don't mean to seem cynical. I've written funding proposals, developed curriculum, created videos, delivered speeches, written legislation. And we have helped plenty of kids and families.

But at times I feel we're playing that arcade game where you take a mallet and take a whack at a lump -- but the faster you whack, the faster new lumps just keep rising.

We need to ask ourselves, "Why is it that some kids seem to be able to steer clear of trouble while others fall prey to the many risks of adolescence?" Better genes? Nature-versus-nurture -- genes vs. upbringing? Can we somehow inoculate young people from the problems they encounter?

Those of us who have wrestled with such questions for years have learned some things along the way -- outcomes that provide surprises and reason for hope; action plans that don't necessarily require throwing more money at age-old problems.

It turns out that kids -- regardless of their backgrounds -- are more likely to succeed when they have positive adult relationships, at home or school. Maybe it's even a bus driver, cashier or car mechanic who smiles and treats young people with respect.

What do "successful" kids have in common? Such "success factor" traits are called "developmental assets" or just "assets." It's not rocket science and it's not just college-bound students or kids from the "right side of town." That's the good news.

It's pretty common-sense stuff: Kids who manage to stay out of serious trouble report that they feel included, and experience a sense of competence, usefulness and power over their lives. \ And the kids who fall prey to violence, abuse of alcohol and drugs? The difference is striking. They're far less likely to know adults they can confide in, or have access to worthwhile activities. They report feeling less valued by people they encounter.

Researchers have identified 40 such assets that correlate powerfully with the likelihood that young people will emerge from adolescence well adjusted and productive. It turns out that young persons who can identify 31 or more of these assets in themselves are three times more likely to succeed in school than teens who have 10 or fewer assets. And those with few assets are also three times more likely to be involved in violence, drugs or premature sex than those with 31 or more assets.

Can we teach such assets in school? Maybe we could call it "No Child Left Behind" and pledge billions of tax dollars? Or how about a "War on Drugs"? Or "War on Poverty"?

Did I hear someone say, "Been there, done that"?

But we have a new generation of young persons -- young PERSONS -- around us today that haven't "been there, done that."

Helping young people succeed won't happen when Congress passes a resolution or the Supreme Court hands down a ruling. We know what it takes and mostly it comes down to one word T-I-M-E -- that scarce commodity: Time spent smiling at a young person, time devoted to listening to kids, time spent involving them in our lives, in the community.

This Saturday, March 20, 15 local organizations invite you to join us for a free community forum to learn more about improving our community's environment for youth. We call it "Defining Long-Term Success in a One-Minute World."

We'll hear from the real experts on youth -- a panel of local teens. In addition, we'll hear from five adults who will offer some experience-based ideas about what we can do. The half-day conference will be held at the YMCA, 3412 Ross Road beginning 9 a.m. (8:30 a.m. registration). Adults and young persons are invited -- please RSVP to jdon@ymcamidpen.org.

Dan Logan, executive director of the Palo Alto YMCA and YMCA of the Mid-Peninsula, is a member of the Weekly's Board of Contributors. He can be e-mailed at dlogan@ymcamidpen.org.

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