[Assets] New Study Finds Common Ground Among Youth Workers

[Gene Roehlkepartain]

Greetings, Asset Builders,

Below is the announcement of a new study from Search Institute and National
Collaboration for Youth. I think you¹ll find a lot of encouraging news for
asset builders‹and well as some work that needs to be done. If nothing else,
consider it useful information in helping to make the case for engaging
youth-serving organizations and faith-based organizations in your
asset-building efforts.

Best wishes as we all launch into the new school year.

Warmly,
Gene


Community- and Faith-Based Youth Workers Agree:
Build Relationship, Be Role Models, Empower Youth

Youth workers in both community-based settings and faith-based settings
agree that it¹s essential that youth workers develop positive relationships
with youth, are positive role models, and involve and empower youth,
according to a just-released study from the National Collaboration for Youth
and Search Institute.

Titled Is There Common Ground? An Exploratory Study of the Interests and
Needs of Community-Based and Faith-Based Youth Workers, the study examined
the core competencies of youth workers in both sectors as well as their
interests in and concerns about working together. The project was supported
by the Lilly Endowment, Inc.

³What emerges is a remarkable degree of alignment across sectors around many
youth work priorities as well as exceptions that leave room for unique
accents and learning across differences,² the report¹s authors Pam Garza,
Stephanie Artman, and Eugene C. Roehlkepartain conclude. For example,  85%
of youth workers surveyed indicate that ³building positive relationships and
communicating with youth² is ³essential² to their work‹with virtually
difference in this area between the two groups of youth workers. However,
though 77% of faith-based youth workers say it is essential to help young
people grow spiritually, only 14% of community-based workers see this
dimension as essential.

The report provides insights regarding priorities, professional development
needs, and perspectives on collaboration based on a series of focus groups
with youth workers, an online survey of 1,200 youth workers, and a national
summit with key leaders in both community-based and faith-based settings. It
also includes key findings from a parallel study by the American Camp
Association that examined the competencies, priorities, and interests in
collaboration among secular and religious camps, which showed similar
patterns to the broader study.

³Youth workers in both community-based and faith-based settings are all
entrusted to focus on young people¹s successful development by addressing
their gifts, needs, strengths, and challenges,² the authors write. ³Yes,
youth workers in each setting approach these issues from somewhat different
vantage points, but their shared commitment to young people provides fertile
common ground for strengthening their capacity to make a real difference in
the lives of the young people of our communities, states, nation, and
world.²

The project report may be downloaded at no cost from:
http://www.search-institute.org/research/commonground

The National Collaboration for Youth (NCY) is a coalition of more than 50
National Human Services Assembly member organizations. It provides united
voice as advocates for youth to improve the conditions of young people in
America, and to help young people reach their full potential. Search
Institute, an NCY member, is a national innovator in positive youth
development that provides leadership, knowledge, and resources to promote
healthy children, youth, and communities.

For more information:
Gene Roehlkepartain
Search Institute
615 First Ave. Northeast, Suite 125
Minneapolis, MN 55413
E-mail: gener at search-institute.org

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