The Youth First Mission
Our mission is to build a healthy community by engaging all community members to develop, support and nurture positive assets in our youth.

What is Asset Building?
Asset building is intergenerational. Assets are those positive values, attitudes, and attributes that develop youth into positive role models and contributors to our community. We all need assets and we all build assets.

What are Assets?
We've chosen the 40 Development Assets from the Search Institute as the framework for our efforts. Assets are the building blocks of healthy development which help young people to grow up healthy, caring, and responsible.

A caring neighborhood is a support asset. Youth are more likely to grow up healthy when they experience caring neighbors.

Helping other people is another support asset. Youth need opportunities to contribute meaningfully to society. To do this they need an environment that is safe and values them.

Talk Triggers
Talking with a neighbor may seem daunting to your child. Encourage your child to use these talk triggers to strike up a conversation with a neighbor:

• What do you do in your spare time?
• What do you like best about our neighborhood?
• Which books have had an impact on your life? Why?
• What is your favorite childhood memory?
• What do you wish you had more time to do?

Friendships can only develop when people take risks by acknowledging their neighbors, getting to know their neighbors, and taking time to form relationships. Usually all neighbors – no matter their age – benefit!