The GivEm 40 Coalition launched on May 20, 1999. That day, over 900 people - half of them youth - gathered at the Rally Around Youth in Traverse City. They attended to learn the results of the asset surveys conducted in the region's schools. Most importantly, they came to talk together about how they could help improve those results for our young people.
Many exciting things happened at the Rally Around Youth. The high energy from that day got the GivEm 40 Coalition off to great start!
The best part of the day was the major role youth played as speakers, workshop leaders, performers and participants.
The GivEm 40 Teen Troupe Theatre gave its premier performance. The troupe helps its audience understand asset messages in powerful ways, by writing and performing skits that show adults and youth alike how they can make a difference in their everyday lives.
Dr. Peter Benson, President of the Search Institute, spoke about the power of assets -- how youth who have a high number of assets are much better able to avoid risk taking behavior such as alcohol and substance abuse. And, how those youth do the things that help build great futures for themselves.
Michigan State University announced a partnership grant, committing faculty and evaluators to help the coalition use the research results in meaningful ways.
We unveiled the coalition's name, logo, slogan, theme song, toll free number and public service announcements.
Of course, a number of people worked quietly for about two years to form the GivEm 40 Coalition. Our major community funders - United Way of Northwest Michigan, Rotary Charities of Traverse City and the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation - were the founding partners of the Coalition.
First, they began using the asset model to help them make their grant decisions. This sent a strong message to many persons in the community that they should learn about the developmental asset model.
Then they offered funds to the superintendents of the school districts in the five county region to conduct the asset survey. These organizations' leaders promised the superintendents that the survey results could inspire people to work together in new ways to improve the results we are getting for our children.
And that, in fact, has happened. Those survey results HAVE inspired many people to work together in meaningful ways. Vital partnerships are now at work in our region helping kids to thrive. Bridges are being built between communities and schools. Organizations that serve youth are working together in new ways. And best of all, many individuals are examining their personal power to help give kids what they need to succeed.
There is no rocket science involved in any of what is happening. However, there IS magic in our renewed understanding that it truly does take a village to raise a child. The positive and uplifting approach provided by assets builds powerful bonds between the efforts of educators, parents, citizens and community organizations.
While this is not the stuff of quick fix solutions, it is the substance of long term approaches that CAN and WILL make our communities great places to joyfully help our children grow into healthy, caring, responsible adults.