From the Spring 2001 Collaborator
It’s About Time For Kids

Family Resource Center is a partner in Redmond’s It’s About Time for Kids initiative. A community collaboration, its mission is to embrace and work toward the common goal of assuring all kids have the “ingredients” they need to succeed. (Call (425) 643-4957 for handouts or more information.)

It’s About Time for Kids is based on a research model that has identified 40 assets, or “ingredients” that all kids need to succeed.  Assets are things like positive communication with parents, feeling valued by the community, the ability to resist negative peer pressure and so on. 

All 9th and 11th graders in the Lake Washington School District took a survey last year  that measured how many of the 40 assets they possess.  While Redmond’s results are somewhat  consistent with other communities, learning that its youth average 19 of the 40 assets has caused the community to take notice and ask what should be done differently.

Redmond youth were asked to share some thoughts on ways adults could help build up the areas where young people had fewest  assets, and just a few suggestions are quoted below.

28% of kids feel their parents’ communicate positively and are willing to seek advice and counsel from them.

• Forget your worries sometimes and concentrate just on us.
• Set boundaries that keep us safe.
• Share our excitement.
• Follow us when we lead.
• Give us space when we need it.
• Tell us how terrific we are.
• Eat dinner with us.
• Praise more. Criticize less.

33% of kids feel their parents are actively involved to help them succeed in school.

• Encourage us to read for pleasure.
• Come to our games, concerts and events at school

32% of kids experience caring neighbors.

• Smile at us - a lot.
• Acknowledge us, especially the good things we do.
• Learn our names.
• Let us know you’re accessible.
• Come to our school plays, concerts and sports events. 

15% of youth feel valued and 28% believe they have useful roles in our community.

• Include us on your committees.
• Listen to our concerns and perspectives about community issues.
• Sponsor a community project for a youth group.
• Arrange for a young person who is interested in your profession to become an intern or apprentice.
• Avoid stereotyping.
• Give us the benefit of the doubt rather than assume the  worst.
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Contact us!
Family Resource Center
16225 NE 87th Street
Suite A-5
Redmond, WA 98052
425.869.6699 phone
425.869.6666 fax

©Family Resource Center 2006.  All rights reserved.

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