An essential component in implementing the Bridges to the Future model is making youth development the main focus.  Bridges believes in positive youth development and building upon student strengths, and achieves this by utilizing the Search Institute’s© 40 Developmental Assets.  The assets, categorized as either external or internal, are approaches to raising successful youths into responsible adults.  External assets identify important roles that families, schools, congregations, neighborhoods, and youth organizations can play in promoting healthy development. The internal assets identify those characteristics and behaviors that reflect positive internal growth and development of young people.
(Source: Search Institute www.search-institute.org/assets)

Each month we will feature a different asset and ways that your family can build assets at home.