The Winston School San Antonio
February 4, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Development Office
The Winston School San Antonio
(210) 615-7485
www.winston-sa.org
Building Strength in Children through Developmental Assets
"Come and see what you can do to make a difference in the life of a child. It's easier than you think."
Mindi Acord, M.A.
February 17, 2005
Free
7:00–8:00 p.m. Winston School Library
Phone: (210) 615-7485
Presented By
Mindi Acord, M.A., Winston School Counselor
The Winston School San Antonio school counselor, Mindi Acord, will conduct a free, hands-on workshop entitled "Building Strength in Children through Developmental Assets" on Thursay, February 17, 2005 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Winston School library. The workshop will be preceded by an Open House beginning at 6:00 p.m. to include a presentation, tour of the school, and question-and-answer session. It is also free and open to the general public.
Developmental Assets are concrete, common sense, positive experiences and qualities essential to raising successful young people. These assets have the power during critical years of development to influence choices young people make and help them become caring, responsible adults.
A survey conducted by the Search Institute of over two million youths across the United States and Canada in 1989 revealed the majority of young people in this country—from all walks of life— are lacking in sufficient Developmental Assets needed for healthy development. Results show that the greater the numbers of Developmental Assets experienced by young people, the more positive and successful their development. The fewer the number of Assets present, the greater the possibility youth will engage in risky behaviors such as drug use, unsafe sex, and violence.
Ms. Acord will introduce 40 internal and external assets that foster in children characteristics and behaviors that reflect positive growth and development. Developing internal assets will help these young people make thoughtful and positive choices and, in turn, be better prepared for situations in life that challenge their inner strength and confidence.
External assets are the positive experiences young people recieve from the world around them. These 20 assets are about supporting and empowering young people, about setting boundaries and expectations, and about positive and constructive use of young people's time. External assets identify important roles that families, schools, congregations, neighborhoods, and youth organizations can play in promoting healthy development.
Ms. Acord will demonstrate how applying the principles of asset building shifts the emphasis from the following to:
| FROM | TO… | |
| • | Problem Focus | Positive Focus |
| • | Competition | Cooperation |
| • | Despair | Hope |
| • | Crisis Management | Vision |
| • | Youth as Problems | Youth as Resources |
| • | Blaming | Claiming Responsibility |
Search Institute is an independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide leadership, knowledge and resources to promote healthy children, youth and communities. To accomplish this mission, the Institute generates and communicates new knowledge and brings together community, state and national leaders.
Seating is limited. For more information or to preregister please call (210) 615-7485 or email development@winston-sa.org. The event will be preceded by an Admissions Open House beginning at 6:00 p.m.
The Winston School San Antonio free lecture series is sponsored by the Winston Institute, an educational outreach arm of The Winston School San Antonio. The Winston School San Antonio is an accredited school for children in grades K through 12 with learning differences and/or attentional difficulties and is located in the South Texas Medical Center at 8565 Ewing Halsell Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78229 (between Wurzbach and Hamilton Wolfe).
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