Asset Development

Client playing guitarYPA’s Asset Development and Strength-Based Services focuses on developing community resources, support and creating a sense of positive personal culture that will help ease the transition from residential life into independent living. Our goal is to facilitate the development of those community resources, strengthen social networks and support, and create a wide variety of pro-social free time activities that will fill the slate that has been wiped clean due to incarceration and negative lifestyles.

What is Asset Development?

In 2004 the Search Institute identified 40 Developmental Assets as being “building blocks of healthy development that help young people grow up healthy, caring, and responsible.” Results from their research showed that the greater number of Developmental Assets experienced by young people, the more positive and successful their development. (www.search-institute.org). YPA responded to the need for more opportunities in which youth can experience the Development Assets by incorporating an Asset Development program into the action plan of every YPA client. Today, 100% of YPA clients are experiencing both internal and external asset development within their lives in order to create a healthier and more successful future.

Finding Strengths in Everyone

Upon entering YPA, every client is assessed using a self-measurement interview to evaluate his/her strengths, life plan, and community plan for their time in the program. Staff works with each client in the development of an individual action plan to complete while at YPA, and offers advice and activity choices for community involvement based on the strengths and goals of the client.

Strength-Based Activities

YPA offers several recreational activities to encourage client participation in healthy physical and mental outlets. Recreational groups and clubs are offered throughout the week and weekend, both during the day and in the evening, so that all clients are able to participate in at least one activity.

"I found the creative person in me"

-Ruby, YPA client, Art Club participant

"There’s something about it that helps keep me out of physical confrontations and verbal arguments."

-Josh, YPA client, Tae Kwon Do student

Current activities include:

Reaching Out To The Community

YPA encourages clients to become active in their community in order to develop a support network and to increase their sense of community values. Several of our clients volunteer at local organizations. Others participate in a community class, recreational program, or personal interest club.

YPA also offers a Community Enrichment Committee, which was created by several YPA clients. This Committee, comprised of and led by YPA clients, is devoted to helping others and showing empathy for those in need. The Community Enrichment Committee has undertaken several projects, including a car wash to raise money for Hurricane Katrina Relief, and a bake sale to purchase Christmas gifts for the Committee’s two “adopted” families.