Program: Youth Matters!

Contact:
Connie Potter
Forest Grove School District
(503) 359-2420
cpotter@fgsd.k12.or.us

Youth Matters! is a community partnership focused on building the developmental assets youth need to grow up healthy, caring and competent.  The 40 Developmental Assets framework was created by the Search Institute to assess the health and well being of middle and high school age youth. It measures the presence of external support that adults provide, such as love, guidance and structure, as well as young people's internal assets such as motivation, values and beliefs. Youth Matters! was developed by the community after a 2004 survey of 800 7th, 9th & 11th grade students, Forest Grove youth had an average of only 17.6 of the 40 assets, putting them at risk for academic failure and dangerous behavior. Recognized by the Oregon Department of Education in 2006 as an Outstanding Community-School Partnership, the project brings together schools, local businesses, public agencies, and community volunteers to raise awareness of the needs of youth and to increase adult involvement in the lives of youth. The community has embraced the effort through school volunteers, services and programs for youth, after school programs and summer camps, and youth leadership programs.

Thank You E3 Community Partners
Cornelius City Council
Forest Grove Chamber of Commerce
Forest Grove Parks and Recreation
Forest Grove School District
His Church Forest Grove Foursquare
Pacific University
Portland Community College
Tom McCall Administrator
Tuality Healthcare
United Church of Christ
Waltz Sheridan Crawford