Today was moving day - we've moved our blog to a new hosting site. The new site is much easier to use, so we're thrilled with the move. All the archived articles are pasted into the new blog, but they're not in calendar order.  So if you need to find one of your favorite stories or links, just look for it using the search button at the top of the new blog.  Or email us at cad(at)theassetedge(dot)net.

So come take a peek & set your bookmark to: 

www.TheAssetEdge.blogspot.com

(Our website will still be www.TheAssetEdge.net)

I love this story from the Oasis Center's website.  What a great asset building story about empowerment, positive identity and social competencies!  And I hear that her pies are super yummy!

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In 2005, Alexis Holmes left the Oasis Emergency Shelter and started a baking business that generates revenue to help support youth in the same shelter that helped her to this very day. Alexis is taking orders for Holiday Pies and Treats, to place an order or to find out more about Alexis and Her Famous Pies email bugsact@gmail.com.

Watch Alexis Making her Famous Pies on Talk of The Town.
www.newschannel5.com/Global/category.asp

From the Healthy Communities Healthy Youth listserve:

(This opportunity is to serve on the Youth Editorial Board of the Publisher who published our "Great Group Games" book, and who will publish our "Building Character From the Start" book.  They're great folks!)

Here in the publishing department at Search Institute we rely on you, our colleagues in the field, to review our manuscripts before they're published. In 2008 we launched a youth editorial board and enjoyed great results. We are about to enter our second year of collaboration with young people, but first things first--we need to elect new members to the board!

We plan on selecting youth to serve on the editorial board for six-month increments each year, starting with January–July and August–December terms. The youth members will have the chance to tell us exactly what they think about our manuscripts—what they like, what won't work in their lives, what they would love to see included. Each member will receive $50 total for participating in the process, $25 at the beginning and $25 upon completion of the six-month term.

Although the majority of our publications are for adults, it's important for us to hear what teenagers think of the asset-building strategies we recommend to asset builders. We are creating a youth editorial board to provide this insight by reading manuscripts before they become books. It will serve as a wonderful opportunity for them to tell us firsthand what they want and need from the adults in their lives.

If you know a young person who would enjoy reviewing manuscripts for Search Institute Press, please e-mail me with the following information:

First and Last Name
Age
Grade in School
E-mail Address
Mailing Address
Phone Number
Why would you like to participate on the youth editorial board?

Thank you so much for all you do to build assets for youth! Please let me know if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Alison Dotson
alisond@search-institute.org

Win a copy of our Great Group Games book - check out this email from the Search Institute:

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Tell us what you think - for the chance to win a copy of our #1 Best Seller Great Group Games!

Do you have  . . . 
 · Ideas for blog topics?
 · Ways that we can make asset building easier for you?
 · Feedback on our Web site?

Please let us know!

Our newest book is finally finished - well at least the first stage of publishing is finished. We just turned in the final draft of our latest book, which will be published by Search Institute Press in fall 09:

Building Character From the Start

201 Activities to Foster Creativity, Literacy, and Play in K-3

Here is a brief description of the chapters included:

• Unit One: Finish the Pictures – Opportunities for children to draw and write stories that ‘finish the pictures’ on the page.
• Unit Two: Experiencing Books – 98 books that encourage self-expression, healthy relationships, creativity, and strong character. Each book connects to talking points and activities for further exploration.
• Unit Three: Masterpiece Creations – full of story starters, activities with food, and artistic explorations.
• Unit Four: Play and Move - games that promote literacy, creativity and play.

We're very excited about the books, games, and writing activities that will inspire children in homes, schools and other youth organizations. We thank God for his many blessings!

If you want to receive an email when the book is released, leave your contact info in a comment box or email me at mommysecretsblog(at)gmail(dot)com.

If you want to take a peek at our other books, click below:

• Great Group Games: 175 Boredom Busting, Zero Prep Team Builders for All Ages
• Ready to Go Service Projects: 140 Ways for Youth Groups to Lend a Hand
  

• Encourage all family members to share their thoughts and feelings.
• Give one another your full attention when you communicate. That means turning away from the phone, internet or television momentarily.  
• Focus on listening to the other person without thinking about what your response will be.
• Let the other person finish before you react or offer advice.
• Use equalizing “I” messages instead of pointed “You” messages.

* Family support * Positive family communication * Other adult relationships * Caring neighborhood * Caring school climate * Parent involvement in schooling * Community values youth * Youth as resources * Service to others * Safety * Family boundaries * School boundaries * Neighborhood boundaries * Adult role models * Positive peer influence * High expectations * Creative activities * Youth programs * Religious community * Time at home * Achievement motivation * School engagement * Homework * Bonding to school * Reading for pleasure * Caring * Equality and social justice * Integrity * Honesty * Responsibility * Restraint * Planning and decision making * Interpersonal competence * Cultural competence * Resistance skills * Peaceful conflict resolution * Personal power * Self-esteem * Sense of purpose * Positive view of personal future *

You can see more about the 40 assets at www.search-institute.org.  The research on these building blocks for youth is great - take time to look at it.  And print a copy of the assets to post on your refigerator or desk!

Volunteer Tennessee publishes a great monthly newsletter about service-learning resources, news, and ideas.  I always take away good tips from their collection.  You can view the whole newsletter here.

Here are some of the links that I found of interest:

• K-12 Service-Learning Standards for Quality Practice, www.nylc.org/standards
• Ecological Footprint Calculator,  www.earthday.net/ecofootprint.
• The Boy in the Striped Pajamas Curriculum at www.youthfilmproject.org/documents/BOYDiscussionGuide.pdf .
• ten $500 grants for education projects, www.dosomething.org/programs/page/how-apply-teach-something-grant.