VISION

Building a community where no child is hungry, hurt, alone or rejected and

where all children and youth believe they are loved, respected, and treated with dignity.

BRIEF HISTORY In the late 1980’s, community groups were

focused on economic development. The Georgetown Project is modeled after the

same tradition, focusing on human development, by identifying and closing gaps in services for youth and families.

By 1995, in an exploding community whose population had grown 60% in 5 years, there were growing concerns over drugs, alcohol, and vandalism on the part of Georgetown youth.

A task force including representatives from the City, County, GISD, Southwestern University, UT School of Social Work, law enforcement, the Ministerial Alliance, Georgetown Hospital, private health care providers, and local businesses met together to find solutions.

Formed in 1997, this community-wide coalition immediately set out to promote active programs and services for all youth in Georgetown.

Today… TGP continues as a catalyst organization that

has, through several concurrent projects, established collaborative networks to build solutions that create a healthier community for our youth and children.

Programs serve over 7,000 children, youth, and families each year, and

TGP provides leadership at the community-wide level through a network of 40 agencies which meets monthly to identify needs and gaps in services and plan collaboratively on how to fill the gaps.

Developmental Assets 101

Using the Search Institute Model for Community and Schools…

”the responsibility for building community is shared by all and requires collective effort”

Definition of a Developmental Asset

Factors that are critical for young people’s successful growth and development.

Building blocks to help kids grow up healthy, caring, and responsible.

“Much of the work of asset building occurs for free. It is the stuff people do in their everyday lives.” -Peter L. Benson, Ph.D.

Founder and President - The Search Institute

What you need to know

Young people are important. They are a valuable resource.

Youth today are struggling to find their place in our communities.

We know what kids need to thrive. The 40 assets are essential to success.

YOU MATTER! Each of us can play a role in building assets for and with young people.

The Asset Building Difference [learning to frame positively]

From... Problem focused Youth as problems Reactive Blaming Professionals Crisis management Competition Despair

To... Positive Focus Youth as resources Proactive Claim responsibility Everyone Vision Building Cooperation Hope

Eight Categories of Development Assets

Creating Caring Relationships A Chance to Contribute Rules and Consistent

Consequences Time Well Spent

Eight Categories of Development Assets

Learning for a Lifetime Internal compass Life Skills Power, Purpose and Promise

How Many Assets Children Have (Based on Search Data)

42%

30%

8%

20%

11-20 assets21-30 assets31-40 assets0-10 assets

Our youth should have at least 31 assets, the average is only 18

Our youth should have at least 31 assets, the average is only 18

Average Number of Assets

(by Grade 6-12, Search Data)

0

5

10

15

20

25

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Avg.

Older youth have fewer assets than younger.

Boys have fewer assets (16.5) than girls (19.5)

Older youth have fewer assets than younger.

Boys have fewer assets (16.5) than girls (19.5)

More Assets Mean Fewer Problems

Our Challenge is to strengthen assets

in all kids!

Resists Danger

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

0 to 10 11 to 20 21 to 30 31 to 40

Avoids doing things that are dangerous

Avoids doing things that are dangerous

Maintains Good Health

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

0 to 10 11 to 20 21 to 30 31 to 40

Pays attention to healthy nutrition and exercise

Pays attention to healthy nutrition and exercise

Succeeds in School

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

0 to 10 11 to 20 21 to 30 31 to 40

Gets mostly A’s on report cards

Gets mostly A’s on report cards

Fewer Assets Means More Problems

(High-risk Behaviors)

The Search data suggests high risk includes use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs early sexual activity depression, suicide school problems violence illegal activity

Problem Alcohol Use

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

0 to 10 11 TO 20 21 TO 30 31 TO 40

Used three times in last 30 days,

or gotten drunk once or more in last week

Used three times in last 30 days,

or gotten drunk once or more in last week

Violence

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

0 to 10 11 to 20 21 to 30 31 to 40

Has engaged in three or more acts of fighting, hitting, injuring a person, carrying a weapon, or threatening physical

harm in past 12 months

Has engaged in three or more acts of fighting, hitting, injuring a person, carrying a weapon, or threatening physical

harm in past 12 months

School Problems

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

0 to 10 11 to 20 21 TO 30 31 TO 40

Has skipped school two ore more times in the last four weeks and /or has below a C average

Has skipped school two ore more times in the last four weeks and /or has below a C average

Key Themes in Asset Building

Relationships are key Everyone has a role in helping youth

develop All kids are our kids Youth need to receive consistent

messages about values and their potential from many sectors of the community.

Moving beyond prevention and intervention to building strengths

Youth leadership involved.

Our goal is to create community conditions that protect, nurture, and realize the full potential of every child and youth in our community.

To achieve this, we have formed a groundbreaking partnership bringing together business, government, faith communities, education, young and old.

Together we have identified the strengths and needs of our community.

We’re mobilizing human and financial resources to building upon our collective strengths to fill the gaps.

TGP CollaborativeCommunity Partners

Georgetown CRCGeorgetown Housing AuthorityGeorgetown Parks and RecGeorgetown Police Dept.Girl Scouts of AmericaGISD - Council of PTAsGISD--ASAPGISD--At RiskGISD--ESEGISD--HomelessGISD--MigrantGISD--Nurses--Healthy/SafetyGISD--SAILGISD--Service LearningGISD--Special Ed. Good Works ConsultingHope AllianceLife Steps

Lone Star Circle of CareNorthwind FarmPIE Mentor ProgramPregnancy Help CenterR.O.C.K.Salvation ArmySouthwestern UniversitySTARRYSupport The BusThe Caring PlaceThe Georgetown ProjectWBC-Head startWC4C Child CareWILCO Health DistrictWilliamson County MuseumWilliamson County SunWilliamsonCountyUnited Way

Angel Food, Inc.Annunciation Maternity HomeAssistance LeagueBoy ScoutsBoys' and Girls' ClubBridges to Growth - TGPBright Future For YouCamp AgapeCASA of Williamson Co.Catholic CharitiesChild Advocacy CenterChurchesCommunities in SchoolsCommunity Impact NewsD & L PrintingDSHS ECI PrideESC13 Homeless Program

What we do… In addition to The Georgetown

Project Collaborative and providing leadership at the community-wide level to identify needs and gaps in service and developing solutions…

Programming spans

From children’s literacy groups, parent education, training for childcare providers and a free lending library of early childhood books and toys through the Bridges To Growth Resource Center. (1,000 served each year. 800 adults and 200 children served in 2009.)

To a 4-week summer food and enrichment camp experience for low-income K-5th children in GISD. (60-80 kids each summer)

Programming spans

To after school programming for at-risk Middle School students providing academic and enrichment activities, that has led to improved grades, better school attendance, fewer discipline referrals, and better TAKS scores. (200-300 each year)

Programming spans

To substance abuse prevention through an awareness campaign targeting parents and teens and providing healthy alternative activities at Georgetown Teen Center. (Information to 3,000 parents & teens / 200 students attend G-TEAM alternative activities held at the teen center.)

To service learning, promoting diversity, and leadership development at the high school level through the Youth Action Council.

Programming spans To service learning, promoting diversity, and

leadership development at the high school level through the Youth Action Council. Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Service Day National & Global Youth Service Day Youth Summits Semester of Service(200 – 300 teens participate annually)

Programming spans

To matching Southwestern University students in service learning, gaining job skills and building Developmental Assets in Georgetown young people through our Community Interactive Partnership (C.I.P.)

(5-10 students work with 300 local children and youth each year)

Programming spans Sites for C.I.P. students have

included: GISD Schools Bridges To Growth Ride On Center for Kids Georgetown Library Georgetown Teen Center Getsemani & Willie Hall Centers Boys & Girls Club

How are we funded?

Contracts City of Georgetown Williamson County

Grants Governmental Private Foundations

Annual Giving Special Events

Spring – A Taste of Georgetown

Fall – Program Fundraisers

A Taste of Georgetown

Dinner Parties

What Can You Do?How Can You Help?

Recognize your part in supporting Georgetown children and youth.

Build Developmental Assets in youth. Give of your time – Volunteer! Give of your talent – In-kind services. Give of your till - $$ is always welcome!

What’s ahead….

Homelessness in Georgetown Approximately 200 GISD students are

homeless. TGP is the lead organization addressing this

issue in Georgetown. TGP is committed to developing a teen

homeless transitional shelter or drop-in center, already named Eagles Nest, to provide hope and support to stay in school for 50-75 teens.

Funding is needed to make it a reality.

Toody Byrd, Talks and Talks and Talks and Talks

“Through the years, I have found out something

about kids—they all basically have the same needs.

They have a need to be loved. They have a need to achieve something and

get recognition for it. They have a great need to be accepted

however they are…”

Leslie Janca, Executive Director

(512) 943-5198

Jancal @georgetownproject.com