There will be no large public rally to launch the campaign, nor will there be a ‘thermometer? to measure its progress.
The effort is so massive that a five-week period is needed to kick off ‘Each One Reach One…Connecting for a Better Community.?
The Clarkston Coalition for Youth, with support from local schools, churches, businesses and service organizations, has issued a call for everyone to become active in the ‘community initiative? introduced last November.
The coalition wants individuals to develop better relationships through specific activities. Some of the actions are as simple as a smile or a thank-you note. The resulting ‘connections,? however, will promote ?40 healthy assets? in the community.
‘I think anybody who has any kind of investment in our community ? and very few haven’t ? why wouldn’t they want to participate?? said Suzette Hart, president of the coalition.
More than a feel-good campaign, the ‘healthy assets? came from research conducted by the Minneapolis-based Search Institute into experiences and relationships needed for young people to be well-developed adults.
Such assets include everything from affirmation and personal self-worth to clear rules and consequences for breaking the rules. While targeted specifically at youth, the initiative’s organizers believe they can still be modeled by and for adults.
‘Everybody needs those things,? said Jennifer Arkwright, a local parent educator who has received training from the Search Institute. ‘You can apply them to any age.?
The ?40 assets? are grouped into eight broad categories, which will be promoted in a variety of forms during the kickoff period.
Street light banners in downtown Clarkston will publicize some of the ‘community needs? with suggested actions to promote them. A special calendar is being sent home with students, will be promoted in a variety of school and community newsletters, and appears on page 23A of this edition of The Clarkston News.
Each day of the kickoff period includes a specific suggested action, such as the wearing of Clarkston-related clothing (or school colors), writing notes of encouragement or thanks, making eye contact and saying hello to people on the street, and attending community activities.
The key is personal contact, Hart said.
‘When we reflect on our lives, we recognize it has been other people who have helped us get to the places we are in our lives,? she said.
At a Nov. 6 leadership forum, organizers used a ‘web? of yarn to illustrate the strength which can be created when more ‘connections? are created. The initiative is intended to create the same thing in the community.
‘If we become intentional about these connections, we will make an impact,? Hart said.
Organizers admit the impact may not be easily or quickly seen. Because the ultimate goal is to create an entire generation of ‘healthy? adults, Hart said it might be considered ‘an 18-year plan.?
‘It’s not a program; it’s an approach,? Arkwright said. ‘It’s very difficult to measure. I already have a good feeling about my community.?
On the other hand, Arkwright predicts there may be a marked change in some individuals.
‘Before, they would not acknowledge you on the street, and now they will,? she said.
Mike Stefanski, assistant principal at Clarkston Middle School and another coalition trainer, said school parents and students are being recruited to help. The kickoff calendar is being sent home with students in their ‘Friday folders,? and school newsletters will also carry information about the initiative.
Building representatives will help promote ‘connections? in other ways, and Stefanski believes some current student projects may be expanded to include the entire community.
For example, one current exercise has students writing letters of appreciation to a school staff member. That may be expanded to include letters to other members of the community.
‘Now we’re making that link outside the school, not just inside the school,? Stefanski said.
Charity projects conducted by students could become more powerful if everyone in the community joined in, Stefanski said, noting current efforts to aid tsunami victims in Asia as an example.
‘Everybody is doing something, but if everybody does the same thing, wouldn’t that be a powerful thing in our community??
The ‘connecting? message is also being communicated through the Clarkston Area Chamber of Commerce newsletter, local cable television and ‘e-mail blasts? to various members of the community.
In addition, Hart, Arkwright and Stafanski continue to offer their time to present details of the ?40 assets? and overall initiative to service clubs, business associations and other groups. Hart recently met with local pastors and has plans to meet with a group of child care providers.
After the kickoff, the coalition has other activities planned, including the ‘Clarkston Connects Expo? on April 16. A similar event last year focused on summer children’s activities, but Hart said plans are to expand this year’s program to include other family-friendly resources.
In the meantime, Hart is excited about the response so far and the potential down the road.
‘I don’t think we’ve ever had an opportunity for this kind of collective endeavor,? she said.
To schedule a presentation to a group or to get more information on the initiative, call the coalition at (248) 922-3004.