For several years, the Clarkston Coalition for Youth has attempted to bring together various segments of the community to be a positive influence on local youth.
The next step is more bold: bring the entire community together under one common slogan.
‘Clarkston: Each One Reach One’Connecting for a Better Community? was unveiled as the proposed ‘common message? at the coalition’s Nov. 6 leadership forum.
‘We hope it will fit every sector of the community, and we hope everyone can wrap their arms around it,? said coalition President Suzette Hart.
The meeting at Clarkston Middle School included almost every segment of the community, with 20 people representing local government, schools, service clubs, churches, businesses, law enforcement, parents and students.
The coalition started in the late 1990s as a way to help fight substance abuse in the community. The philosophy gradually evolved to one of promoting 40 developmental assets identified by the Minneapolis-based Search Institute as positively influencing young people’s decisions and behavior.
With a desire to avoid duplication of effort, the coalition organized the thrice-yearly leadership forum to involve ‘key stakeholders? in the community.
Among previous accomplishments are a cooperative Web site for community events (www.clarkstoncalendar.org) and a ‘hug a school? event this past year. An ongoing project is a ‘community mapping? survey involving students from Michigan State University to determine what young people desire in a supportive community.
The Nov. 7 was to be a bit different, because of the emphasis on the new ‘common message.? Previous forums have built good relationships among community groups and promotion of the ?40 assets,? but Hart said, ‘We needed a vision for the community.?
With plans to launch the campaign in January 2005, the coalition sought commitments from the various community ‘sectors? to promote not only the slogan, but also the eight categories which the Search Institute identifies as a summary of the ?40 assets.?
The categories include ‘support, empowerment, boundaries and expectations, constructive use of time, commitment to learning, positive values, social competencies and positive identity.?
To emphasize the need for cooperation and networking, parent educator Jennifer Arkwright led an exercise with individuals wearing signs representing the various ‘sectors.? With participants standing in a circle, Arkwright directed the use of a ball of yarn to develop a web by ‘connecting? various sectors.
She then used a balloon to represent a youth in need of affirmation and encouragement. With only a few strands to the web, it was easy for the balloon to fall to the ground. As the number of ‘connections? increased, the group found ‘supporting? the balloon easier.
‘We all have the ability to connect,? Arkwright said. ‘We are all connectors. It’s up to us to help communicate this to other people.?
Even before the exercise, parent Cindy Kyle said Clarkston already demonstrates that principle.
‘This community is so great because of the efforts of a lot of people nobody knows about,? she said.
Hart agreed, but urged the group to think of ways to improve the support structure.
‘I believe family is so critical, [but] I send my children out to all the places in the community where you are,? she said. ‘Every entity is critical and important.?
CMS Assistant Principal Mike Stefanski led a discussion in how various sectors can promote the new slogan. The coalition will compile information from that discussion in preparation for the January 2005 campaign.
Stefanski and Arkwright received training from the Search Institute, offered to help groups learn how to promote awareness of the ?40 assets.?
‘We’re available to help train anybody to take the message back to your sectors,? he said.
Hart said the plan is to do more than simply talk about a flashy slogan.
‘We don’t want it to just be words. We want action attached to the statement,? she said.
Clarkston High School student Amy Emery represented the National Honor Society at the forum. She said she can relate to the needs felt by young people in the community.
‘I do kind of feel disconnected,? Emery said. ‘We’re connected within our school, but outside of that I didn’t think people cared and wanted to bring us in. It’s kind of neat that so many people care and want to connect everybody.?
Emery said she will recommend full participation by the NHS and the entire student body.
‘It has to be out there. It has to be talked about. It takes everybody,? she said.
Hart said those wishing more information about the coalition’s campaign may call (248) 922-3078.