Spending time with kids helps them thrive.

Help Our Children Thrive

The YMCA of Santa Clara Valley strives to help adults connect with children and youth in a positive way that helps young people to thrive. We believe there are essential elements that are crucial to the healthy development of young people. We call these elements “Developmental Assets.” They are an integral part of all our programs and services.

Most people think of assets in terms of property or financial resources. However, Developmental Assets are the positive relationships, opportunities, values and skills that young people need to grow up caring and responsible.

The Search Institute identified the 40 developmental assets as the essential building blocks of healthy child and youth development - including adult role models, positive peer influence, caring school climates and a sense that community values youth. With input from diverse community members, Project Cornerstone has added a 41st asset “positive cultural identity" to the framework we use.

The Search Institute's research shows that youth need 31 or more of the 41 assets to thrive. Our 2004-2005 Survey Data shows Santa Clara County youth have an average of 18.8 assets. The YMCA of Santa Clara Valley is committed to helping all of our community's youth develop into caring and responsible adults by building Developmental Assets into the framework of all of our youth and teen programs.

Our strong partnership with Project Cornerstone helps to empower our staff and members to make a difference by being asset builders for children and youth.

For more information about Developmental Assets please click here.