Community
Spring 2013
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Join the Movement!
Daneya Jacobs Youth Health Specialist
IM40:YHP improves the health and academic success of our youth
T
here’s a movement happening in Delaware. It’s called the Young Health Program: IM40™, and it’s working to help Delaware youth become healthy and successful adults. Launched in January 2012 by AstraZeneca in partnership with the United Way, and based on the highly successful 40 Developmental Assets model created by the Search Institute, the program engages parents, teachers, coaches, mentors, and other caring adults to work towards the shared goal of increasing the assets of youth in their communities. Research shows that young people ages 12-15 are especially vulnerable to health and learning risks that can make them susceptible to negative behaviors. Evidence also shows that the more developmental assets – positive internal and external influences and values – a young person reports having, the less likely he or she is to make harmful choices today and in the future. Children & Families First is proud to be part of the YHP:IM40™ team, serving as a Community Mobilizing Organization on Wilmington’s Eastside. We are reaching out to both youth and adults to build assets AND build the movement. Our Youth Health Specialist, the warm and enthusiastic Daneya Jacobs, is out and about on the Eastside every day, spreading the IM40™ message to children and adults alike. She recently worked with a group of 6th through 8th graders at Bayard Middle School. She had the children complete the Developmental Assets Questionnaire, a tool that identifies each child’s IM40™ assets. Daneya and the kids then set goals to gain more assets. Daneya explains that after this initial meeting, she will return and meet again with the kids in smaller groups to discuss where they lack assets and identify where they can gain assets. Some kids may not be able to identify existing external assets, so Daneya will help them discover ways to create their own assets in
their environment. Daneya explains, “It’s all about empowerment. Once these children feel like they have assets and are assets…they begin to continue to help themselves, and their peers.” Daneya also works with the school to incorporate the IM40™ movement into programs they already have in place. “I work with the teachers and professionals to help them move from thinking about programs to building relationships,” says Daneya. “When they look at a child, they now see a solution, and not a problem. The child also sees themselves as someone who is able to contribute to society. The child is then confident, empowered and is able to share that confidence with their peers. Jacobi Simmons, a teacher at Bayard, has seen a distinct improvement in the children since the IM40™ program has been implemented. “You get to see the kids evolve. There’s a change in self-confidence. How they carry themselves is different,” says Simmons. Tiffany Murray, also of Bayard, finds the children have a greater sensitivity to themselves and others. “They have a greater ability to empathize, and their trust in their teachers has grown,” says Murray. The children notice a difference too. Sixth grader Di’zana has a lot of assets, and it’s clear she will be a success. She recognizes her assets and has a strong sense of self, stating proudly: “I believe in myself!” She knows how to be an asset builder by becoming involved in her community, seeking out role models, and helping others. You can be an asset builder too – for yourself and for the children in your community. To learn more about the movement, visit IM40.org or get in touch with Daneya at daneya.jacobs@cffde.org.
Bayard Middle School students who participated in the IM40 YHP program (from Left): Alesha, Richiah, Kelvin, Tracey, Di’zara, Kenise, James with their teacher Ms. Tiffany Murray