Asset Champion Network -  If you've ever smiled at a young person, gave a word of encouragement, offered a safe place or stimulating activities, or in any way supported, advocated for, or taught a young person or his/her family, then you are an Asset Champion. 

The Asset Champion Network is another opportunity for people who work or live with youth to learn about how we are helping to build the 40 Developmental Assets in our young people. Youth workers, coaches, parents, administrators of youth programs and business people are invited to come and share information about your asset building activities, and learn what others in Onondaga County are doing.

Research shows that the more assets (support, empowerment, boundaries and expectations, constructive use of time, commitment to learning, positive values, social competencies, positive identity) a young person has, the more likely he/she will refrain from risky behavior and engage in thriving behaviors. 

If you are unfamiliar with the 40 Developmental Assets, click on the Asset Building button on the left hand side of this page.

Onondaga County is proud to promote the Healthy Communities, Healthy Youth Iniative to help insure that all young people have access to the supports, services and opportunities they need to build assets. Please join us in our efforts by sharing your work, knowledge and experience about youth and their families at our bi-monthly Breakfast For Champions from 8:00am until 9:30am.  Light refreshments will be served. 


Upcoming dates and locations: 

Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Location to be determined.

 Parenting Partners is a new eight week parenting program being offered by Catholic Charities with help from the Syracuse/Onondaga County Youth Bureau.  This strength based program helps parents to identify their own best qualities to improve communication and help build the Developmental Assets in their children.

The Syracuse/Onondaga County Youth Bureau promotes parenting programs as part of our Creating A Parenting Rich Community movement.  A Parenting Rich Community is one in which parents have the internal and external resources needed to support the optimal development of all children at every stage of life, and where the job of parenting is supported and celebrated by the community.

Contact Bethany Creaser at Catholic Charities (424-1800) for more information.

The Central New York Out of School Time Network is a coalition of community members dedicated to promoting, providing and increasing opportunities for youth to engage in quality programs and experiences before and after school. The Network is a partnership of public, private, and not-for-profit agencies passionate in their mission to ensure that all children have access to out of school time resources in their communities.

For more information about the Network, contact Marnie Annese at 315-435-2362x115 or by email at mannese@ongov.net

The Central New York Out of School Time Network is an active member of the Afterschool Alliance and an affiliate of the New York State Afterschool Network. 

  
 
New York Parents Are Talking (NYPAT) is a network of parent educators that meets quarterly to share resources, challenges and successes in the world of parent education. The group includes folks who have worked with parents for over 30 years and those brand new to the field. Our meetings are informal, informative, and always practical. Join us! 

For more information, contact Jane Arras at REACH CNY at 424-0009 or by email at jarras@familytiesnetwork.org

 Real Life. Real Talk. 
Supporting Parents in Raising Sexually Healthy Kids

In America, we have a strange, unbalanced view of sex.  It is everywhere - on T.V., in movies, videos and magazines - and is used to sell every thing from jeans to yogurt. Yet, it is also taboo. Real Life. Real Talk. is a creative initiative that works toward social change through a broad coalition of business and community leaders, community organizations, faith communities, doctors and educators.  Real Life. Real Talk. is designed to encourage healthy dialogue about sexuality among parents, teens, families and communities.  

For more information, contact Real Life. Real Talk. at 1120 East Genesee Street, Syracuse, NY. 13210, by phone at 315-475-5540, or visit the website www.realliferealtalk.org