Welcome and History

In April 2009, the Chief of Police Jack Plummer - through the new chaplains program - presented the idea of all youth leaders (school system, churches, and any and all service and community groups) meeting together for the purpose of 1) building relationships 2) encouraging one another and 3) discovering the potential of collaborative efforts. Four youth leaders took on the project and began making contacts. We had our first meeting June 1, 2009. Among the group represented were several churches, the school system, the city council, SPROG, CFUH, Hope Unlimited, Young Life, YMCA, and Club 44.

In our discussions, we used Search Institute's 40 Developmental Assets as a common language and framework for how we might work together. Search Institute has been researching what helps develop healthy and successful youth for over 50 years. They also work with communities around the world who are committed to the shared vision of developing healthy youth through an initiative called Healthy Communities*Healthy Youth. Each community's effort looks different but the common thread among them all are people willing to work together to educate and engage their communities in asset building for all youth.

At our second meeting on August 24, 2009, we adopted the name Kirkwood Asset Builders and discussed ideas for generating some interest at the 2009 Greentree Festival. We believe that, by collaborting, we can have a more powerful voice for and a greater impact on youth throughout Kirkwood than we can as individual groups. Our next step is to recruit an initiator team to help develop Kirkwood Asset Builders. If you want more information or have questions, email djohnson@kirkwoodbaptist.org