Search Institute
The rest of the quotes point to the Search
Institute website:
History of Search Institute - Part 1:
"Search Institute was founded in 1958 by Dr. Merton P. Strommen as an applied
social science research organization focused on the healthy development of young people. The institute originally focused on research regarding youth in religious settings; this mission has evolved to a broad focus on the healthy development of
all children and youth in multiple settings in community and society. ... "
History of Search Institute - Part 2:
"Merton P. Strommen... was a pioneer in the field of youth and religious research. His vision and leadership established Search Institute with the capacity and reputation to become a national leader in youth development issues.
"In 1957, when Dr. Strommen was asked by the youth directors of six
Lutheran synods to help design a new youth program, the project was a perfect fit for his dissertation plans. In 1958, he proposed a scientific study of the concerns and needs of Lutheran youth. The results ignited an interest that led Dr. Strommen to offer
survey services throughout the religious community. ... "'In 1990, we began to focus planning and long-term visioning around the concepts of positive youth development and the creation of
healthy communities for children and adolescents. The foundation of this work was the concept of
developmental assets -- 30 building blocks of healthy development --
inked to both the prevention of multiple high-risk behaviors and the promotion of school success, caring, and a variety of other
thriving indicators. "Search Institute's mission statement adopted in 1992 was as follows:
Search Institute is a nonprofit research organization founded in 1958. Our mission is to advance the well-being of children and adolescents through scientific research, evaluation, consultation, and the development of practical resources. "In 1996, ongoing research into what youth need to succeed prompted the revision of several asset categories and
expansion of the asset framework from 30 to 40 assets. "In 1997, Search Institute embarked on a three-year strategic plan and adopted its current mission statement...."
Search Institute Projects and Partners in the Faith Community: [Themes:] "• Applying research on human development, social change, spiritual development, and congregational life to the faith community.... • Examining the role of religion, faith, and spirituality in the healthy development.... • Understanding the capacities, strengths, and dynamics of diverse faith traditions and cultures in nurturing young people's Developmental Assets and spiritual growth. • Understanding the dynamics of change in the faith community.... • Engaging congregations as partners in asset-building efforts in communities and society. • Increasing congregations' ... strategies for mobilizing young people and adults as asset builders and change agents. .... [Projects:] "The Science and Theology of Spiritual Development in Childhood and Adolescence: This 18-month initiative (2003-2004) with the The John Templeton Foundation is designed to document the current state of the field of spiritual development and develop a long-term, international agenda.... "Building Assets, Strengthening Faith: An Intergenerational Survey for Congregations: ... development of a new, on-line survey of youth and adults that provides congregations with a snapshot of their strengths, challenges, and priorities.... [ Funding Partners:] The John Templeton Foundation... Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation...."Uniting Congregations for Youth Development....Funded by DeWitt Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund, UCYD was an interfaith initiative designed to equip congregations and their youth workers to build Developmental Assets in youth....
[Completed Projects:]
The Attitudes & Needs of Religious Youth Workers:
[See the last link]
The Attitudes & Needs of Religious Youth Workers: "Conclusion: "The majority of the top goals for religious youth programs -- regardless of a respondent's faith tradition -- are nonsectarian youth development goals more than doctrinal or theological ones. The majority of religious youth workers see positive youth development and faith development goals not as conflicting but as mutually supportive. The great majority would welcome training and resources that focus on key positive youth development issues such as service projects, youth leadership skills, helping youth make positive choices.... " There is considerable interest in how youth workers from different faith traditions can work together to benefit all the community's youth." The cautions religious youth workers have are that cross-faith efforts must steer clear of supporting particular faith tenets and must focus on non-sectarian issues of positive youth development. Resources, training and networking opportunities that focus non key youth and community development activities such as service projects, developing youth leadership skills, decision making, and fostering a congregation- and community-wide commitment to building these and other key youth assets are likely to be welcomed by the majority of religious youth workers."...very few religious youth workers collaborate with anyone outside their own denomination, and so building those bridges toward collaboration starts from a limited foundation...." |
