The hope adults hold for youth

    I remember a time when my hopes and dreams consisted of such things as being a professional ice-skater, a teacher and a break-dancer. I spent hours fostering these dreams whether it was practicing my spin on the ice, lining up stuffed animals to teach or moon walking until my legs hurt. I was sure my big break was imminent.     I would like to say my confidence at the age of 5 was a character trait but the truth is that a great deal of it came from the hope the adults in my life held for me.
    They believed in my dreams as odd and unrealistic as they may have seemed to them at the time. Even more than believing in my dreams they took the time to bring me to the ice-skating rink, provided me the tools I needed to instruct a class full of stuffed animals and spent countless hours watching Michael Jackson videos to learn all the moves with me. It is this kind of encouragement that made me believe not only in all of those dreams but in my potential as an individual.
    Young people today have dreams and hopes of their own. Ask a young person in your life about their dreams, encourage them to pursue them and set high but reasonable expectations to help them reach their goals. High Expectations, Asset 16, of Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets, the qualities, experiences, and relationships that help young people grow up healthy, caring, and responsible.
    Research shows that young people have higher self-esteem, try harder, and do better in school when they have adults who hold out high hopes for them in their lives. Discuss with youth your hopes and expectations for their lives. You may not see eye to eye but it is important to let them know you believe they are capable of great things. I can assure you my break-dancing dream was not shared by the adults in my life but they supported me unconditionally. I eventually grew out of my desire to bust a move although probably not fast enough as we lived for years with a family pet named Michael “Brandon” Jackson.
    The reality of my story is that I never became any of the hopes or dreams I mentioned. I have put my ice skating, teaching and dancing skills to use at various times throughout my journey but they have not been my destination. I consider those skills and the adults who had high hopes for them a blessing. For with the passing of the years I realize that having not had adults who believed, I too would have lost the ability to hope, and dream.
    It is in support that we find the courage to step out unafraid and reach as far and wide as our imaginations will take us. Let a child open your imagination and you could be the believer that makes their dreams happen.
    To learn more about the 40 Developmental Assets and ideas for helping young people build them? Visit www.search-institute.org/assets.
    This article was brought to you by Aroostook Substance Abuse Prevention. For more information about ASAP and 40 Developmental Assets contact Allison Heidorn, project assistant at 540-6772 or visit www.asapcoalition.com.