Announcements > Indian Valley Character Counts! Coalition announces results of recent “40-Assets” survey

On Thursday, April 12, 2012, the Indian Valley Character Counts! Coalition held a Community Awareness Breakfast and announced the results of its latest “40-Assets” survey of local youth.

A snapshot of youth attitudes and behaviors can be found in The Indian Valley Student Support Card (IVSSC) (PDF) which was introduced to approximately 75 community leaders from across the area at the breakfast held at Generations of Indian Valley in Souderton.

The Souderton Area School District has been a proud partner with the IVCCC for more than a decade and is dedicated to helping the Coalition meet its goals.

The Support Card illustrates the quality and the quantity of assets that young people possess in their lives. These measures of social and emotional health show how much external support youth feel from their school, family, faith community, other adults, and community. It also measures internal strengths such as character and personality traits that compel each student to make positive, healthy decisions.

The IVSCC shows that the more assets and supports a young person has, the more likely he/she is to succeed in school, make wise choices in regards to their mental, emotional, and physical health and accept the values and beliefs of people from different cultures. Also they will more likely be able to remain alcohol and drug-free, and be able to practice what are called “refusal skills” when faced with dangerous situations.

The data resulted from a survey administered to Souderton Area students in grades 8, 10, and 12 during the fall of 2011.  The survey, entitled “Profiles of Student Life: Attitudes and Behaviors” is a proven means for gauging the level of 40 different internal and external assets possessed by youth in the community.  Research has shown that youngsters who possess more assets are both more likely to engage in thriving behaviors and less likely to engage in risky behaviors.

This was the second time the survey was administered in the schools, with the first occurring in the spring of 2010.  The new data allows for a comparative analysis between the baseline year and the current year.

It is the mission of the Character Counts! Coalition to promote positive youth development by providing information, supporting programs, and strengthening community relationships that promote the principles of Character Counts! and that build assets to help youth stay healthy, safe, and drug-free.

If you would like to become involved with the IVCCC, meetings are held the second Thursday of each month at 12:00 PM at the Souderton Area School District Office. For additional information, please call 215-723-3569.