Hello from beautiful Montana:

I am part of a forum in Montana that has repeatedly received the award for "100 Best Communities for young people"  As a community we have assumed the charge of Taking a Village to Raise a Child. We want our children to grow up healthy and resilient.  And so a number of organizations and individuals collaborate and work together by being proactive in supporting youth.

If Every Adult…

There are approximately 40,000 adults for every 16,000 kids in the US according to the 2000 census.  Based on those numbers, it would take so little effort to change the lives of the young people in our neighborhoods, schools, churches and homes.

If every adult cared for and reached out to just two kids or young adults, then each child would have five caring adults in their lives.

Encourage Confidence

Many people are hesitant to get involved because they assume it will mean a commitment of time and money.  Actually, it is the random encounters with adults who offer encouragement that can change the direction for a teen or young adult. By complimenting the  good values and character traits you have witnessed will help them become a living part of the child.

It is the compliment on how neatly the bag boy stacked the cans in the bottom of the bag, not on the bread. It is thanking the child you notice putting the trash in the receptacle. It is the smile or wave or peek-a-boo game to a toddler in the grocery store who is clearly testing his mother's last nerve.

The Gift of Acknowledgment

    If you treat an individual..as if he were what he ought to be and could be,
 he will become what he ought to be and could be~~Goethe

Everyone longs to recognized and affirmed as having value in life.  Children need this support from significant adults in their lives.  They hunger to know that they are a part of the "tribe.

If you have the time and talent to share, please contribute to the lives of others on a regular basis. If you have limited time, at least notice the youth and comment on the good things they do.

There is no doubt about it, when adults see the best in their children and the children in their circle of influence, those affirmations are integrated into the hearts and minds of the youth.

Thank You for all you do.

In gratitude,

Judy H. Wright aka Auntie Artichoke, family relationship coach and author
http://www.ArtichokePress.com   where you will find a free eBook on Use Encouraging Words

http://www.EncourageSelfConfidence.com  for a new book on building self confidence in yourself and modeling it for others. Check it out. You will be glad you did.

Mentor and Teach Young People- They Need You in Their Lives
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