Coalition for Bedford Youth (CBY) Fall Cleanup

(Pictured above- Coalition for Bedford Youth members assisting with fall clean up of Camp Allen this past November. Pictured are from left to right Nathan Barthram, Noah Barthram, Isabel O’Brien and Maggie Thompson)

The Coalition for Bedford Youth (CBY) is involved in many local community activities including the fall clean up of Camp Allen in Bedford before it closes for the winter. Camp Allen is a comprehensive summer camp for people with special needs and extraordinary challenges. Special thanks to the Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation who, for many years, has sponsored this fall clean up with a $500 donation.

CBY has its roots in the “40 Developmental Assets” identified by the Search Institute. These assets have a powerful, positive impact on young people. Children and teenagers who have high levels of these assets get involved in fewer risky behaviors and are much more likely to exhibit the positive values, such as leadership, good health, diversity, and success in school. CBY incorporates these assets (e.g. family and school support, communication, positive peer influence, self-esteem, integrity, personal power, service to others) in the meetings, and works on building these assets within youth through different types of leadership activities and community service.

Stories about people who have overcome incredible odds to make a difference or achieve a dream abound throughout history. It’s important to have goals and dreams, but what do you do when the going gets tough? It’s important to model a positive attitude, seek solutions to problems, and keep moving toward your goal. Studies show when people envision themselves reaching their goals, they’re more likely to make them happen. Positive View of Personal Future is Asset 40 of Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets. Research shows that young people who are optimistic about the future have better relationships with their parents, increased self-esteem, and decreased emotional or behavioral problems, such as depression and violence. About 72 percent of young people, ages 11–18, are optimistic about their personal future, according to Search Institute surveys. Since young people are our future adults, it’s important to help them realize the positive aspects of their lives now and in the years to come.

To build this asset, it is important that young people have a sense of hope. They need to learn that a bad day, failed test, break-up, or loss of a loved one doesn’t mean the future is without hope. When bad things happen or mistakes occur, help young people focus on solutions or positive aspects of the situation instead of problems.

CBY youth usually meet once every two weeks on Wednesdays from 6 to 7:30 pm at the Ross Lurgio Media Center. There is no policy that requires members to attend all CBY events and meetings. They can help out whenever their schedule allows it year round.This flexible policy is what makes this organization so unique.

To learn more about CBY visit our website, www.cbynh.org.

To learn more about Search Institute, the 40 Developmental Assets and acquire ideas for helping young people build these assets, visit www.search-institute.org.