Know and respect differences in perceptions, preferences, and personalities. Back to top of page Ten Tips for Communities by Jody Kretzman, Asset Based Community Development 1. Always start with the gifts, talents, knowledge and skills of young people - never with their needs or problems. Find out what they like to do and are good at doing. Always lift up the unique individual, never the category to which the young person belongs.
Every community is filled with useful opportunities for young people to contribute.
There is no community, institution or organization that cannot find a role for a young person. Always distinguish between real community building work and games or fakes, because young people know the difference. Fight age segregation. Work to overcome the isolation of young people. Avoid aggregating people, especially young people, by what they don't have.