--- title: 3 Ways to Build a Developmental Community | Search Institute description: Schools. Afterschool programs. Churches. Mental health services. Mentoring programs. Family-serving organizations. Juvenile justice services. Youth groups. The list goes on. With so many different groups serving young people in a variety of ways, it can be challenging to implement a shared vision, shared goals, and a shared strategy for youth development in a community. In [...] --- Theme + Migration = $1489 (Pay for the Theme Only). [Learn More.](https://www.lpd-themes.com/migration) [![hlogo](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hs-fs/hubfs/hlogo.webp?width=187&height=90&name=hlogo.webp "hlogo")](https://searchinstitute.org) - [BLOG](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/) - [DONATE](https://searchinstitute.org/donate) - [CONTACT](https://searchinstitute.org/contact) - [RESEARCH](https://searchinstitute.org/research) - [SOLUTIONS](https://searchinstitute.org/solutions) - [INSIGHTS](https://searchinstitute.org/insights) - [FUNDERS & PARTNERS](https://searchinstitute.org/funders-partners) - [ABOUT](https://searchinstitute.org/about) [RESOURCE HUB](https://searchinstitute.org/resources-hub) [Why Relationships Matter and How to Get Started](https://searchinstitute.org/relationships-matter-get-started) Understand the foundations of developmental relationships and the power you have to strengthen those relationships for all young people to learn and grow. [Resources Tailored to Your Role](https://searchinstitute.org/resources-hub/search?query=&page=1&configure%5BenablePersonalization%5D=true&configure%5BuserToken%5D=anonymous-2aec4746-2f17-46a7-871b-a10e30f1f2f7&configure%5BclickAnalytics%5D=true&hierarchicalMenu%5Btaxonomy.lvl0%5D=Resource%20Audience) Tools to support everyone who works with young people — educators, youth program workers, schools and youth program leaders, and community members [Resources Related to the Setting Where Relationships Take Place](https://searchinstitute.org/resources-hub/search?query=&page=1&configure%5BenablePersonalization%5D=true&configure%5BuserToken%5D=anonymous-2aec4746-2f17-46a7-871b-a10e30f1f2f7&configure%5BclickAnalytics%5D=true&hierarchicalMenu%5Btaxonomy.lvl0%5D=Setting) Young people thrive when they experience a broader web of relationships, build strong relationships in a class or program, at home, and across your organization. [Resources on Key Topics](https://searchinstitute.org/resources-hub/search?query=&page=1&configure%5BenablePersonalization%5D=true&configure%5BuserToken%5D=anonymous-2aec4746-2f17-46a7-871b-a10e30f1f2f7&configure%5BclickAnalytics%5D=true&hierarchicalMenu%5Btaxonomy.lvl0%5D=Topics) Relationships are key across several disciplines including family systems, social and emotional development, social capital, and community development. [Resources in Your Favorite Format](https://searchinstitute.org/resources-hub/search?resourceTypes=Activity,Book,Guide,Journal%20Article,Measure%20/%20Assessment%20/%20Evaluation,Relational%20Practice,Report%20/%20Brief,Tool%20/%20Playbook,Video) Explore tools, frameworks, activities, guides, measures, and other research-based resources to build strong relationships with all young people. [![hlogo](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hs-fs/hubfs/hlogo.webp?width=187&height=90&name=hlogo.webp "hlogo")](https://searchinstitute.org) [![hlogo](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hs-fs/hubfs/hlogo.webp?width=187&height=90&name=hlogo.webp "hlogo")](https://searchinstitute.org) - BLOG - SHOP - DONATE - CONTACT - [RESEARCH](https://searchinstitute.org/research) - [SOLUTIONS](https://searchinstitute.org/solutions) - [INSIGHTS](https://searchinstitute.org/insights) - [FUNDERS & PARTNERS](https://searchinstitute.org/funders-partners) - [ABOUT](https://searchinstitute.org/about) [![hlogo](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hs-fs/hubfs/hlogo.webp?width=187&height=90&name=hlogo.webp "hlogo")](https://searchinstitute.org) - [RESEARCH](https://searchinstitute.org/research) - [SOLUTIONS](https://searchinstitute.org/solutions) - [INSIGHTS](https://searchinstitute.org/insights) - [FUNDERS & PARTNERS](https://searchinstitute.org/funders-partners) - [ABOUT](https://searchinstitute.org/about) - [RESOURCE HUB](https://searchinstitute.org/resources-hub) # Blog September 23, 2015 2 Minutes Read By : [searchinstitute](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/author/searchinstitute) Topics Developmental Relationships Research Developmental Assets Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Youth Programs Provide Support Family Engagement Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) SI Spotlight Social Capital Share Power Solutions Youth Thriving Education / School Expand Possibilities Student Voice Challenge Growth Summer Scholars Thriving Youth Voice Express Care Sparks Data Insights Faith Field Partner Spotlight LGBTQ+ Workshops Relationship Ready Schools Conversation Starters Sports Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) # 3 Ways to Build a Developmental Community [![Share on twitter](https://7528302.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528302/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/x-twitter-color.png?width=24&name=x-twitter-color.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.searchinstitute.org%2F3-ways-build-developmental-community%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.searchinstitute.org%2F3-ways-build-developmental-community%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=) [![Share on linkedin](https://7528302.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528302/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/linkedin-color.png?width=24&name=linkedin-color.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.searchinstitute.org%2F3-ways-build-developmental-community%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on facebook](https://7528309.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528309/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/facebook-color.png?width=24&name=facebook-color.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.searchinstitute.org%2F3-ways-build-developmental-community%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) # 3 Ways to Build a Developmental Community By [searchinstitute](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/author/searchinstitute) September 22 2015 2 Minutes Read ![The Georgetown Project](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/georgetown-project-2.png?width=300&name=georgetown-project-2.png "The Georgetown Project") Schools. Afterschool programs. Churches. Mental health services. Mentoring programs. Family-serving organizations. Juvenile justice services. Youth groups. The list goes on. **With so many different groups serving young people in a variety of ways, it can be challenging to implement a shared vision, shared goals, and a shared strategy for youth development in a community.** In a recent interview, Executive Director of [The Georgetown Project](http://www.georgetownproject.org/) Leslie Janca discussed how her Texas city of 53,000 people is home to over 30 youth-serving organizations and how they work together to help all young people in the community succeed. The following are three ways Janca shared about how Georgetown works together to create a community where young people are valued and thrive. **1) Creating a Unified Vision** The Georgetown Project is intentional about how they present the community’s vision for youth development. By aligning all of the work done on behalf of youth in the community with the [40 Developmental Assets](https://www.search-institute.org/our-research/development-assets/)®, Georgetown’s various youth organizations are able to communicate with one another using a common language. “The assets have been identified as the framework that our youth development initiatives are planned around. It’s just woven through the fabric of what we do,” Janca explained. “It’s a positive vision for youth that people can rally around.” To further establish this united vision for the community, The Georgetown Project also publishes a report called a [“Snapshot of Georgetown Children & Youth”](http://www.georgetownproject.org/subprograms.php?id=11) every few years. The publication brings together a wealth of knowledge about young people in Georgetown, including [Developmental Assets Profile](https://www.search-institute.org/surveys/choosing-a-survey/dap/) results, health and safety data, and college and career readiness information. It is the hope of The Georgetown Project that the report helps community members look at collaboration through a new lens and elevate the importance of youth development to a common community vision for successful young people. **2) Sharing Resources** Often youth organizations struggle to maintain the knowledgeable staff and up-to-date strategies necessary to reach community-wide youth development goals. For this reason, The Georgetown Projects acts as the “backbone” of the youth development community, and shares new youth development research and strategies with youth organizations throughout their community. “It’s been really fun sharing the new Search Institute research on relationships and people have been receptive to it,” said Janca. “We have been able to pull partners together to give feedback on new research and it resonates really well.” The Georgetown Project also helps bring community organizations together for conferences and workshops whenever possible, such as the annual Williamson County Mental Health in Schools Conference. This conference incorporates the Developmental Assets, and recently President and CEO Dr. Kent Pekel came to speak at the conference about emerging Search Institute research on [developmental relationships](https://www.search-institute.org/what-we-study/developmental-relationships). Dr. Pekel also presented Perseverance Process workshops in Georgetown last fall with schools and out-of-school time providers. “We’ve enjoyed having Kent down a few times this year and have really enjoyed continuing to work with Search,” explained Janca. **3) Measuring Results** Last fall, The Georgetown Project used the [Developmental Assets Profile](https://www.search-institute.org/surveys/choosing-a-survey/dap/) (DAP) across several out-of-school time programs as a common measurement instrument. “Although we’re very collaborative in Georgetown, really focusing on after school providers using data is new,” said Janca. “When we got the DAP results back last fall, we used the data for program quality improvement and identifying what we were going to work on going forward.” When asked what the future hold for The Georgetown Project, Janca indicated that they are moving toward incorporating more measurement into the community work. “As an organization, we’re looking at how we can build our capacity to be a source for data about our kids,” she said. “We plan to do more things that we can measure over time collectively—not just individually as organizations—and be a little more focused on clear goals and objectives.” The Georgetown Project uses these strategies to help the youth-serving organizations in their community prepare children and youth to thrive. Now we’d love to hear from you. **What strategies does your community utilize to ensure that all young people thrive?** #### searchinstitute Author ## Recommended For You 2 Min Read ### [Building Relationships & Supporting Youth: A Positive Approach to Juvenile Justice](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/building-relationships-supporting-youth-positive-approach-juvenile-justice) [searchinstitute August 17 2015](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/author/searchinstitute) [![](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/b475848e-c166-43a9-9315-b944d196e7de-1.jpg)](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/embracing-young-peoples-capacity-to-lead) 4 Min Read ### [Embracing Young People’s Capacity to Lead](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/embracing-young-peoples-capacity-to-lead) [Joanna Williams, Ph.D., M.S.Ed. March 12 2024](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/author/joanna-williams-ph-d-m-s-ed-) 1 Min Read ### [Bringing Positive Youth Development to the Community](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/bringing-positive-youth-development-community) [searchinstitute February 23 2016](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/author/searchinstitute) ![search-footerlogo](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hubfs/search-footerlogo.png "search-footerlogo") ## Search Institute 2550 University Avenue West Suite 200N St. Paul, MN 55114 800.888.7828 612.376.8955 i[nfo@searchinstitute.org](mailto:info@searchinstitute.org) - [Research](https://searchinstitute.org/research) - [Solutions](https://searchinstitute.org/solutions) - [Insights](https://searchinstitute.org/insights) - [Funders & Partners](https://searchinstitute.org/funders-partners) - [About](https://searchinstitute.org/about) - [Blog](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/) - [Donate](https://searchinstitute.org/donate) - [Contact](https://searchinstitute.org/contact) - [Subscribe to our Newsletter](https://searchinstitute.org/subscribe-to-our-enewsletter) - [Cancellations, Returns & Refunds](https://searchinstitute.org/cancellations-returns-refunds) - [Public Records](https://searchinstitute.org/nonprofit-status-public-records) - [Permissions Request Form](https://survey.search-institute.org/s3/Permissions-Request-Form) - [Keep Connected](http://keepconnected.searchinstitute.org/) ©2024 Search Institute | [Terms of Use](https://www.search-institute.org/terms-of-use/) Search Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable corporation. 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