--- title: "Developmental Relationships: When Prejudice Undermines Relationships | Search Institute" description: Communities can fail their poor and immigrant children of color as well as others who are disenfranchised by those who show hostility and prejudice. --- 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 November 12, 2019 2 Minutes Read By : [Mackenzie Steinberg](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/author/mackenzie-steinberg) 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) # Developmental Relationships: When Prejudice Undermines Relationships [![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%2Fprejudice-undermines-relationships%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.searchinstitute.org%2Fprejudice-undermines-relationships%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%2Fprejudice-undermines-relationships%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%2Fprejudice-undermines-relationships%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [Developmental Relationships](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/developmental-relationships) [Equity and Inclusion (DEI)](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/equity-and-inclusion-dei) [Diversity](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/diversity) # Developmental Relationships: When Prejudice Undermines Relationships By [Mackenzie Steinberg](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/author/mackenzie-steinberg) November 11 2019 2 Minutes Read One of the reasons I decided to apply to be an [AmeriCorps VISTA](https://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps) member at Search Institute is its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Here at Search Institute, our vision is that all young people have what they need to thrive. *All* young people. We embrace diverse perspectives, experiences, ways of learning, and forms of wisdom. We strive to understand systems of access, opportunity, justice, and power in order to eliminate barriers, recognize strengths, and meet the needs of all young people. For us, all means *all,* regardless of citizenship status. That’s why I was upset to learn about recent events in Worthington, Minnesota, regarding “undocumented youth” and their relationships with adults in the community.    Search Institute’s current work focuses on [developmental relationships](https://www.search-institute.org/), particularly between youth and adults. Our research shows that young people do better when they experience strong, positive relationships in all parts of their lives. Ideally, all adults in a school, from bus drivers to social studies teachers to the principal, would intentionally build developmental relationships with young people so that they have that much more access to a better quality of life.   The small town of Worthington in Southwest Minnesota has seen tremendous growth in its immigrant population over the past two decades, growing from 16 percent foreign born in 2000 to approximately one-third foreign born in 2016. This growth is substantially greater than most other non-metro areas in Minnesota, according to [The Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/immigration/immigrant-kids-fill-this-towns-schools-their-bus-driver-resents-the-system-that-brought-them-here/2019/09/22/861c0fb4-d321-11e9-9610-fb56c5522e1c_story.html?wpisrc=al_trending_now__alert-national&wpmk=1#comments-wrapper).  As with many small towns in Minnesota, this huge change evokes mixed reactions from the predominantly white long-time residents. A recent article from *The Washington Post* titled “[Immigrant Kids Fill This Town’s School.  Their Bus Driver Is Leading the Backlash](https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/immigration/immigrant-kids-fill-this-towns-schools-their-bus-driver-resents-the-system-that-brought-them-here/2019/09/22/861c0fb4-d321-11e9-9610-fb56c5522e1c_story.html?wpisrc=al_trending_now__alert-national&wpmk=1#comments-wrapper)” captures the range of opinions from Worthington residents.  Many residents are not happy with the influx of immigrant youth because of higher taxes and overflowing public schools. One key community member really stuck out to me. Don Brink is a 71-year-old Vietnam War veteran school bus driver who shuttles this ever-changing and diverse population to and from school. Brink has expressed his opinion to the media about the youth in his community on multiple occasions, telling the Minneapolis-based [*City Pages*](http://www.citypages.com/news/washington-post-profiles-worthingtons-anti-refugee-bus-driver/561127131) *newspaper* that he “hopes for another ICE raid” to “get rid of the illegals” and that he doesn’t greet the “strange kids I’ve never seen before.” In contrast, a small handful of Spanish-speaking teachers often go above and beyond for their immigrant students by staying late, arriving early, and even purchasing much-needed groceries for their students, nurturing strong bonds between the students and adults. These teachers are nurturing relationships with these students that not only meet their needs but also welcome them into the community. Yet these teachers can only do so much to offset the harmful effects of the prejudice they experience they step on Mr. Brink’s bus each morning and afternoon.  Most immigrants in this town, many of whom are unaccompanied minors, have come to Worthington to seek oasis from extremely difficult circumstances in their home countries. Many have incredible stories of bravery and sacrifice that led them to Minnesota in hopes for a better life. They arrived with disadvantages in terms of creating developmental relationships with important adults due to language barriers, separation from family members, and a lack of opportunities due to poverty. They do not deserve those challenges to be exacerbated by hostility and prejudice from closed-minded individuals like Don Brink, who refuse to welcome them or respect their dignity. Every child deserves to learn, grow, and develop relationships that can help them be and become their best selves. Far too often, communities fail their poor and immigrant children of color as well as others who are disenfranchised. To be sure, there are many teachers, social workers, advocates, and others who go beyond the call of duty to welcome them, support them, advocate for them, and open up possibilities for their futures. However, those efforts are undermined when others do not share those commitments to welcome and support all—really *all*—young people to be and become their best selves.  We can—and must—do better.   [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/6693290/baa7cd6b-280f-49c1-83f0-4ac0275a4c1f.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/6693290/baa7cd6b-280f-49c1-83f0-4ac0275a4c1f) [Developmental Relationships, ](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/developmental-relationships) [Equity and Inclusion (DEI), ](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/equity-and-inclusion-dei) [Diversity, ](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/diversity) #### Mackenzie Steinberg Mackenzie Steinberg, Research and Development Communications VISTA, Search Institute Author ## Recommended For You [![](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/cultivating-connections-blog1-2.png)](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/positive-relationships-in-minnesota) [Developmental Relationships](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/developmental-relationships) [Youth Programs](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/youth-programs) [Research](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/research) 3 Min Read ### [Restart with Relationships: For Most Minnesota Youth, Strong Youth-Adult Relationships Weren’t Present Even Before the Pandemic](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/positive-relationships-in-minnesota) [searchinstitute February 09 2021](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/author/searchinstitute) [![](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/combatting-youth-loneliness.jpg)](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/surviving-to-thriving-developmental-relationships-are-the-antidote-to-youth-loneliness) [Provide Support](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/provide-support) [Developmental Relationships](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/developmental-relationships) [Express Care](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/express-care) 4 Min Read ### [Surviving to Thriving: Developmental Relationships Are the Antidote to Youth Loneliness](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/surviving-to-thriving-developmental-relationships-are-the-antidote-to-youth-loneliness) [Search Institute June 14 2023](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/author/search-institute) [![](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Students-with-books.jpg)](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/expanding-the-vision-for-peer-relationships) [Social Capital](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/social-capital) [Developmental Relationships](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/developmental-relationships) 6 Min Read ### [Expanding the Vision for Peer Relationships](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/expanding-the-vision-for-peer-relationships) [Search Institute March 22 2023](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/author/search-institute) ![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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