Denver, CO - Eight champions for youth were honored at the 2001 Outstanding Asset Builders Awards Luncheon, Thursday, June 21, 2001 at the Hilton Denver Tech Center, 7801 E. Orchard Road in Greenwood Village. Three organizations and five individuals, including one youth, were honored for their outstanding achievements in infusing the 40 developmental assets into their work with youth and families. The Awards Luncheon was the signature event of the Strengthening Lives: Asset Champions on the Move Conference hosted by Assets for Colorado Youth, a nonprofit organization that promotes a strength-based approach to youth development.

The 40 developmental assets are common-sense values and experiences that help young people to grow up healthy, caring and responsible. They include positive relationships, skills and self-perceptions - such as a supportive family, the ability to plan and make decisions and having a sense of purpose.
Organization recipients of 2001 Outstanding Asset Builder Awards were:

• The Cherry Creek School District;
  
• The Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition; and
  
• Girl Scout Councils of Colorado.

Individual awardees include:

• Max Calkins, (Rotary), Colorado Springs;
  
• Chico Martinez, Seniors, Inc., Trinidad;
  
• Joe Johnson, school counselor, Frisco;
  
• Marlene De la Rosa, Head Start Policy Council, Denver; and
  
• Kendra Youngren, recent graduate of University High School, Greeley.

The award winners were identified through a statewide nomination process involving more than 50 active asset-building organizations. The awardees were selected because of their effectiveness in infusing the asset philosophy into their work with children and adolescents. "It is such an honor to recognize these asset champions," says Maria Guajardo Lucero, executive director of Assets for Colorado Youth. "Each awardee has been very successful in taking the 40 assets and turning the framework into concrete, intentional actions that set the foundation for long-term positive youth development."

Assets for Colorado Youth is a statewide initiative building developmental assets - essential elements that research has shown all young people need to succeed. Assets for Colorado Youth provides leadership, training, and innovative asset building resources in to strengthen the lives of individuals, families, organizations and communities in Colorado and nationally.

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