Relationship-Rich Spaces for All Youth
Relationships with caring adults are especially important for young people, and yet data routinely show that they don’t experience them as often or as intensively as they should.
The relational culture of an organization plays an essential role in ensuring that all young people, regardless of background or circumstances, have the nurturing, support, and guidance they need to learn, grow, and thrive.
Search Institute partnered with the Carlson Family Foundation to conduct the State of Relationships study to further the understanding of what’s working and what’s not in creating relationship-rich spaces for all youth.
The Creating Relationship-Rich Spaces for All Youth series provide school and out-of-school time (OST) program staff and leaders with opportunities to reflect on the key findings of the study and how they might work to create a more relationship-rich space for the youth that they serve.
The series focus on critical aspects of becoming a relationship-rich organization:
- Supporting Structures
- Intentional Relational Climate
- Inclusive Relational Climate
- Equitable Relational Climate
Resources
Relationship-Rich Spaces for All Youth
Resource Audience
Creating Relationship-Rich Spaces for All Youth
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This study explored what schools and OST programs are doing to build strong youth-adult relationships. Learn more about the study here.
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The relational culture of an organization, how rooted it is in relationships, grows out of the supporting structures that prioritize and make space for relationship-building. Supporting structures may emphasize the importance of relationships, and recognizing staff who are great relationship builders. Download the Supporting Structures brief.
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Developmentally influential relationships do not happen by accident. Rather, we need to build those relationships with young people on purpose and with explicit attention. This often involves thinking ahead, being deeply conscious of being in a relational moment, and regularly reflecting about ways to improve the connection. Download the Intentional Relational Climate brief.
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The desire to belong and feel included are fundamental human needs. An inclusive relational climate prioritizes meeting this need, and making all youth feel seen and welcome in the space. Download the Inclusive Relational Climate brief.
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Relationship-rich organizations center and continuously nurture equity in their relationship-building work. Leveraging relationships to meet youth where they are, and responding to their particular needs, is critical for bolstering individual young people’s developmental trajectories and advancing positive social change. Download the Equitable Relational Climate brief.
More Resources To Use Across Your Organization
![SV Fishbone Meta](https://d2pck61xhq74q6.cloudfront.net/_920x480_crop_center-center_none/SV-Fishbone-Meta.jpg)
Activity
Co-construct a Rubric with the Fishbone
Co-Construct a Rubric with the Fishbone
![Parent Child13 420x340](https://d2pck61xhq74q6.cloudfront.net/Resources-Hub/Familes-and-Networks/_920x480_crop_center-center_none/ParentChild13_420x340.jpeg)
Tool / Playbook
Reframing Family Engagement
A self-reflection tool from Search Institute outlining six shifts of emphasis that can energize how schools and organizations engage with families.
![2024 Stateof DA Meta](https://d2pck61xhq74q6.cloudfront.net/_920x480_crop_center-center_none/2024-StateofDA-Meta.png)
Webinar
State of Developmental Assets Webinar 2024
Join us as we explore the State of Developmental Assets in this annual webinar.
Related Resources for School and Youth Organization Leaders
![Teacher Child9 420x340](https://d2pck61xhq74q6.cloudfront.net/Resources-Hub/Framework-for-Action/_920x480_crop_center-center_none/TeacherChild9_420x340.jpeg)
Report / Brief
Developmental Relationships Framework
The developmental relationships framework identifies five strategies to strengthen and deepen the relationships that help young people grow and thrive.
![Training4 420x340](https://d2pck61xhq74q6.cloudfront.net/Resources-Hub/Class-or-Group-Setting/_920x480_crop_center-center_none/Training4_420x340.jpeg)
Activity
Three Wishes Magic Wand
Participants take turns sharing a wish they have for their life, and the group writes down positive words of encouragement for the person who shared.
![Collaboration5 420x340](https://d2pck61xhq74q6.cloudfront.net/Resources-Hub/Class-or-Group-Setting/_920x480_crop_center-center_none/Collaboration5_420x340.jpeg)
Activity
So You Think You Can Listen?
A relationship-building activity where participants take turns sharing about themselves and sharing positive words about the person who shares.