Social Capital Framework
A framework that identifies four core domains, or levers, that are essential on the pathway towards becoming a social capital promoting organization.
Become a Social Capital Promoting Organization
Youth-serving organizations and schools play an important role in supporting young people’s growth and development. Your organization likely has specific areas where you want to support youth. Whatever your organization goals are, becoming a social capital promoting organization can help achieve positive development outcomes.
Supporting youth in building and strengthening their social capital requires an intentional and inclusive focus on relationships that is fully integrated into what an organization or school already does. Schools and youth-serving organizations that do this work well are social capital promoting organizations.
What does it look like?
Search Institute has partnered with youth-serving organizations to better understand how social capital helps support positive youth outcomes, and what activities leaders and practitioners need to focus on to fully integrate social capital into the fabric of the organization.
Leon, a leader in the extended learning and community schools program in his local school district, expressed that “Ruby, who is a junior in high school, struggled navigating college applications as a first-generation student and had many discussions with me about it.”
Leon often worked with students like Ruby, who needed support with their academic and educational goals. He knew the importance of learning more about youth’s academic interests and connecting them with resources that could help them pursue those pathways. “I make a point of sharing scholarship and local college tour opportunities with youth in the district. In Ruby’s case, I also connected her with a recent alumni majoring in her field of interest. I think Ruby appreciated the connection.”
“I was overjoyed when Ana got to connect with Sofia at Netflix because I knew she aspired to work in TV” Joelle shared. As a long time youth-serving professional, Joelle leveraged her personal network as often as possible. She understood the impact connecting youth with others in her personal network had on building their career and workforce readiness.
“Excitingly, after talking to Sofia, Ana landed an internship in the Latin America Movies and TV department at Netflix.” Joelle had spent just 15 minutes texting Ana and then making the connection. She saw how this small action could make a big impact. As part of the internship, Ana made new connections and felt more invested in her career of interest.
Diane, a youth-serving organization leader, explained how their program content intentionally tried to “activate youth in thinking about their identity and to take steps to do internal work.” Diane explained that she teaches staff it is about more than just preparing youth for the workforce and higher education. “Social emotional work is foundational to our program because it is so important for youth to also learn how to navigate life as a human being.” Diane often heard from youth in the program that they learned to “tell their authentic stories” and that staff helped them share their stories with others. As one youth, Amelia, shared with her, “I don’t like to tell my story, because I don’t like for people to feel bad for me. I don’t feel like it’s a sad story, I just feel like it’s part of who I am, and it made me who I am… I realized my story isn’t finished yet, and I think this program helped me realize what I’m good at…I can tell my story in a way that people just don’t feel bad, but they realize how much I’ve overcome and how much I can contribute, if I was in their company.”
“I definitely think that having attended Sunset has helped me be more comfortable reaching out to people that are not in my network” is something youth commonly report to Mike, a youth worker at Sunset. Mike learned over the course of his career that reaching out to new people felt difficult for most youth. He found that they didn’t have the confidence, tools, or resources to approach new connections with confidence. Mike felt that an important role he could play included supporting youth in developing their voice and agency to build their network. He often did just that. As one of his youth Jorge reflected to him, “I think some of us knew it was ok to reach out to other adults, but most of us felt scared and questioned whether it could actually be done.” Mike felt proud that youth like Jorge gained more confidence to connect because of the program's influence.
The Social Capital Framework
Now that you’ve seen the ways that social capital can help young people reach their goals, you may be asking how to become a social capital promoting organization? Search Institute's Social Capital Framework introduces you and your organization to four core domains that are essential on your pathway towards becoming a social capital promoting organization.
Supporting Structures
Inputs needed to support an organization that prioritizes relationships.
Impactful Partnerships
Strong relationships with your community and other organizations who can support your mission.
Safe Space
An environment where all youth feel accepted, welcomed, and respected.
Culturally Responsive
Uses practices to promote inclusivity, diversity, and equity.
Sense of Belonging
Youth and staff feel seen and valued.
Opportunities to Explore Sparks
The opportunity to explore interests, passions, and talents.
Asset-Based Mindset
Staff believe in youth assets and potential.
Authentic Relationship Building
Staff engage in actions to create strong developmental relationships.
Brokering Skills
Staff connect youth with and facilitate access to relationships, resources, and opportunities.
Confidence and Self-Efficacy
Youth believe in their own strengths and have confidence to pursue goals.
Relational Skills
Youth have skills to build meaningful relationships.
Commitment to Paying-It-Forward
Youth are inspired to help others.
Youth Opportunity Checkup: