“`Ike aku, `ike mai, kokua aku, kokua mai. Pela ihola ka nohona `ohana.”
Protective Factors
“Recognize and be recognized, help and be helped, such is family life.”
This Hawaiian ‘olelo no’ (proverb) reminds us of
the importance of the family unit, and that
each person matters in the family.
Ohana is central to community life. Teens and pre-teens need to know that there is one adult in their life who believes in them and loves them unconditionally. That one caring adult does not have to be a parent or relative – it can be any adult in that young person’s life: relatives, neighbors, school teachers and staff, coaches, spiritual leaders, or community members. That one person can be you, and that can make all the difference.
Great relationships don’t just happen – we all need to nurture them. We can protect our children and youth by the simple actions we take every day: in our home, school, and community. We can all become extended ohana and help young people learn to “recognize and be recognized; help and be helped” and grow into resilient and capable young adults.
Challenge yourself to take one action, every day, for one young person in your life. You can make a difference!
For a comprehensive list of the 40 development assets identified by the Search Institute, please click here
Here are some of things you can do meet the needs of our growing youth
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