CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

The YMCA of Greater Cincinnati will hosts its annual Character Awards dinner that honors teens and adults whose service to the community demonstrates the values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility.

The YMCA has been committed to building character in young people for over 150 years. In 1997, the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati introduced the Character Development Initiative designed to achieve the following goals and objectives:

• To help youth develop decision making skills
  
• To help youth develop critical thinking skills
  
• To help youth reflect on their beliefs about the right thing to do
  
• To encourage youth to use their skills to better the community
  
• To recognize youth who demonstrate the YMCA four core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility

The scope of our Character Development Initiative is targeted to several audiences: youth, principals and teachers, parents and families, and the community as a whole. Community-wide recognition of positive character development is integral to affecting change. The YMCA focuses on young people to instill character from an early age. To address character development needs throughout the community, the YMCA offers support to secondary and private school partners through a comprehensive community-wide support network.

Programs:

Asset Builder's Alliance
A coalition of agencies that focus attention on strengthening social development assets in young people, particularly positive character traits.

Youth In City Government
An educational program that prepares young people for responsible roles in the American democratic process by providing guidance, training, and experience in the theory and practice of determining public policy.

Leaders Club
A volunteer program for teens that focuses on community service, social development, and leadership training.