Over the last six months several community agencies have been working together to create a local movement to increase awareness of Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets throughout the Eastern Panhandle. Together, with the support of the Family Resource Center, the United Way of the Eastern Panhandle, East Ridge Health Systems, Catholic Charities, RESA 8, Children’s Home Society of West Virginia and the Morgan County Partnership, the JAM: Join the Assets Movement was established. The JAM Steering Committee is a part of the Family Resource Network’s Health and Human Services Collaborative of the Eastern Panhandle’s (HHSC) “Kids in Transition” Collaborative.

The JAM collaborative has been hard at work bringing together stakeholders from the human services, education, faith-based, law enforcement, and business community to help create an “Assets Building Community.” In 1990, Search Institute released a framework of 40 Developmental Assets which identifies a set of skills, experiences, relationships, and behaviors that enable young people to develop into successful and contributing adults. The assets are the building blocks of healthy development, regardless of a child’s background, gender or socio-economic status. The more developmental assets a young person has, the less likely they are to engage in risk-taking behaviors, such as drug and alcohol use, violence and sexual activities.

To enhance awareness and knowledge of the JAM Movement, the collaborative will host a conference on Friday, March 11th from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Holiday Inn in Martinsburg. The Conference will feature presentations on “Positive Youth Development”, the “Nurtured Heart Approach”, “Relational Asset Development” and others. Keynoting the event will be the winner of the NBC TV Show, America’s Got Talent, Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr.

Additionally, in support of the work of the collaborative, Landau will perform at a benefit concert later that evening in conjunction with former lead vocalists of the Temptations, Platters and Drifters as special guests. The concert will take place at The Living Room, located at Foxcroft Towne Center in Martinsburg, at 8 p.m. Ticket prices range from $40 for Premier 1 (VIP) seating which includes a Meet & Greet and Photo Opportunity with Landau, $35 for Premier 2 Seating, and $25 for reserved seating.

Conference registration for a cost of $40 per attendee can be found at www.uwayep.org/our-work/community-solutions/40-developmental-assets/ as well as Concert Tickets which are on sale now.