Ignite Your Spark

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Ignite Your Spark 🔥

spark spirit week 2023

We are hosting our annual Spark Spirit Week on September 8-15

Our goal this year is to encourage our youth to explore their interests and start finding their sparks. Do all youth in Bartholomew County have a spark? Do they have caring adults to support them in their spark exploration and development? We believe now is the time to ask, listen, and work together so that every child, teen, and young adult can thrive with their own spark in their lives.

POWER OF PURPOSE - IGNITE YOUR SPARK

According to research from Search Institute, a spark is what people are really passionate about doing, an activity that unleashes their energy and joy, one that may allow them to express themselves and make their own unique contributions to the world.

Why is it important for youth to know their sparks?

Research from Search Institute shows that when young people know their sparks and have adult support in nurturing them, they are more likely to have a sense of purpose, to be socially competent, physically healthy, and to do better in school.

spark activity Booklet

Step-by-step Spark activities for you to do at your own pace - including valuable resources for young people and families to actively explore their spark.

  • Activities designed for grades 3-12 with additional suggestions for younger children.

  • For Schools, parents/caregivers, and youth leaders,

  • What’s Inside:

    • Tips on Teaching and Talking About Sparks

    • Activity 1: What is a Spark?

    • Activity 2: Exploring Sparks

    • Activity 3: Using Sparks to Help the Community

    • Activity 4: Using Sparks to Help the Community - Make It Happen!

    • Resources for Parents & Caregivers

spark spirit week schedule

Check the schedule to the right for more Spark opportunities in the community. CYD and our partner organizations will be hosting events and activities all week long! There’s fun for the whole family. Thank you to our partners for helping us make this possible:

SPARK SPIRIT WEEK IS MADE POSSIBLE BY GRANTS AND INVESTMENTS FROM:

  • Indiana Department of Health

  • Bartholomew County Youth Services Center

  • Project Aware

  • Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative

ignite your spark- CYD Youth Ambassador Video Series

Council for Youth Development Bartholomew County integrates Search Institute’s Developmental Assets® framework as an asset-based approach to youth prevention efforts. This Ignite Your Spark - CYD Youth Ambassador video series content combines Developmental Asset® principles with evidence-based substance misuse prevention curriculum.

DESIGNED BY KIDS FOR KIDS

Special thanks to CYD Youth Ambassadors 2020-2021 and Youth Ambassadors 2022-2023 for writing and producing these prevention videos in this series designed for grade 6 -12 with context based on high school student perspective. We encourage educators and parents to download the resources and view the videos together in order to spark deeper conversations about the topics below.

YA SPARK VIDEO: HEALTH AND WELLNESS

What’s something that you struggle with that affects your mental or physical health? What’s the first step you can take to overcome this struggle?

Video by Abe Fuller, Diana Hernandez Ortiz, and Valeria Juarez

YA SPARK VIDEO: MEDIA AND HEALTH

How do you usually feel after using social media or other platforms online? Who do you follow the most on social media or online? How do they positively or negatively affect your mental health?

Video by Carlos Fabian, Graham Kennedy, and Lillian Landis

YA SPARK VIDEO: VAPING AND HEALTH

Do you know the true cost of a vaping addiction? What healthier coping skills could you choose to relieve stress and anxiety? Need some fun posters created by our Youth Ambassadors to help educate other teens?

Video by Bo Crough, Bella Kilps, Haylee Cain, Paula Ramos Perez, Eden Knight, Lesli Flores, Dane Tibbs, and Cayden Lynott