An Asset Lab is a school or youth service agency committed to positioning Developmental Assets at the center of its environment, its staff and participant relationships, as well as, its programs and practices. These sites, with teams comprised of staff, youth and, often parents, examine how their agencies can build assets through a combination of assessment, planning, professional development and peer learning. Asset Labs push the asset framework deeper in unique ways, whether by implementing "invisible mentoring" so that all youth in a site are matched up with a caring adult, or by youth leadership teams creating a teacher report card system. To help these powerful ideas germinate, Asset Labs receive a wide range of technical assistance that includes training, stipends and support from a peer network of Asset Lab leaders. Ultimately, some Asset Labs may become "hubs" for Developmental Assets in their communities. Long term goals also include the creation of toolkits and best practices guides for replicating the work in other urban environments.
Lissette Resto-Brooks, Asset Lab coach, and Shadia Marji
from the Arab-American Support Center, work on mapping
out the agency’s vision.