The family is where such relationships and expectations first develop for many children. Even though poor family dynamics are implicated in placing people at risk for violence, many families are creating caring, supportive environments for children that make youth resilient and safe. When asked what is working in Salinas, Marli Melton, Associate Director at Community Foundation for Monterey County replied that “Lots of families are doing a good job.” She also described how the family is an asset that can not be replaced by anything else, “No program can do the job of a family”" Salinas has numerous active parents groups that have shown an incredible commitment to creating a safe environment for their children and the entire community. Families, including parent groups, grandparents, older siblings, aunts and uncles, are key assets to recognize and include in any efforts to improve outcomes for children and youth.

It is clear from resiliency studies that the community as well as the family plays a critical role. For example, the number of significant non-parental adult relationships a child has is a significant predictor of a successful transition to adulthood. Parents, teachers and community members who hold clearly stated expectations regarding children and young people’s behavior help protect the young people from risk. When family rules and expectations are consistent with and supported by the key influences on young people—school, peers, the media, and the larger community—they are buffered from risk even more.42

Bonnie Benard, Director of Resiliency Associates, who conducted resiliency training for the Federal Office for Safe and Drug Free Schools for nearly ten years emphasizes that resiliency grows less out of what we do than how we do it.43 As such, she suggests that shifting to a resiliency approach requires a fundamental change in the ways communities operate—respecting the notion that every interaction, no matter what the focus, represents the opportunity for participation and power of members of the community.44

John McKnight, a researcher from Northwestern University, has developed a community development model based on the resilience of communities rather than the traditional needs-driven approach. He explains that a needs-based approach views a community as a list of problems and usually directs funding to service providers to come in and fix the problems. The focus is on survival, rather than serious change or community development.45 Whereas a capacity focused, or resiliency-based, approach looks for all the strengths of a community including the gifts of individuals, citizen’s associations, and local institutions, and builds upon these assets to mobilize for development. In this sense, community members highlight and maximize the strengths of their own communities.

Identifying the strengths, or potential strengths, in a community can be done through a technique called asset mapping. Recently, communities have utilized asset-mapping as a tool for violence prevention, getting youth involved to map out the existing and potential sites for youth in the community. This process allows a community to envision how its strengths can make positive change.46 For example, churches in the community are noted as potential sites for child care programs, grocery stores and firehouses are identified as safe havens where children can count on adult assistance, and businesses are recognized for their potential in job training. Salinas has a committed Youth Commission who could organize such an effort for Salinas. A Youth Commission member described that “We are concerned about our own peers, and our City, that is why we are here. We have a lot of ideas and potential that needs to be tapped into.”

Utilizing assets such as parents, media, faith communities, local businesses, and schools, the Salinas community has a history of actively addressing violence in innovative ways. There are examples of community groups that have successfully organized to make Salinas’ streets and parks safe. Parents’ groups have prevented alcohol outlets from opening near schools, and neighborhood watch teams have worked with police to increase safety in their neighborhoods.

There also are many examples of positive interagency collaboration. As one Core Group member described, “this is an energized community that can bring people together pretty quickly.” For example, the Violent Injury Prevention Coalition (VIPC) which began five years ago as a volunteer coalition made up of various community partners has become a cornerstone in the community’s efforts to prevent violence. Also, the broad participation of the community in the developing of this framework represents the willingness to come together to form a strong alliance for preventing violence.

Often, schools are the most resource-rich settings in the neighborhood. Yet, they are unused 65% of the time.47 Full-service schools utilize the full capacity of schools by offering classes and events for the surrounding community, and can become a central resource for the community. The Healthy Start program is an example of school centered services that offer support to parents and families which can make the school feel more like a center for the local community. Alisal Community School in Salinas is an example of how, by offering support and resources to the parents, there has been a great deal of success in getting parents involved, which is often a struggle for many schools. The colleges and university of the region are also assets to recognize which offer a great deal to Salinas and could provide even more.

Businesses are part of the fabric of the community. As a result, they have a vested interest in violence prevention and in Salinas, and they want to be a part of the solution. They are concerned because the cumulative effect of violence and related problems results in a community climate that will not support the evolution of Salinas’ economic environment. In addition, businesses may be staffed by community members. When the community is healthy, businesses are more likely to be successful. Currently, businesses participate in and support youth sports, community nonprofits, and have resources that may assist in other community programs. Business representatives have expressed their interest in continuing to share their resources, and want to know how the community will benefit. Business leaders have been a part of this framework development, illustrating their commitment to taking part
in creating opportunities for youth in Salinas.

The local media in Salinas has been involved in programs promoting peace, worked with local organizations to promote parent education about media, and supported other community programs. The local media is involved in local violence prevention programs and supports other community programs by announcing programs or covering positive events in the news. The cable industry has worked with national PTA and Girl Scouts to promote parent education about media and educate them on program ratings and V-chip technology for use in controlling kids’ access to all forms of violent media.

By creating opportunities for increased resiliency and minimizing exposure to risk factors, Salinas aims to be a compassionate community and provide youth and their families with abundant opportunities and resources.
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