CCDO
CCDO
There is no one accepted set of principles for the development of young people. In my book, In Whose Best Interest?, we propose a youth development framework that we call CCDO -- Connections, Continuity, Dignity, and Opportunity.
The Connectedness, Continuity, Dignity, and Opportunity (CCDO) principles provide practitioners with a straightforward framework for practicing positive youth development with young people who are at risk.
CCDO is proactive, holistic and transcends time, context and personality because it is an unchanging set of core principles that guides our actions. CONNECTEDNESS: Strong, positive relationships with others; especially with one person. CONTINUITY: A sense of continuous belonging to a group, family or spiritual entity. DIGNITY: Respect and courtesy OPPORTUNITY: The chance to capitalize on one’s strength
Connections-- Connections underscores the need for all young people to belong, to be a part of a family, a group, to feel wanted, loved and valued. Our brains are hardwired to connect, and to be part of a group. The Quakers note the following:
More important than who I am, is whose I am? To Whom do I belong?"
The link below is a video marketing the Sheraton Hotel chain. What is interesting about the video is how little they actually market their hotel, and how much they emphasize the need for humans to belong and to connect.
Those of us who are educators, foster parents, and others in the helping professions ought to be as committed and mindful about making all young people belong, as are those who manage the Sheraton Hotel chain. Kudos to Sheraton.
Opportunity-- This principle represents that need for mastery, for skill development, to make a difference, to be good at something, to be valued for talents, gifts and special interests. Victor Frankl championed the need for humans to have purpose in order to have meaning. The opportunity principle promotes the idea and the practice of going on a talent hunt, an interest search so that all young people can find their destiny.
One day my then eight year daughter Nori had finished up a fast pitch softball game in sweltering heat. After the game, all of the parents and their children scattered to find the soothing cool of air conditioned cars, homes and maybe a little ice cream.
Nori however had different ideas, as she implored me to practice with her after the game. “Come on, dad, hit me some grounders, please dad, please.” Her mother Lori shot me a “let’s get out of here look.” Nodding in agreement, I tried to encourage Nori to leave. “Nori, look around you, no one else is here, everyone has either gone, or is leaving!” “But dad,” she replied, “that’s the point, everyone else is gone!” I hit her some grounders.
Below is a video from The Way to Happiness Foundation that reflects the human drive to be competent, to work hard, and take advantage of and create an opportunity.
The link below is a picture of Nori pitching in the Little League State Championship game in Marquette, Michigan. Alas, her team lost 2-1, but we are proud of Nori and her team.
