Caring Youth Recognition

The annual Caring Youth Recognition involves the cities of Golden Valley, Hopkins, and Minnetonka, and the Hopkins and Minnetonka School Districts. It is designed to recognize the caring contributions of young people to our communities. The 2010 event recognized 30 local youth who have given outstanding service to others (more on 2010 event, including recipients).

The 2011 Caring Youth Recognition will be held Thursday, March 17, 6:30 pm, at the Minnetonka Community Center.

Description of a Caring Youth

Each participating organization establishes its own criteria but nominates a young person, generally in grades 7–12, who has been unselfishly involved in a cause or situation that benefits other people. The Caring Youth Recognition is designed to honor young people who demonstrate caring by reaching out to others, or whose day-to-day lifestyles reflect uncommon concern for others.

The Caring Youth Recognition supports the attitude of giving without expectation of reward or recognition. It has nothing to do with achievements in scholastics and athletics, or other accomplishments. It encourages an attitude of recognizing the needs of others and responding to those needs in a personal, caring way.

Examples of caring behavior include:

• reaching out to someone experiencing a difficult or troubling situation
• listening to or befriending someone in need
• responding to the pain of others at a critical time
• showing an awareness of others and doing something about it

How to Participate

There are several ways to participate in the Caring Youth Recognition:

• Nominate a young person to receive this recognition, and if they are selected, designate someone from your organization to present the recognition to the recipient. If possible, please select a youth who lives within the corporate city limits of Golden Valley, Hopkins, or Minnetonka.
• If you do not want to nominate a youth directly, consider becoming a co-sponsoring organization. For example, an elementary school may want to nominate a high school youth to receive the recognition, and your organization would become the co-sponsor. If interested in being matched as a co-sponsor with another organization, please contact one of the Caring Youth Recognition Planning Committee members.

Nominations for 2011 will close January 28, 2011. Should you have any questions about the event, contact Jacque Larson, Community Relations Manager, City of Minnetonka, at 952-939-8207.

Background

The Caring Youth Recognition is a sincere form of flattery to St Louis Park and the St Louis Park School District. In 1990 the St Louis Park Youth Development Committee, in cooperation with the faith community and youth organizations, developed a community-wide event designed to recognize local youth who demonstrated through their behavior and/or lifestyles that they care about others. In 1995, the Hopkins and Minnetonka communities were invited to participate.

Hopkins School District 270 and Minnetonka School District 276 led their communities in a discussion about the positive assets young people need to become caring, compassionate, giving, and involved adults. The cities of Golden Valley, Hopkins, and Minnetonka then joined the school districts in organizing a Caring Youth Recognition event. The City of Minnetonka is in the unique position of being served by three school districts, with Hopkins and Minnetonka being the largest, while the three major communities in Hopkins School District 270 are Golden Valley, Hopkins, and Minnetonka. The boundaries for this event are the corporate city limits for those three communities.

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