by Grace Zolnosky

This is the seventh in a series of articles revolving around the topics that will be presented at the Leadership Training Institute Seminar, Creating Sustainable Communities for the 21st Century: Building on the Foundations of Your Community, that will be held January 26-28 at the Renaissance Plantation Hotel in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

In the dictionary, ?capital? is defined as wealth in the form of money or property.

Human capital is our human resource, considered in terms of human contributions to an economy. Our people are our greatest capital, and communities are moving to harvest this valuable commodity. People are the assets necessary for growth and enhancement of any business or organizations, of any community. These assets, through our investment, can increase in value and the dividends are considerable.

Industry, business, social and community leaders are acutely aware of how much they rely on human capital. Economic development depends on the investment that cities and towns make in their citizens. Providing a skilled and competent work force can influence business expansion and growth, but it can be difficult, especially in rural communities.

Strategies that provide for the enhancement of human capital in our communities are imperative. Communities are prioritizing, and human capital is at the top of the list.  Education, leadership training, health care programs, asset development, character education, community involvement and mentors are all tools that can help to build motivation and empower people to succeed and feel valued.

Substance and alcohol abuse, domestic violence, literacy, income level, these are all influences on the potential of human capital. It is important to provide interventions and prevention strategies to address issues such as these. Human capital infrastructure, programs and opportunities that may prove to overcome obstacles for individuals and families, make it possible to increase their performance capacity.

?Treat people as if they were what they ought to be, and you help them to become what they are capable of being.? ~ Johann Wolfgang Van Goethe

Youth are sometimes the forgotten human capital. An investment in a young person is money in the bank. Developing the potential within a young person proves essential to the atmosphere of a safe and healthy community. Effective youth services are ammunition in the battle to promote public safety.

Effective prevention strategies work to engage youth in positive opportunities. Kids do not go out looking for trouble, but I believe they will find it if they have nothing better to do. Communities offering protective factors, such as positive afterschool opportunities, caring adult mentors, tutors, legitimate community involvement and leadership opportunities have the ability to effect public safety as well as increase the inherent value and capability of young people.

Communities all across this country are investing in human capital. Sometimes the investment comes following a crisis, or a series of incidents that draws attention to a serious gap in services.

Evanston, Wyo., nestled in the southwest corner of the state, is just such a community. After several teen suicides and a dramatic increase in the abuse of substances and alcohol in the community, the city took action.

A stakeholders committee made up of a diverse group of citizens worked over the course of one year to develop a program that would be effective for the unique youth population. The program developed was Youth Opportunities Unlimited!, an afterschool program for adolescents.

Following the development, the community came together to provide the financing and support necessary to implement the program. Since the inception of this division, the city has implemented a Municipal Court-based Juvenile Drug Court. The Youth Services Division now provides a continuum of services, prevention through intervention.

This investment in human capital has proven to be effective. Youth who are struggling with alcohol and substance abuse have been allowed to stay in school because of their participation in the Juvenile Drug Court. Many young people have graduated successfully from this program, clean and sober once again. Youth members of the afterschool program are becoming leaders, achieving academically, socially thriving and are safe in those high risk hours.

As Robert Kennedy stated, ?Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.? 

Creating a safer, stronger, sustainable community requires that communities change the way they do business. Prioritizing human capital means changing the way that we think and the choices that we make, but it is worthwhile in the end.

Grace Zolnosky is the youth services coordinator for the City of Evanston, Wyo., where she developed and implemented the Youth Drug and Alcohol Court (YDAC). Zolnosky currently serves on the Community Youth Coalition, the Wyoming Drug Court Association, the Wyoming Youth Development Collaborative, the Coalition for a Safe and Drug Free Environment and the Planned Approach to Community Health.

Registration ends soon. For more information call (202) 626-3170 or visit the NLC website at www.nlc.org.