Search Institute

Organization Description

As the building blocks of our future, young people face many challenges as they grow into adults in today’s culture of pressure and complexities. The Search Institute strives to provide children and adolescents with the tools necessary to grow into responsible, empathetic, and healthy adults. Driven by the underlying belief that all young people deserve access to education and developmental resources, the Institute develops tools that encompass youth of all races, ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, genders, economic backgrounds, and abilities. Also behind the Institute’s mission is the concept that interactions with youth must change to reflect a culture of respect and understanding, seeing young people as a key agent of change.

To gain a greater perspective on the culture of young people today, and use this information to provide development tools to youth, the Institute works in a variety of fields:

• research and evaluation of current youth needs to determine both what young people need and how to provide it
• production of tools, resources, and services for young people, educators, families, and civic leaders to increase youth engagement in communities
• partnerships with foundations, schools, communities, and corporations to increase commitments to youth

Since 1958, the Search Institute has served nearly 600 communities across 45 states and 5 Canadian provinces. Primary schools, higher education institutions, faith-based organizations, youth groups, social-service programs, families, businesses, and government groups have all participated in Search Institute programs. The Institute has touched the lives of millions of people through presentations, trainings, and surveys, in addition to smaller workshops.

“Search Institute is a leading global innovator in discovering what children and adolescents need to become caring, healthy, and responsible adults. Drawing on extensive research, Search Institute brings hopeful solutions to pressing challenges in the lives of young people and their communities.”