Hand Up, Not a Hand Out

There are a number of different “Hand Up Not A Hand Out” programs that you can subscribe to.  The Downtown Sacramento project is focused on reducing panhandling in downtown Sacramento by encouraging compassionate folks to donate to a trusted provider who will support the hungry and the homeless.  The Stand Down Program in San Diego works with homeless veterans which focuses on giving veterans a safe haven until they can reconnect with the world.  The federal Lifeline program is there to help families stay in touch, especially in these challenging economic times.  All of these programs are filling existing needs.  They are intervening in the lives of people who need support and a hand-up.

Entrusted Legacy takes a look at this challenge from a different vantage point:  prevention rather than intervening once something has gone awry.  Entrusted Legacy is interested in proactively supporting the development of role models and mentors so youth can make the connections needed to build resiliency and grit.  The work being done around the importance of non-cognitive skills (Paul Tough—How Children Succeed) confirms our belief that these two essentials supports the full development of young people and that the best place to develop those non-cognitive skills is with a caring role model and mentor.  

Entrusted Legacy has partnered with Consult 4 Kids to provide a comprehensive staff development program tailored for their needs.  Entrust Your Legacy with us.  Invest today in the future of all of our children and youth.  Find out more about Entrusted Legacy on our website at www.entrustedlegacy.org   Help us to support those who work with other people’s children every day be an outstanding role model or mentor.  

Developing “Grit”

Don’t know about you, but when I hear the word “grit”, the first thinking I think about is the old John Wayne movie (I know, they’ve remade it recently) “True Grit”.  Whether you watched the John Wayne or the Jeff Bridges version, you know that the person with grit is the young woman, Mattie Ross, who is unwilling to take “no” for an answer and is insistent and determined to get the help she wants. 

The second thought I have when I hear the word “grit” is sandpaper.  Grit, when you are thinking about sandpaper, has to do with “the number of sharp particles per square inch of sandpaper.”  Grit size is important when you are trying to do a particular job.  For instance if you are stripping a finish off of a board, you may want 20 to 60 grit, while if you finishing a wooden cabinet you would want fine sandpaper with a grit between 360-600.  The grit of the paper will determine the finish that you get.

According to Wiki, "Grit Personality Trait" “Grit in psychology is a positive, non-cognitive trait, based on an individual’s passion for a particular long-term goal or end state coupled with a powerful motivation to achieve their respective objective. This perseverance of effort promotes the overcoming of obstacles or challenges that lie within a gritty individual’s path to accomplishment and serves as a driving force in achievement realization.” 

Angela Duckworth, former middle and high school math teacher, has done research about grit in her current position as Assistant Professor at the University of Pennsylvania.  She wondered what role effort played in achievement.  Her work suggests that “when it comes to high achievement, grit may be as essential as intelligence.”  Her work is significant.  Intelligence “is probably the best-measured trait that there is in all of human psychology,” says Duckworth. “We know how to measure intelligence in a matter of minutes.  But intelligence leaves a lot unexplained. There are smart people who aren’t high achievers, and there are people who achieve a lot without having the highest test scores.”  Duckworth found in a study of students from an Ivy League school, that the people with the highest GPA’s were not the people with the highest IQs but rather the folks with the most grit and determination.  Duckworth has developed a “Grit Scale” to guide her work which you can find and take on the University’s website.

When we work with young people, we need to remember the importance of grit, the commitment to not giving up and throwing in the towel.  We need to encourage the development of perseverance and resiliency.  We believe that adult role models and mentors can be an inspiration and guide to young people.  Entrusted Legacy is committed to helping youth and adults develop this key characteristic.  Get in touch at support@entrustedlegacy.org