age-appropriate activities; caring neighbors who pay attention to children; and adults modeling responsible behavior. Here are a few specific things you can do to help children build assets.

	Children are watching  -- model good behavior and include the needs of young children in considering a decision relating to your family, neighborhood or organization
	Volunteer to work with children through a school, church or community organization. Drive carefully to keep kids safe and offer to help a parent by caring for his or her child or by doing something to ease parent stress
	Call a child you know just to say hello and tell them you are thinking of them. Organizations and businesses have a tremendous opportunity to create an environment of positive community involvement.

   A perfect example is Southland Center in Taylor and AmeriCorps/The Guidance Center. They have teamed up to bring Magic Carpet Ride to Reading to the community. This program began in the spring of 2001 and is now a regularly scheduled event at 1 p.m. on the third Saturday of every month through October. A local community leader and a special guest read a selected book to the children. 
   Other activities are included, such as photos and raffles.  This is a win-win