Shannon Zielinski has been named Youth Assets Coordinator for the greater Brockport area. The new position is being funded by the Towns of Hamlin, Clarkson and Sweden, the Village of Brockport and the Brockport Central School district to help the community build the assets necessary for its youth to develop into successful adults.

The coordinator’s job has been designated as a half-time position and its office will be located in the basement of the Sweden Town Hall (in space formerly occupied by the Brockport Police Department).

Zielinski is no stranger to youth or the school district that serves the four municipalities. An MCC graduate with a degree in recreation, Zielinski has worked for the YMCA and Generations Child Care. Her responsibilities have included youth sports, summer camp, school age child care and intergenerational programs.

She and husband, David, have four sons. Andrew is a nine year-old at Brockport’s Hill School; seven year-old twins, Jason and Jared, are at the Barclay School; and 18 month-old Shane is at home. Zielinski has been a volunteer at the school since Andrew started and took over the position of volunteer coordinator last year. She’s been active in the PTSA and is currently the president of the organization.

Zielinski’s first activities in her new post will include meeting with community members and groups. "We want to educate the community about asset building and find the best way to develop assets among all of our youth."

A list of the 40 recognized youth assets was published a few at a time during the past year. Advocates of asset building say that the more assets a youth possesses, the more likely he/she will grow into a successful adult.

"This is an exciting challenge that I’m looking forward to," Zielinski said. "There’s already a lot in place in our community. We have to find ways to get the kids that are lacking many assets involved."