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Once in a while, someone special appears in your life. This story is about Larry Higdon, and he is that someone for me.

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Local Community Co-op manager Larry Higdon, centre, shares a laugh with youth at his store.

Let me explain.

Many rural communities across Atlantic Canada have seen better days. Most have witnessed a significant decrease in their population due to the population shift to larger urban centers. A few years ago, Larry took on the position of store manager at a local Community Co-op in a very small community that was experiencing this transformation.

There were many challenges to this new position but none more so than a group of young teenagers who insisted on parking themselves across the street at the town square. One fateful day, Larry recognized something about the teens that no one else had. He realized that these 20 or so youth had nothing to do in their community.

With apprehension, Larry stepped across the street one evening with a box of ice cream bars and a case of pop and engaged this group of so-called 'troublemakers'. With a warm smile and a quick handshake, Larry introduced himself to the group.

He explained that there was no catch to his generous gift, just an understanding that there would be no garbage left behind or eggs splattered all over the store's windows in the morning.

Not long after that momentous exchange between a caring adult and a group of disengaged teenagers, a youth group was formed. The group's goal was to tackle the issues that area youth felt were important in their community.

With support from Larry, their new found mentor, the teens saw the value in co-operating with the RCMP, politicians, seniors groups and their local high school.

From these exchanges the group became larger, with more and more young people becoming involved. The group is now referred to as Advocate Youth Services Co-op (AYSC), one of the very few youth co-ops in North America.

Some of the group's accomplishments to date have been organizing special events, fundraising to build the town's first play park, and even building a gazebo for the town square. AYSC continues to try and bridge the gap between the younger and older generations and advocate for stronger ties between the two.

I often find myself reviewing the 40 developmental assets or 'the good stuff' adolescents need in their lives to become productive members of their community and consider how I could implement some of these in my own life.

The most fascinating part of Larry's story is that he has exemplified each and every one of the assets without knowing it, from community support, to empowerment, displaying positive values, to being a socially responsible member of his community.

It is incredibly rewarding to have someone like Larry in your life to look up to for all the wonderful things he does for his community and the youth within it.

* Trevor MacDougall is coordinator of Atlantic Co-operative Youth Leadership (ACYL), a program designed to encourage co-operative youth development in the Atlantic Provinces. He is also a member of the Youth First Committee of the United Way of Greater Moncton and Southeastern NB Region Inc. Community Assets is a bi-weekly column written by a member of the Youth First committee.