Agilities in Action – Preparing Children and Parents for Bright Futures

Guest Article by Key Partner and Funder The DeBruce Foundation

As early as elementary school, students begin to develop strengths and interests that they will use throughout their careers. At The DeBruce Foundation, we call these strengths and interests Agilities©, and they’re the work skills used in every job across the economy. When we help children learn about their Agilities and recognize how they use them every day, we help prepare them for a bright future.

Building Exposure and Awareness

Preparing children for success in the future workforce includes exposing them to a wide variety of experiences, such as art, science, and math activities, and helping them develop transferable skills like communication, innovation, and organization. Agilities can spark confidence and self-awareness in young learners, laying the groundwork for social-emotional growth, curiosity, and future-ready mindsets—even before kindergarten.

By helping students develop an early awareness of their skills and interests, they will be better equipped when it is time to consider future educational and career paths. Knowing what you enjoy and what you are good at is important at any age. For children, understanding their Agilities helps build confidence and fosters growth and development over time.

How Agilities Build Confidence

Agilities can be used at home, at school, and in the community. When we use our Agilities, we are able to focus on tasks and solve problems in different situations. Agilities can be used to help others or to find creative solutions. They are also valuable in team-building activities.

Ellie, a seventh-grade student, shared her thoughts at SOCI’s annual Empowering Families breakfast. “I think kids should learn about the Agilities so they can be more confident when they are growing up. Once you do more hands-on projects, you know you can help and you don’t have to sit on the side. You can add value and assist the team when you know what you are good at.”

Bringing Career Literacy to Life in Classrooms

The DeBruce Foundation offers K-12 Career Literacy resources which are fully funded, making them free and accessible to educators nationwide. These resources, tailored for elementary, middle, and high school students, integrate seamlessly into existing curricula and provide essential tools to develop career-ready skills, self-awareness, and confidence.

The DeBruce Foundation partners with many organizations, state governments, and schools throughout the country. One of our partners, the Piper School District in Kansas City, KS, integrates Agilities throughout their district. “In my district, we use Agilities with everything. Group projects? Sorted by Agility strengths. Indoor recess? We’ve got ‘Agility Kits’ where kids explore through play. Guest speakers? We prepare them to talk about their own Agilities and how they use them in their careers. Even big school-wide events are sprinkled with Agility language so that students constantly hear the message: your strengths matter, and you belong everywhere,” says Jessica Asbury, an educator in the Piper School District.

Unlocking Potential and Building Bright Futures with SOCI

At The DeBruce Foundation, we believe Career Literacy should start early to unlock each student’s potential. The K-12 resources are designed to be the first step toward a future filled with opportunity. This is why The DeBruce Foundation’s partnership with SOCI is so important. Through SOCI’s centerprise sites, Parent U, and other programs, we can create opportunities for both children and parents. The Agilities resources help young people identify their strengths and build confidence, while tools such as the Agile Work Profiler©, Career Explorer Tools, Resume Builder, and more assist adults who are choosing or changing careers.

Agilities Resources for You, Your Family, and Your Community

For more information and to access any of The DeBruce Foundation’s tools and resources, visit Agilities.org.