2014 2015 rico final report 6 29 2015

2014 -2015 R.I.C.O. REPORT

Thank you Maricopa County's Attorney's Office, for Helping Us Realize Our Hopes, Fears, and Most of All, Our Dreams...

RELEASE THE FEAR'S BRIDGING POSSIBILITIES=

Inspiring & empowering kids with the tools to make better life choices . . .

Thanks to the foresight of Maricopa County's Attorney's

Office, through RICO funding. This is the Final Report of 7 different workshops making a difference in 74 transition young lives' and what they experienced through the "Bridging Possibilities" Character Education program.

Demonstrating the power and importance of inspiring and empowering our youth with the essential tools so that they are able to make better life choices, find their gifts and know that they matter! Allowing them to lead a more meaningful productive life and become tomorrow's leaders in Arizona, for a brighter tomorrow for all.

W

hat: Release the Fear, a non-profit health and human services organization, teaches Arizona’s youth the

life skills needed to combat the effects of Peer Pressure, Gang involvement, Bullying, Abuse, and Violence in our society and to make better life choices. Release the Fear (RTF) has worked with thousands of at-risk youth and adults in Arizona and around the world, offering experiential programs that help reverse the paralyzing effects of fear and diminished self-worth. Our programs encourage youth to explore safe and healthy lifestyles and to overcome disabilities through the development of leadership and social skills through evidence-based curriculum that meets National Common Core standards. Arizona Department of Education, accredited Release the Fear program as a Character Education program

H

ow: These programs stimulate whole-brain thinking and develop metacognitive thought processing by utilizing new

applied-knowledge teaching methods. These programs demonstrate options that awaken a creative consciousness and expose the unlimited potential of critical thinking and problem solving to help participants develop better cognitive behavioral skills. Our trained facilitators guide participants through interactive creative activities and analytically explore the connectedness to their lives. Release the Fear utilizes inquiry-based learning experiences, an educational practice where the teacher/facilitator uses controlled questioning to serve as a learning guide in order to move students towards new understandings. Educational research shows that student retention increases when new learning is discovered through inquiry practices, as the student is able to take ownership of these findings. The teacher/facilitator must act as guide while being an expert questioner, thinking of the end objective at all times and posing questions to allow students to reach objectives on their own. When this is done, students are able to create new thought patterns which connect and build on their applied knowledge and personal life goals. Without these essential life skills, the still- maturing minds of detained youth view their future as bleak with no hope for a “normal” life.

A

pproach: Through experiential programs, we encourage participants to develop valuable core life skills, better critical

problem solving, and a healthy sense of understanding of self and others. Through the RTF programs, participants discover that anything is possible, that they have a purpose in life. They see why they do matter to the world, to the community, and most of all to themselves.

T

ransformation: The Maricopa County Juvenile Probation Office released a 2010 report demonstrating the value of

Inside Out Bridging Possibilities workshops on 357 of their juvenile population. Thirty percent of incarcerated youth recidivate—meaning three out of ten will again find themselves in conflict with law and society and back behind bars. For the incarcerated youth who participated in just one Release the Fear workshop, that recidivism figure dropped by 23 percent. For those who were able to benefit from multiple workshops, it dropped by 16 percent - nearly half. That is an impressive impact on any child’s future as well as the community in general..

Release the Fear, Inc. has worked with youth in Arizona and internationally, in such places as Guam and El Salvador, instilling positive life changes for thousands.

Thank You Arizona Department of Education For Helping Us Our Hopes, Fears, and Most of All, Our Dreams...

R

Release the Fear Collaboration with ADJC on Recidivism Research Update through December 2014: 27 months - ADJC Report Submitted January 20, 2015 Since September 2012, Release the Fear has participated in an Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections (ADJC) multi-year study of participant recidivism. Recidivism is defined as “a return to custody,” in either the ADJC or the Arizona Department of Corrections. Data from the first 27 months of the study are reported below.

Twenty-nine “Release the Fear” workshops were conducted between September 2012 and the end of December 2014, serving 721 juveniles age 14-18 year of age. Seventeen workshops took place in secure care (562 individuals) and twelve workshops (159 participants) occurred in the community (Release the Fear @ Grace Chapel). ADJC further reports that 19% of participating individuals in secure care attended more than one RTF workshop.

Of the 562 youth who participated in a RTF workshop while in secure care, 66% of the population (370 youth) have been released from custody, while 34% (192 youth) remain in custody. Of those released or discharged from secure care, 31% (116 individuals), have since returned to secure care as a result of violations of their community supervision.

Of the 159 youth who participated in a RTF workshop while on community supervision, 78% (124 individuals) have been released or discharged. The remaining 22% (35 individuals) are still under community supervision. Fortyeight individuals (39%) who participated in one or more RTF workshops during community supervision have been returned to secure care due to violations of the terms of supervision.

*ADJC notes that the follow-up time for this report is limited (ranges from one day to one year and five months), which may result in inaccurate statements of recidivism rates than if the cases could be followed for the preferred 36 months.

.

.

Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections Recidivism Rates (%)

March- June 2015 RELEASE THE FEAR 2015 RTF Pre/Post Survey Results

RICO OVERALL PERCENTAGES 74 Students in Transition (6 PB Workshops) Male 93% Female 7% – Youth Ages 11-17 92.8% discovered something new about themselves 92.2% discovered something new about classmates and friends.

Pre 60.2% compared to Post 82.8% realized that they are not alone in their fears.

Pre 90% compared to Post 100% realized that they can make their dreams a reality.

84.8% learned something to help them deal with bullying.

83.4% stated that they would do something if they saw someone being bullied.

Individual Workshop Percentages 1. March 6 ,7 and 27, 28, 2015 Parole and Second Chance (combined two workshops info/outcomes) 7 Students (1 IO-BP Workshops) Male 100% Female 0% – Youth Ages 15-17 100% discovered something new about themselves 100% discovered something new about classmates and friends.

Pre 100% compared to Post 100% realized that they are not alone in their fears.

Pre 100% compared to Post 100% realized that they can make their dreams a reality.

50% learned something to help them deal with bullying.

50% stated that they would do something if they saw someone being bullied.

2. May 8-9 2015 Canyon State 9 Students (1 IO-BP Workshops) Male 100% Female 0% – Youth Ages 14-17 88% discovered something new about themselves 100% discovered something new about classmates and friends.

Pre 50% compared to Post 75% realized that they are not alone in their fears.

Pre 100% compared to Post 100% realized that they can make their dreams a reality.

100% learned something to help them deal with bullying.

88% stated that they would do something if they saw someone being bullied

3. May 15-16 2015 Canyon State 16 Students (1 IO-BP Workshops) Male 100% Female 0% – Youth Ages 11-17 88% discovered something new about themselves 88% discovered something new about classmates and friends.

Pre 56% compared to Post 50% realized that they are not alone in their fears.

Pre 88% compared to Post 100% realized that they can make their dreams a reality.

82% learned something to help them deal with bullying.

94% stated that they would do something if they saw someone being bullied.

4. May 22-23 2015 U-Turn 23 Students (1 IO-BP Workshops) Male 100% Female 0% – Youth Ages 13-17 96% discovered something new about themselves 96% discovered something new about classmates and friends.

Pre 74% compared to Post 87% realized that they are not alone in their fears.

Pre 83% compared to Post 100% realized that they can make their dreams a reality.

100% learned something to help them deal with bullying.

100% stated that they would do something if they saw someone being bullied.

5. May 26-28 2015 The New Foundation 13 Students (1 IO-BP Workshops) Male 38% Female 62% – Youth Ages 11-17 92% discovered something new about themselves 77% discovered something new about classmates and friends.

Pre 61% compared to Post 85% realized that they are not alone in their fears.

Pre 69% compared to Post 100% realized that they can make their dreams a reality.

92% learned something to help them deal with bullying.

85% stated that they would do something if they saw someone being bullied.

6. June 11 2015 Southwest Learning Academy 6 Students (1 IO-BP Workshops) Male 100% Female 0% – Youth Ages 14-16 Pre 20% compared to Post 100% realized that they are not alone in their fears.

Pre 100% compared to Post 100% realized that they can make their dreams a reality.

Youth Inspired Over Eight Years Study

For eighteen years, Release the Fear has had the opportunity to interact with over 7,500 troubled youth; these youth now know they have a life purpose. They know their wishes and dreams can come true. They know they are worth it and that they matter!

Our evidence-based curriculum has helped troubled kids in schools, jails, detention, and treatment centers. Through the creative processes of art, music, and communication, we teach kids cognitive behavioral skills to build self-esteem. They learn tools to help them succeed in school, conflict resolution, and to address peer pressure, and bullying.

Between the years 2007 and 2013, Release Fear has shown constant improvement upon youth’s pre- and post-reporting’s learned about perceptions of themselves.

In addition, during the years of 2012 and 2013, Release the Fear has contributed to an overall improvement of youth’s self-reported willingness to assist another if bullied. Despite a decline of reported learning’s about proactive options to prevent being bullied, their learning consistently remained over 78 percent.

.

RTF Aggregate % New Survey Questions 2012- 2014 3.5 3 2.5 2 1.5 1 0.5 0

3.2 1.52 Learned Something About Bullying

Stated WOULD Do Something if Witnessed Bullying

RELEASE THE FEAR 2014-15 R.I.C.O. Funding Program Second Chance Workshop: Budget

Budget for 7 Per Workshop

Instructional Programming: Program Supervisor/Trainer Co-Facilitator / Trainee Reporting and Evaluations: Pre/Post Inventories Final Report Supplies and Other Workshop Exp Art & Printed Supplies / Snacks Recognition for Students, Postage, Mktng Internal Coordination, Support & Workshop Presentation Travel Expenses – Average

$680.00 $300.00

$4,760.00 $12,00.00

$150.00 $ 70.00

1,500.00 $ 490.00

$ 80.00 $ 60.00

$ 560.00 $ 420.00

$260.00 $ 50.00

$1,820.00 $ 350.00

TOTAL FOR 1 WORKSHOP $1,650.00 Total

$ 11,550.00 $11,550.00

R.I.C.O. Funding $9,900.00 Average In-kind donations: The space, equipment and staff oversees participants for the overall evaluation of long term success of workshop. Volunteers coordinate preparation of documents, organize all supplies, and assist facilitators prior to and during workshops.

In-kind:$250.00-Per X 6 = $1,750.00

March 6th 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm and March 7th 10:00am to 1:00pm –Paroled scheduled 32 Youth to participate (4 Youth showed) #1 of 6 RICO Fund The Second Chance Program Parole March 27th 3:00 pm-6:00 pm and March 28th 9:30am – 11:30am – Paroled 17 scheduled to participate (3 Youth showed) #2 of 6 RICO Fund The Second Chance Program Parole Release the Fear (RTF) was told that parole can no longer bring parolees to workshops as they originally did for budgetary reasons. Even though the low attendance RTF actually did seven workshops as reflected above and combine the findings of two workshops listed above into one workshop outcomes. RTF then reached out to other transitional facilities such as Canyon State Academy, Southwest leadership Academy, The New Foundation, and U-Turn. Opening up new opportunities for additional transitioning youth.

Thanks to RICO, 7 young lives from Parole and Second Chance experienced their Possibilities. This workshop took place on March 6, 7 and 27, 28, 2015 .

Opening up possibilities for the young minds of Arizona’s youth for a brighter tomorrow.©

“Bridging Possibility” workshops.

Through stories, activities and artwork, Release the Fear’s Workshops will help students to:  Draw One’s Fears and Awaken Hopes and Dreams  Stimulate Creative Listening and Communication  Bridge Understanding  Discuss How Color Affects Us and Our Environment  Awaken Senses  Heighten Visual Awareness of Our Environment  Turn Pain into Possibilities into Purpose.

The students are divided into four groups or teams that they remain with throughout the workshop. In their small group, the students may be asked to complete an activity, to share responses, or to reflect on an exercise. Often times these groups can have students with different beliefs, various backgrounds, and even opposing gang affiliations. The workshop will end with a group created painting to be displayed for the public.

Participant Responses Participants are asked to reflect on several of the activities and then share with the group.

These responses are written in their words without edit.

The following responses are from the students who range in ages from 15-17.

The students are asked to reflect on the following question: How do you think this activity could help you in your daily life (In School, Out of School, or In Your Career)?

Mirror Work: Look at Yourself in the eyes (ONLY) and tell yourself that you love or like yourself just the way you are.

It makes me feel confident about myself. / Makes me feel good in my heart. / It makes me feel good, builds character, makes you feel confident. / Makes me feel good, motivated.

Hero: Who is Your Hero and Why do you think are they important? What characteristics or qualities, would you or do you, look for in a Hero?

My uncle! Because when I need something, he is there. Faith, responsibility, respect, hope, loving. / My cousin Rico. He’s a leader, respectful, focused, trust. They are my hero because I just see them as a role model. A leader, communication skills, focused. / My imagination hero. Because if I could be a superhero, I feel like these would be my qualities. To be invisible, to stop time, to go back and forth in time, to read minds, to be the human superhero.

Overall, something New about Self or Others in your Group: Today I have learned if I have a dream or goal, to strive for it and never give up. There are so many opportunities out there you just got to be motivated enough to chase your dreams. Don’t ever give up in life. Keep moving past the obstacles in life.

Funded By: RICO Location: Parole and Second Chance %Male 100

%Female 0

Dates: March 6, 7 and 27, 28, 2015

Ages 15-17

Do you think others (Kids my age, older & younger, Adults) have the same Fear as I do?

Pre %YES 100 %NO 0 %Other 0 Post %YES 100 %NO 0 %Other 0 Rate this statement: You feel comfortable speaking in front of others.

Pre % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 100 % All the Time 0 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 100 % All the Time 0 Rate this statement: I believe I can make my hopes and/or dreams come true.

Pre % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 40 % All the Time 60 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 50 % All the Time 50 Rate this statement: I respect my own decisions even when dealing with peer pressure.

Pre % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 20 % All the Time 80 Post % Not at all 50 % Sometimes 0 % All the Time 50 Complete this statement: I am trustworthy and see myself as a __. Follower, Equal, Leader Pre % Follower 0 % Equal 20 % Leader 80 Post % Follower 0 % Equal 0 % Leader 100 Have you ever been bullied? % Yes 60 % No 40 Have you ever seen someone being bullied? % Yes 100 % No 0 Did you do anything? % Yes 60 % No 40 % No Answer 0 Did you learn something in the workshop that will help you deal with bullying?

Post % Yes 50 % No 50 % No Answer 0 After attending the character education workshop and learning about compassion, if you saw someone be bullied, would you do something?

Post % Yes 50 % No 50 % No Answer 0 Did you learn any skills, such as respect or responsibility, to help you make your own decisions not based on Peer Pressure?

Post % Yes 50 % No 50 % No Answer 0 What do you think about color?

What % gave more thought and shared them about color.

Pre 60% Post 50%

Thoughts Shared: Pre: Don’t really think much about it besides it being a color. / I think all colors are equal and a fragment of imagination. / All colors are nice. / ? / It changes your mood.

Post: They can be emotions.

My most important hope or dream is. . .

What % gave more thought to their Dreams becoming reality.

Pre 100% Post 100% Thoughts Shared: Pre: Dream to become wealthy and be able to provide for my family. / To have a good career in either basketball, rapping, or boxing. / Still thinking about it. / That I get a good job.

Post: To go to Phoenix College. / Being welder.

One thing I learned in workshop that will help me reach my dream is: Post 100% discovered something new in the workshop.

Thoughts Shared: To never give up. / Believing.

The Character Count you want to improve or work on to help you? How did the workshop help you improve it?

Post 86% discovered something in the workshop to improve their Character Count.

Thoughts Shared: Express myself. / Believing in yourself and acting.

What did you learn New in the workshop about a classmate or friend?

Post 100% discovered something new about classmates or friends in the workshop Thoughts Shared: I like to paint. / Asking.

Inspiring & empowering kids with the tools to make better life choices . . .

Thanks to RICO, 9 young lives from Canyon State experienced their Possibilities.

This workshop took place on May 8-9, 2015.

Opening up possibilities for the young minds of Arizona’s youth for a brighter tomorrow.©

“Bridging Possibility” workshops.

Through stories, activities and artwork, Release the Fear’s Workshops will help students to:  Draw One’s Fears and Awaken Hopes and Dreams  Stimulate Creative Listening and Communication  Bridge Understanding  Discuss How Color Affects Us and Our Environment  Awaken Senses  Heighten Visual Awareness of Our Environment  Turn Pain into Possibilities into Purpose.

The students are divided into four groups or teams that they remain with throughout the workshop. In their small group, the students may be asked to complete an activity, to share responses, or to reflect on an exercise. Often times these groups can have students with different beliefs, various backgrounds, and even opposing gang affiliations. The workshop will end with a group created painting to be displayed for the public.

Participant Responses Participants are asked to reflect on several of the activities and then share with the group.

These responses are written in their words without edit.

The following responses are from the students who range in ages from 14-17.

The students are asked to reflect on the following question: How do you think this activity could help you in your daily life (In School, Out of School, or In Your Career)?

Who am I? : Know people, active listening, honesty. When you do something wrong. Listen to teacher, to talk, communicate. Not to judge, communicate. Have more respect. / Share ourself.

Coping skills. Respect, Vegas rule. Give them respect, by looking in the eye. / Show integrity, honesty, respect, self-control, behaviors, learning new things. By showing integrity. By being respectful. When you have children. / We learned to know ourselves. To get along with others.

Cooperation. It would build to meet other.

Creative Storytelling: How to be creative, how to use teamwork. Learn new things, learn to have character traits. Try to get to know the bully and see what’s wrong with him. Meet new people, get along with other students. / To describe, so we can create a picture in the person’s mind. When writing a story. By switching subjects. Because it is a skill. / Skills. Keep them to work. To get work done. / To help you in life. To learn respect in school. Because we came together. Because we will know how to deal with others.

Through the Hoops: Teamwork and communication, trust. When you’re doing a project. You could work with the bully. Work with other people. / Trust, things are easy, communication. To work together in projects. By helping understand each other. I could trust people at school. / Skills because it shows cooperation. Sometimes you’re going to create your own path in life. When you’re getting bullied that is an obstacle of life. It helps in life by teaching yourself some self-control and respect and how to show good behavior. / We learned cooperation. To cooperate with others.

Cooperate with the people who bully. To teach you self control.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: Confident, respect, caring.

Mirror Work: Look at Yourself in the eyes (ONLY) and tell yourself that you love or like yourself just the way you are.

Weird, all types of ways. / Good.

Hero: Who is Your Hero and Why do you think are they important? What characteristics or qualities, would you or do you, look for in a Hero?

He motivates me. Perseverance, honesty, courage. / Superman. Because he save people and sometimes cops can get them.

Seeing Beyond: Citizenship. Because we can return work. I could be a citizen. / Tool. Rulers and pencils. To keep stuff safe. / We learned respect. To respect teachers. To treat others with respect.

Drawing one’s Fear’s, Hopes and Dreams and Sharing: Share about your life, learn about others.

Know about new students. Understand their situation. To not be shy, so other people know what you’re going through. / Sharing, listening, communication. When doing group work, we use communication. By understanding each other. Share more of yourself to other people. / Skills. When people say stuff to you. By using self-control. To learn patience. / We learned to know ourself. To have friends. Yes it cause we all have fears. Because we all have fears.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: Skill. Other people look forward to you. People will help you too.

®

Release the Fear, Inc. ® PO Box 3815 Phoenix, AZ 85030 www.releasethefear.org 602-818 6959

Funded By: RICO Location: Canyon State %Male 100

%Female 0

Dates: May 8-9, 2015 Ages 14-17

Do you think others (Kids my age, older & younger, Adults) have the same Fear as I do?

Pre %YES 50 %NO 50 %Other 0 Post %YES 75 %NO 25 %Other 0 Rate this statement: You feel comfortable speaking in front of others.

Pre % Not at all 25 % Sometimes 50 % All the Time 25 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 75 % All the Time 25 Rate this statement: I believe I can make my hopes and/or dreams come true.

Pre % Not at all 12 % Sometimes 38 % All the Time 50 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 50 % All the Time 50 Rate this statement: I respect my own decisions even when dealing with peer pressure.

Pre % Not at all 12 % Sometimes 38 % All the Time 50 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 50 % All the Time 50 Complete this statement: I am trustworthy and see myself as a __. Follower, Equal, Leader Pre % Follower 0 % Equal 38 % Leader 62 Post % Follower 0 % Equal 25 % Leader 75 Have you ever been bullied? % Yes 50 % No 50 Have you ever seen someone being bullied? % Yes 100 % No 0 Did you do anything? % Yes 88 % No 12 % No Answer 0 Did you learn something in the workshop that will help you deal with bullying?

Post % Yes 199 % No 0 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: Teamwork. / Told staff. / Stay away from the kids that are being mean. / Stand up for each other. / I am helping people being bullied. / Talk to the bully. / Communication. / I will do something if somebody’s getting bullied. / I learned when I see bullying try to help.

After attending the character education workshop and learning about compassion, if you saw someone be bullied, would you do something?

Post % Yes 88 % No 12 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: I would talk to them. / I told staff. / Because it is not right. / I tell the teacher. / I would help them. / I would fight the bully myself. / Help the people get along. / I will do something. / I would get a teacher or call the cops.

Did you learn any skills, such as respect or responsibility, to help you make your own decisions not based on Peer Pressure?

Post % Yes 88 % No 12 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: Trustworthiness. / Respect others. / Because you can learn new things. / Controlling my anger. / I learned. / How to use self-control. / To listen and cooperation. / I learned a lot more responsibility. / Respect because you should respect everyone.

What do you think about color?

What % gave more thought and shared them about color.

Pre 75% Post 68% Thoughts Shared: Pre: No. / It could affect other people’s emotion. / I think color makes things come to life or pop out at you. / I thought that color can affect somebody’s emotions. / I don’t know. I don’t know what you mean about color? I think I like the color blue? / Yes I have thought about color. Color is a feeling as in red is for anger, blue is calm. Stuff like that. / No I think race is nothing. / It makes people interested. / It attracts people to certain things. / It makes people think a sorta way. / I think of it good. / Nothing, no. / Helps people to calm down and it helps when they are mad. / I like bright colors. They are happy and put me in a peaceful mood. / I don’t think about colors because I got a life to think about that is more important than colors. / They make me want to just fall asleep. Yes about rainbows. / Colors are nice. My favorite color is green. / It can affect someone’s emotions.

Post: When you wear colorful clothes, it makes you bright. / IDK. / I don’t like color. / Color makes things look cool. / That feeling hurt others. / It is helpful. / About songs and bright and rock. / Color can mean different things. / New colors. / I like how the colors mix in together. / I learned how to see color to music. / Color still can be a meaning of a emotion. / I think color helps define everything. / That color can inspire cool paintings. / I already knew about it. / I learned that color has tone.

My most important hope or dream is. . .

What % gave more thought to their Dreams becoming reality.

Pre 100% Post 100% Thoughts Shared: Pre: N/A. / My dream is to be in the SWAT and when I hit a age I will retire from the SWAT and will be a teacher. / My most important dream is to leave CSA and validate. / My most important hope is I hope my mom support me going to the Marines. / My dream is that my family would get back together so I can see my mom. / Is to exit in 2 weeks. / My hope is to be a veterinarian. / Is to go home and become a truck driver. / My most important dream is a person that can help people with their anger. / My most important dream is to be a scientist like my dad. / To become a Navy Seal. / That I can become a mechanic. / My dream is trying to play football. My hope is I can make it. / To live each day to the fullest and complete my bucket list. Ie. Travel the world, volunteer at hospitals. / My most important hope or dream is to become an NBA basketball player. / Is to be in the Army or USMC. / Is to leave Canyon State and never come back. / To live with my mom and don’t come back.

Post: Is to go to the USMC. / Help people. / My dream is to finish college to go to play football. / Hope to finish high school. / To leave CSA. / Is to exit CSA. / Is to be in the SWAT team and when I hat a age, I will be a teacher. / Is to be a mechanic. / Is to graduate college. / Is to exit. / Is to exit Canyon State and go home to my family. / To become a massage therapist. / To be a scientist like my dad. / To be a veterinarian. / My most important hope is to leave CSA.

One thing I learned in workshop that will help me reach my dream is: Post 100% discovered something new in the workshop.

Thoughts Shared: Is to never give up. / Is to do good. / Let no one get to you. / I learned to share ideas and communicate. / Everybody is the same. / To be a football team. / Is got to keep on going in life. / Is to believe in myself. / Is to treat others with respect. / Respect. / Is to just have respect and follow my dreams. / Multi-tasking, cooperation and listening. / To communication with others. / I learned a lot more responsibility. / Learned more respect. / I learned to never give up on your dream.

Coming into the workshop, which Character Count did you want to improve on or work on to help you? How did the workshop help you improve it?

Post 88% discovered something in the workshop to improve their Character Count.

Thoughts Shared: Caring by know how to help others. / IDK. / I wanted to work on is my behavior. / N/A. / To leave CSA. / Respect. / Yes, it did because we learned coordination. / Responsibility. / By teaching new character traits. / By learning how to be respectful to other people. / Responsibility.

Because I didn’t have a lot of it and it got more improved. / Self-control. I improve on it because we had consequences when we don’t follow expectations. / By respecting people and their ideas. / Respect each other. / I already knew about it. / Be helpful instead of not. / Respect the way the workshop help me improve in Respect is to respect everyone.

What did you learn New in the workshop about a classmate or friend?

Post 100% discovered something new about classmates or friends in the workshop Thoughts Shared: That they have things in common. / Something good. / I learn that some people is not the same and they are different. / N/A. / To respect others. / Nothing. / Yes I did because we can help people. / You can work with them even though you don’t like them, you can still work with them. / They are smart. / I learned about other people’s differences. / To use trust to other people. / What has happened in their life. / To help people and not to judge. / To not be afraid of people. / They know a lot more about us. / To respect everyone.

Inspiring & empowering kids with the tools to make better life choices . . .

Thanks to RICO, 16 young lives from Canyon State experienced their Possibilities.

This workshop took place on May 15-16, 2015.

Opening up possibilities for the young minds of Arizona’s youth for a brighter tomorrow.©

“Bridging Possibility” workshops.

Through stories, activities and artwork, Release the Fear’s Workshops will help students to:  Draw One’s Fears and Awaken Hopes and Dreams  Stimulate Creative Listening and Communication  Bridge Understanding  Discuss How Color Affects Us and Our Environment  Awaken Senses  Heighten Visual Awareness of Our Environment  Turn Pain into Possibilities into Purpose.

The students are divided into four groups or teams that they remain with throughout the workshop. In their small group, the students may be asked to complete an activity, to share responses, or to reflect on an exercise. Often times these groups can have students with different beliefs, various backgrounds, and even opposing gang affiliations. The workshop will end with a group created painting to be displayed for the public.

Participant Responses Participants are asked to reflect on several of the activities and then share with the group.

These responses are written in their words without edit.

The following responses are from the students who range in ages from 11-17.

The students are asked to reflect on the following question: How do you think this activity could help you in your daily life (In School, Out of School, or In Your Career)?

Who am I? : To not judge a book by its cover. Help make friends with new peers. Teaches people not to judge. By allowing us to deal with others. / Communication, multi-task. Listen while writing down things. Asking questions. Asking questions in everyday situations.

Creative Storytelling: It helps people recognize what you’re trying to teach. If you’re teaching a PowerPoint or lesson. By showing someone what they’re doing, they might stop. / It would apply by giving other ways to learn how to do things. It would help with bullying because it might help people learn why it’s bad to bully someone. If they learned before they do it. It would build character because you have to best way for you to learn different things.

Through the Hoops: Teamwork and communicate non-verbally. By using teamwork in Mrs. Mike’s Jeopardy game. Be a buddy not a bully. If you’re a teacher, you can use it with a group of kids that don’t like each other. / How to use teamwork and communicate. By asking for help when in need. If you’re being bullied, asking for help from others. If you’re at a job and you need help you can ask and people can help.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: How to look past your eyes and into personality. By learning to look past people’s looks and into people’s personality. Ignore what others say and listen to you. As long as I know I’m right and believe in myself, I will be alright. / To say good things to ourselves.

When you felt left out. High self-esteem. It would make us feel better about ourselves.

Mirror Work: Look at Yourself in the eyes (ONLY) and tell yourself that you love or like yourself just the way you are.

It made me feel like I had good self-esteem and self-confidence. / Lost, alone. / When I looked into my eyes, I felt relieved because I build up so much stress that it felt good to let it out. / It feels like a tingle in my body. / It makes me feel awkward. / It makes me feel happy, sad, lonely, shy. / Makes me feel good about myself. / Lost, confused.

Hero: Who is Your Hero and Why do you think are they important? What characteristics or qualities, would you or do you, look for in a Hero?

A staff here because he taught me something I didn’t know about. Because I came into their life and he taught me things I don’t know. Respect, self-esteem, perseverance, courage, responsibility, motivator. / I don’t have one. Respectful, hard-working, trusting, understanding, caring, courageous, puts itself before others. / My hero is my mom, dad, and two of my favorite rap artists because they all overcame their fears to become who they are. They are important they made important decisions to be where they are, and had to change many things about themselves to be where they are. I look for perseverance, respect, self-esteem, self-control, and responsibility. / My dad. He brought me in to this life and raised me. Respect, responsibility, reliable, trustworthy, caring, patient, perseverance, honesty, courage, passionate. / Brother. I’ve been put through a lot but my brother been put through that and more. To not give up. / Superman. He saves people and always there to help people. Because he shows courage and love. Courage, respect, trust, love. / Panda. He is strong, has courage, fearless, and powerful. I think he is important to me because it makes me feel happy and cuddly. Honesty, caring, trustworthy. / My dad. Because he gave me some advice and guided me through my tough situations, but I made the wrong choices and did what I wanted. Self-motivated, caring, respectful, responsible, and honest. / My mom. She has been there for me from the greatest moment of my life, winning state championship and my worst part of my life, getting arrested. I think my mom is important because I am important to her and she is important to me. She is a big part of my life as I am hers. Self-discipline, willingness to learn or teach others, respect, and responsibility. / Standing up for what is right, never giving up, putting others first. All six.

Seeing Beyond: Quick thinking heightens thinking or think outside the box. It would help in Jeopardy games because it help you think quickly. Seeing without looking. / How to use feeling. Science because of learning. Making us think outside the box.

Drawing one’s Fear’s, Hopes and Dreams and Sharing: Courage. Follow dreams and leave fear.

Everybody has similar feelings. Realizing how you can achieve your dream and not be held back by your fear. / Courage and how to not be embarrassed. Being able to stand up and tell things about yourself. It would help because you’re able to stand up for yourself. By being a self advocate for myself.

Describe a time when you had an experience that you perceived (thought/saw) as negative, but through time or something you did, you perceived (thought/saw) the experience as a positive one.

When coming to Canyon State Academy, I thought it was a bad thing. At first I was angry because I thought I was here for a bad reason. But when I got used to it, I found out that it was helping me change my personality to become a better person. When I first came, I was a very bad kid. / When my best friend passed before my eyes, I was going to go negative. Then I got arrested and came to SCA. Months came by and if I didn’t end up arrested, I’d be like my best friend. / My mother beating me and DCS took me away I didn’t want to leave my sister or friends. I was angry and sad but now am here, I bettering myself. / I was first negative at CSA then I had a staff come into my life then talk to me I changed my behavior for the better. / 4 brick walls turned to clouds, trees, and fresh air. / When I was locked up, it really made me angry but it helped clear my mind. / I felt very sad because I shouldn’t have been in that situation. But as I got older I figured out that it actually made me stronger in every situation because I’ve already been through the worst.

®

Release the Fear, Inc. ® PO Box 3815 Phoenix, AZ 85030 www.releasethefear.org 602-818 6959

Funded By: RICO Location: Canyon State %Male 100

%Female 0

Dates: May 15-16, 2015 Ages 11-17

Do you think others (Kids my age, older & younger, Adults) have the same Fear as I do?

Pre %YES 56 %NO 44 %Other 0 Post %YES 50 %NO 50 %Other 0 Rate this statement: You feel comfortable speaking in front of others.

Pre % Not at all 6 % Sometimes 69 % All the Time 25 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 94 % All the Time 6 Rate this statement: I believe I can make my hopes and/or dreams come true.

Pre % Not at all 6 % Sometimes 69 % All the Time 25 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 81 % All the Time 19 Rate this statement: I respect my own decisions even when dealing with peer pressure.

Pre % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 44 % All the Time 56 Post % Not at all 6 % Sometimes 50 % All the Time 44 Complete this statement: I am trustworthy and see myself as a __. Follower, Equal, Leader Pre % Follower 0 % Equal 37 % Leader 63 Post % Follower 0 % Equal 25 % Leader 75 Have you ever been bullied? % Yes 69 % No 31 Have you ever seen someone being bullied? % Yes 94 % No 6 Did you do anything? % Yes 69 % No 25 % No Answer 6 Did you learn something in the workshop that will help you deal with bullying?

Post % Yes 82 % No 12 % No Answer 6 Thoughts Shared: I learn how to open up what’s inside. / Being a leader will help bullies be a buddy. / To stop and help them out. / How to know what others feel. / Standing up for people. / Learning. / Seeing most people have the same things in common. / Not be afraid to stand up from someone.

After attending the character education workshop and learning about compassion, if you saw someone be bullied, would you do something?

Post % Yes 94 % No 6 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: It’s the right thing to do. / I would stand up for the one being bullied. / Tell them to stop bullying. / Because the bully, the kid being bullied, and I all have dreams that want to be achieved. We’re all the same. / I would be there for them. / Been there. / Stand up for them.

Did you learn any skills, such as respect or responsibility, to help you make your own decisions not based on Peer Pressure?

Post % Yes 75 % No 25 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: I already know the main ones but it was a good review. / I learned to deal with responsibility to be a better person. / Respect. / Respect. To respect what others are trying to do for you. / Peer pressure is the easy way out. / To encourage others.

What do you think about color?

What % gave more thought and shared them about color.

Pre 75% Post 88% Thoughts Shared: Pre: I think color brings inspiration. / My favorite color is purple. I feel nothing to race because in like 2000 more years we’re all going to be pretty much the same color. / I think as everyone shining bright in their own way. / Rainbows. / I have never thought about color. / Emotion and an image. / Means about an emotion. / No I have never thought about color. / Never thought about it. / Yes, I think it shows emotions. / Colors like crayons or skin.

Post: I’ve learned nothing. / Color is in everything if you look deep inside you. / To see how your emotion is. / Everyone and everything, either mentally or physically, shine bright in their own way. / Nothing. / It brings emotions/life. / Nothing really. / Music is color also.

My most important hope or dream is. . .

What % gave more thought to their Dreams becoming reality.

Pre 88% Post 100% Thoughts Shared: Pre: To finish school. / To succeed. / Is to go to college and play basketball then play in the NBA. / Is to have a family and own a 69 Mustang Ford. / My dream is to be a millionaire. / Going to the Navy and becoming a paramedic. / Want to go to college. / Is to be successful in life. / Be a Marine. / Is because I want to be a doctor. / To stop getting arrested and do good.

Post: To succeed in life. / Being reunited with my family. / To go to college. / To go into the NBA. / Is to become a basketball player. / To become a massage therapist. / To own a 1969 Mustang Ford. / Be a boxer.

One thing I learned in workshop that will help me reach my dream is: Post 100% discovered something new in the workshop.

Thoughts Shared: Not to give up. / To be responsible, have teamwork, self-esteem, self-control, perseverance, and respect. / Is have more communication. / Is to be patient, accept help and work hard to achieve it. / Is having the courage to do things. / Anatomy. / Respect. / Stay working towards it.

What did you learn New in the workshop about yourself that you did not know before?

Post 88% discovered something new in the workshop.

Thoughts Shared: I didn’t have one. / I want to improve responsibility. This helped me by knowing what I want and how to achieve it. / It help good. / Responsibility. It did help me because it showed me why it has to come first. / It help me improve to be a team player. / Caring and supporting, working with a team. / Respect by talking to others. / Caring, by making realize things.

What did you learn New in the workshop about a classmate or friend?

Post 88% discovered something new about classmates or friends in the workshop Thoughts Shared: Names. / Everyone has a dream and we all have the same hopes to get back home. / To work together as a team. / They all have fears and dreams similar to mine. / That some have the same fears. / Their fears and strengths. / Their dreams and fears. / That they’re afraid of spiders

Inspiring & empowering kids with the tools to make better life choices . . .

Thanks to RICO, 25 young lives from U-Turn experienced their Possibilities.

This workshop took place on May 22-23rd, 2015.

Opening up possibilities for the young minds of Arizona’s youth for a brighter tomorrow.©

“Bridging Possibility” workshops.

Through stories, activities and artwork, Release the Fear’s Workshops will help students to:  Draw One’s Fears and Awaken Hopes and Dreams  Stimulate Creative Listening and Communication  Bridge Understanding  Discuss How Color Affects Us and Our Environment  Awaken Senses  Heighten Visual Awareness of Our Environment  Turn Pain into Possibilities into Purpose.

The students are divided into four groups or teams that they remain with throughout the workshop. In their small group, the students may be asked to complete an activity, to share responses, or to reflect on an exercise. Often times these groups can have students with different beliefs, various backgrounds, and even opposing gang affiliations. The workshop will end with a group created painting to be displayed for the public.

Participant Responses Participants are asked to reflect on several of the activities and then share with the group.

These responses are written in their words without edit.

The following responses are from the students who range in ages from 13-17.

The students are asked to reflect on the following question: How do you think this activity could help you in your daily life (In School, Out of School, or In Your Career)?

Who am I? : Confidence. Being able to speak up and get help. Being able to talk to people. Being confident in self. / People have a lot in common. Sharing an experience. It shows the same who’s stereotyping. It would teach us not to judge by looks. / “Fairness” that no everyone is the same but that we aren’t that different at the same time. It would help us have empathy and also help us not to judge. To know that everyone goes through similar things and also not to judge before knowing who they are. It would help us to not be stereotypical and also help us have empathy for others. / Honesty and trustworthiness. It teaches you to be honest to yourself. So you won’t assume of the people have been through. To succeed in life.

Creative Storytelling: Respect. Being able to speak to coaches, teachers. Stop the person who’s bullying without offense. Golden Rule. / Used personal experience to perform the skit. Use personal experiences in school. Not being afraid to speak up. Helps to step out of your comfort zone. / We learned that we can be creative and also be able to present without being judged. If we have a project, we can present confidently and also be respectful when someone else is presenting. To think when would you like to be and most everyone would say no so then have empathy and know that someone wouldn’t either. Help us to be a fair and an empathetic person. / How to use imagination. Help us be more creative. Helps them come together. Showing confidence when doing something.

Through the Hoops: Communication, learning how to ask for help. To speak up when you need help.

You can stand up and not be afraid. To work together with other people, interact in more positive ways. / Flexibility, teamwork, hard work, flexible schedule. Class assignment, challenging school work. It teaches you how to speak about what you feel. Because there are many “hoops” people have to jump through to reach their goals. / Teamwork because we can anticipate the other person’s strategy.

Being in groups and working as a team. Trying to talk with the other person. You can’t do everything in life alone. / Trustworthiness, multi-tasking. Do more than just classwork. Trust a friend to help with the bully. It could help with jobs because of multi-tasking.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: To look at the “bigger picture”. Staying focused, regardless of how useless class may seem. To think ahead before you make decisions you regret. It can help you build integrity when put in stressful situations. / Openness and trust. You have to be open to learn and trust your teacher. If you can’t trust someone then don’t listen to them. You can talk about emotions. / To build self-confidence and bringing yourself up instead of down. When you’re talking and test you bring yourself up and say you can pass. Know how to say no and be assertive. Because in life you need self-confidence because people are gonna put you down, you just have to know yourself. / How to have self-confidence and peace with yourself. So you can get good grades and be motivated.

Because you know your worth more. Puts myself out there so I can be social.

Mirror Work: Look at Yourself in the eyes (ONLY) and tell yourself that you love or like yourself just the way you are.

Good about myself. / Makes me feel good. / Self-confidence. / Happy, beautiful eyes, proud. / Happy, confident. / Shy, weirded out, proud. / It makes me feel happy. / It made me feel silly but mostly more confident. / It makes me feel good about myself. / It raises my self-esteem. / It makes me feel like Spiderman. / It makes me feel happy. / Strong and proud. / It makes me feel dumb. / Makes me feel weird. / Intellectual. Makes me feel smart. / It makes me feel proud of myself. / Good, proud. / Confident. / Good. / It makes me happy to know I like myself.

Hero: Who is Your Hero and Why do you think are they important? What characteristics or qualities, would you or do you, look for in a Hero?

Mom. Because I would be nothing without her. Caring, honesty, empathetic, trustworthy, responsible leader. / Mom. Tries her best. Dependable, honest, true. / Mother, family. There is always one person that can change you and having loving and support for who is there for you. Being encouraged by everyone that loves us as an individual not someone you’re not. Lovable, caring, trustful, respect. / I think they are important because he’s been there for me. Successful, independent, organized, and goal oriented. / My grandmamma. Only person that’s stayed with me through life. Selflessness, love, humanity. / Eminem, Tupac. They encouraged me to become a rapper. Motivate, courageous, brave. / Batman because he helps others. Grandpa and Grandma.

Took us when we got tookin away. / Mom. Always been there, puts me first, never judges. Caring. / Dustin Pedroia. Because he never gave up even when everyone told him he was too small to compete. Reliable, willing, trustworthy. / Eminem, my mom. Because he’s cool and nice. Because I have been supported by her all my life. Someone who I can relate to, be supported by. / Rylee my teacher. He’s smart and he tries helping people. Powerfulness. / Because they are. Brave, funny. / My mom. Because she always been here for me.

Trust. / Family. They help care and take care of me. Caring, loving, kind. / They help so many people and that’s what I want to be. Trustworthiness, caring, the ability to get a job done. / Aunt. Caring, responsible, respectful, trustworthy, fairness. / My grandma is because she helps me through everything. Because she loves me and cares about me. Caring, responsibility, and trustworthiness. / Superman. Because he helps his community. Honest, trustful, likeable. / Lebron James. Strong, goal oriented, urge to succeed. / Stepmother, does anything for me that she believes is right. They give me the most support and strengthens me. Caring, love, support, hard work. / Mom. She loves me and still by my side through whatever. She does what any mother would do is put herself before her. Loveable, honest. / My Aunt Vickie, Greggory. Because she help

me get through my problem. She is always there for me and is caring and wants me to succeed. She motivates me to go on and to succeed. / Because she is a good role model. Them to be smart/successful.

Seeing Beyond: Educated guessing, using clues, evasiveness. We can use clues to try and figure out problems and be evasive when bothered. We could use clues to fix problems, in life become more proactive to newer situations. / Communication. To help talk to peers and teachers. It would help in all subjects. If no communication, creates bad relationship. / Using your imagination and seeing beyond the surface. For any subject if assigned a project you would need to be creative. Being able to use imagination when needed also being able to make educated guesses. / Trustworthiness and working with what we have turning a negative into a positive. Using creative imagery to get a concrete picture of what we are studying. You need to trust your teachers believing what they say is right.

Trusting people’s directions.

Drawing one’s Fear’s, Hopes and Dreams and Sharing: Everything isn’t as bright as it seems.

Might take a test you say it’s easy, but really it’s hard. You might think he wouldn’t do anything but then he does. You could see life in two perspectives and dark and bright. / To step out of your comfort zone and know that we are sort of related. To ask for help in subjects. To speak up for yourself. To let people know who you are. / Everything isn’t always as bad as it seems. If you fail in a test you still get next time. The bully won’t bring you down. Not bringing myself down. / That everyone can be connected somewhere. Learning how to see our fears and change them some with dreams. By being able to see into our futures and visualize what we like.

Describe a time when you had an experience that you perceived (thought/saw) as negative, but through time or something you did, you perceived (thought/saw) the experience as a positive one.

When my dad left me when I was 5 I was sad and depressed. But now that I know how hard it is to grow up without a dad, I won’t ever leave my kids. / I stole something and I got caught so I felt nervous. I earned to go swimming for doing my chore. / After the death of my cousin Chandler, I thought everything in my life was over. After the death of my cousin Chandler, I thought everything in my life was over. After I talked about it with my parent for awhile, I thought he was in a better place. / At first I felt angry but when I changed I was happy that I could do it again. / When I got a bad grade on my math final and now I know where I need help in to pass it next year. / I got money, but I can’t spend it. At least I’m saving for college. / When I got a bad grade in my biology class when I tried hard. But I learned to try harder and pay more attention. / Practicing football and not being able to see my mom. / I always blamed myself for people’s death, then I realize that I can stop it from happening. / I went to Canyon State. I was mad. Once I was about to leave, I realized I learned a lot. / Getting a C in Algebra 1 as a Freshman, then having to take it again later, but now I realized it helped me with math later on. / Going to my mom’s house but being late. Returning home but we found over twenty dollars. / When my dad used to beat me. / The negative part was when my dad was with my family.

The positive was when my dad left. / When my mom was physically abused in front of me and I didn’t do anything about it. I wish I would’ve done something to try to stop it but realized I couldn’t because I was a kid and he was way bigger than me.

Color: To know that everything has a different color to it. That everyone has a color for them. That some are similar colors for us. / How to use our imagination to have a new perspective. To see our studying in a different way. The creative aspect will come out through our own eyes. / Not to judge.

Not to judge my person looks. Bring more people who care into it.

®

Release the Fear, Inc. ® PO Box 3815 Phoenix, AZ 85030 www.releasethefear.org 602-818 6959

Funded By: RICO Location: U-Turn %Male 100

%Female 0

Dates: May 22-23, 2015 Ages 13-17

Do you think others (Kids my age, older & younger, Adults) have the same Fear as I do?

Pre %YES 74 %NO 17 %Other 29 Post %YES 87 %NO 13 %Other 0 Rate this statement: You feel comfortable speaking in front of others.

Pre % Not at all 9 % Sometimes 82 % All the Time 9 Post % Not at all 9 % Sometimes 65 % All the Time 26 Rate this statement: I believe I can make my hopes and/or dreams come true.

Pre % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 43 % All the Time 57 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 35 % All the Time 65 Rate this statement: I respect my own decisions even when dealing with peer pressure.

Pre % Not at all 4 % Sometimes 61 % All the Time 35 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 52 % All the Time 48 Complete this statement: I am trustworthy and see myself as a __. Follower, Equal, Leader Pre % Follower 4 % Equal 61 % Leader 35 Post % Follower 4 % Equal 49 % Leader 47 Have you ever been bullied? % Yes 74 % No 22 % No Answer 4 Have you ever seen someone being bullied? % Yes 91 % No 9 Did you do anything? % Yes 57 % No 39 % No Answer 4 Did you learn something in the workshop that will help you deal with bullying?

Post % Yes 100 % No 0 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: Working together. / To speak up. / People get bully. Just to be cool. / Know how and when to say “no”. / How to speak up. / How to stand up for self. / Stand up to the bullies, don’t be afraid to speak up. / Stand up for what’s right. / Being assertive. / Help others. / Talk to the other person. / To use teamwork to stop it. / Because I will call them out. / Do something about it. / Have confidence. / Everyone deserve equality. / Respect. / Speaking up for what’s right. / Commonality. / To step up and help those who get bullied. / Other people get picked on for no reason.

After attending the character education workshop and learning about compassion, if you saw someone be bullied, would you do something?

Post % Yes 100 % No 0 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: I would go and talk to the bully. / Tell the bully to back off. / I would help the person by speaking up and telling some. / They might be bigger and I’ll get bullied, but I’ll try to stand up. / Speak up! / Bully the bully campaign. / Speaking up. / Tell them to stop. / I would stand up

for people. / Help. / I would talk to them. / It’s what I’ve always done. / They don’t deserve it. / I would help the victim in any way possible. / Because anyone deserves help. / No one deserves to be hurt. / Stop it. / Stand up to the bully. / It’s what it means. / I would confront the bully or those who are getting bullied. / People need support.

Did you learn any skills, such as respect or responsibility, to help you make your own decisions not based on Peer Pressure?

Post % Yes 96 % No 4 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: Yes, communicating. / I can do my own decisions. / By you thinking what good or bad. / Yes, I know when to use respect and responsibility. / Trust in myself. / Learned responsibility. / I learned about fairness. / Confidence. / I learned how to choose my own decisions. / Responsibility. / You must do what is right. / You should have freedom to make decisions. / Integrity to do the right thing. / Hard work. / Yes it helps me. / Respect for myself and others.

What do you think about color?

What % gave more thought and shared them about color.

Pre 49% Post 100% Thoughts Shared: Pre: I think it has a meaning. / I don’t know. / I love it! / Love color. / You can express yourself with colors. / I guess. / No it’s just color. / No. / It’s the best thing about life. / It make us feel certain ways. / It mean everything and sometimes it doesn’t matter. / No I don’t know what it is. / Orange. / It look cool. / No, I haven’t thought about. / Color is important to the self expression and storytelling of life. / It’s just color. / They make the world unique. / Never thought about it. / It used in music and pictures and expresses emotions. / Never thought about it. / Never thought about color. / Red is a nice color. / No, I don’t like coloring. / Color is the best non-material thing. / I have not thought about color.

Post: Color doesn’t describe who you are, it tells more about what they love to do then to be judge. / It has meaning to it. / Colors can express anything. / The tone of mood that what color is it. / Color has a voice, a vibrant vibe. / It speaks a lot about life. / They are a way to express. / That it makes the world unique. / How certain colors can mean something. / It has many ways of presenting itself to. / It’s not only color, it’s emotions, feelings, and personality. / That is your foundation. / That it has a meaning. / It is a tangible emotion. / It is in everything. / It helps make emotions/thoughts clearer. / Color has many faces. / Color is colorful. / Speaks. / Color is important for laying the foundation. / It has many different traits. / It makes up everything. / Color can explain feelings personality.

My most important hope or dream is. . .

What % gave more thought to their Dreams becoming reality.

Pre 83% Post 100% Thoughts Shared: Pre: Is to see my sister become someone. / I don’t know. / Successful career and marriage, family. / Kids become successful. / To be successful in life. / To get a good job. / Go to college. / Being a Marine. / To play football in the NFL. / It is to become a surgeon. / I don’t’ know. / Be in football professionally. / N/A. / No I don’t have none. / To go home. / Going to college. / Become a professional football player. / Being a cosmetologist and owning my own shop. / Don’t really have one. / To make it to the NBA. / Get a degree and do what I love. / Be successful in life. / Making grandmother proud. / Is to have a lot of money. / To become a computer software programmer. / To have a family. / It’s to become a famous singer/rapper.

Post: To become a football player. / Have a family that I love and care for and join the Marines. / To be with my family. / To be back with my family. / Is to go back to my family. / Football. I want a football career for the 49ers. / I want to be an Olympic wrestler. / Being a cosmetologist. / Be successful. / Is to graduate college successfully. / Is being a Marine. / I want to go to the NFL. / To just become someone. / To become a surgeon. / To change this world. / Is to become a rapper/singer. / Having a good support system and family. / To be back with my family. / Football. / To be successful. / To have a family. / To get a family and support them. / To be a sniper.

One thing I learned in workshop that will help me reach my dream is: Post 100% discovered something new in the workshop.

Thoughts Shared: There are others out there to help and encourage. / Working together. / Communication. / Is to motivate myself. / Keep determination and hard work. / Respect. Respect can help me in the long run where money won’t. / Perseverance and confidence. / Don’t let anyone get in the way drag me down. / Tell myself I’m important. / Is to always use teamwork. / To work hard for what you want. / Always follow your footsteps and turn your negative into a positive. / Speaking up. / Communication, self-confidence. / How to speak up. / Is to make an attempt to try. / Have a good self-confidence. / Equality. / Hard work. / I’m capable of achieving my goals. / How to work with others even if they don’t respect you. / Communication because in order for me to get a family, I have to have a strong heart in relationship. / Determination.

Coming into the workshop, which Character Count did you want to improve or work on to help you? How did the workshop help you improve it?

Post 96% discovered something new in the workshop.

Thoughts Shared: Helped me understand others. / Respect, listen to what others are saying. / Trustworthiness. / Communicating by telling others what I need. / Trustworthy because anybody can be able to trust me so my life can be a bit easier. / Humanity. / Respect. To let others talk and not interrupt and also not judge people off of 1st impressions. / Respect, all of them! / Respect. / Improved responsibility. / Trustworthy, help me to trust others. / Responsibility by taking things into your personality. / Trust. / Respect. / Trustworthiness. / Honesty. Yes the workshop helped me. / It helped me respect what other people lives mean. / Fairness by teaching equality. / Yes. / Trustworthiness, by allowing me to thing about situations before making decisions. / Respect because the group I was in did not respect me a lot but I still showed respect. / Trustworthy.

What did you learn New in the workshop about a classmate or friend?

Post 96% discovered something new about classmates or friends in the workshop Thoughts Shared: Having support makes a big difference for others. / That some have the same fear. / We share the same fear or dream. / To be respectful and be trustworthy. / They have same fear as me. / Music taste. / Experiences. What things certain people have gone through and how it affects them. / That some of my peers have the same fear as me. / They relate to me as well. / That everyone is not all that different. / That some people have the same fear as I do. / They can do things that you didn’t know you couldn’t do. / They have similar fears. / That they too are scared of dying. / People went through what I did. / Color. It’s hard to list them all. / That Jeremiah is afraid to talk in front of people. / Austin wants to be a sniper. / Everyone may have the same fear as you. / People have the same fear I do. / That Greg really cares about others, expressly his brothers. / Nothing. / People are afraid of death.

Thanks to RICO, 13 young lives from The New Foundation experienced their Possibilities.

This workshop took place on May 26-28, 2015.

Opening up possibilities for the young minds of Arizona’s youth for a brighter tomorrow.©

“Bridging Possibility” workshops.

Through stories, activities and artwork, Release the Fear’s Workshops will help students to:  Draw One’s Fears and Awaken Hopes and Dreams  Stimulate Creative Listening and Communication  Bridge Understanding  Discuss How Color Affects Us and Our Environment  Awaken Senses  Heighten Visual Awareness of Our Environment  Turn Pain into Possibilities into Purpose.

The students are divided into four groups or teams that they remain with throughout the workshop. In their small group, the students may be asked to complete an activity, to share responses, or to reflect on an exercise. Often times these groups can have students with different beliefs, various backgrounds, and even opposing gang affiliations. The workshop will end with a group created painting to be displayed for the public.

Participant Responses Participants are asked to reflect on several of the activities and then share with the group.

These responses are written in their words without edit.

The following responses are from the students who range in ages from 11-17.

The students are asked to reflect on the following question: How do you think this activity could help you in your daily life (In School, Out of School, or In Your Career)?

Who am I? : Similar, confident, to learn from. To make better friends. Decrease stereotypes by making friends. It builds character. / What things we have in common. So you don’t feel alone. By showing who you really are. By showing you’re not the only one struggling. / We all shared similarities. Characteristics. Everyone is different. To respect other people. / No judging (get to know). Being friendly to new people. Knowing people before stereotyping. Learn to be friendly.

Creative Storytelling: Passion. You will find purpose. You can learn to love haters. / To help us successfully make our way in life. They are rules that we are expected to follow. To treat others the way you want to be treated. To kill the bullies with kindness. So you can be successful with good characteristics. / Our group learned respect. Being very nice. If you want respect, show respect.

Kindness. / How to really understand something. To learn more visually. We could show people how to change it. How to problem solve.

Through the Hoops: Teamwork. Cooperating in group activity. Communication with peers. Needed for self-benefits. / Teamwork and communication. Teamwork, you need to be a community and help each other in school. You can communicate with the bully. You can work with your bully on the problem. You can use teamwork and communication and use it in the community to help others. When you get older you’ll need to communicate with coworkers. / We learned teamwork. When in the real work you can use teamwork to communicate with peers. / Trust, teamwork. Work together on assignments. Working together to stop bullying. Trusting each other.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: Looking up to someone that has characteristics. To show that you can love yourself for who you are now. You can count on your hero to be there for you. You can believe in yourself to do good. To know you can ignore it. People that want you to be there. To raise your self-esteem. / Learned about our fears. To control ourselves from it. Not alone. Regular human being. / How to love ourselves. More confident. You won’t give in and think of yourself. Be more confident in myself.

Mirror Work: Look at Yourself in the eyes (ONLY) and tell yourself that you love or like yourself just the way you are.

I didn’t do it but if I did, I probably would cry and be upset. / It shows how much I hate myself. / I don’t like seeing myself in the mirror. / It made me actually believe I love myself because I said it genuinely. / It makes me feel better, happier, and more self-confident. / It made me feel okay, not bad or good.

Just okay.

Hero: Who is Your Hero and Why do you think are they important? What characteristics or qualities, would you or do you, look for in a Hero?

My best friend. Because she’s grown up with me. Caring, respect, responsibility, kindness, loyalty, bravery, love. / No one. I don’t have one. I don’t have one. Acceptance. / This is my dad. He is the best. Because he is my dad. I would look for bravery. / Bo Burnham is a comedian that has been able to get me through life.

He’s made me laugh even in my darkest moments. A sense of humor and the ability to see real life as it is not as you want to see it or as it was. / My dog, Grace, is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. She is my hero because she has saved my life so many times. She makes me feel better and gives me a sense of purpose. I look for caring , support, love, responsibility, trustworthy, good citizenship, and respect is also important qualities to have to be a hero! / Demi Lovato. She serves as a good role model for suicidal teens/adults. Understanding, loving, caring, and wisdom.

Seeing Beyond: Faith and intuition. I have faith in myself that I will ace that math test. It can help you build confidence in yourself, others and beliefs. / How to use your heart and brains without sight. Math because you don’t always know the answer. Expands your thoughts. / The similarities. Some try tests and quizzes. Positive thoughts. / Listening and communication and teamwork. It can be used in all subjects because they are a big part of schoolwork. Listening and communication is part of all relationships. Teamwork is a part of jobs.

Inspiring & empowering kids with the tools to make better life choices . . .

Describe a time when you had an experience that you perceived (thought/saw) as negative, but through time or something you did, you perceived (thought/saw) the experience as a positive one.

I really felt mad and anger when I was in this place or in the past and now I have it under control and think about positive. / I think this involves with a lot of situation. / I attempted suicide by depression, but nobody knew because I’ve never shown that I am depressed before, but I have through anger. I went to a place called Aurora and I will never forget that place and the people that I cared about there.

It helped me understand that I’m not the only one. / When getting bullied at school, I got pushed down on tile. I got an X-ray and they found a possible cancer in my knee. / I felt helpless. I’m not prepared. / When I got sick and couldn’t go to a birthday party but everyone who went got sick. / Going into a hospital for drug usage but ending up sober and happy. / I’ve always wanted to know about my birth mom. Everyone said I wasn’t allowed to. It made me upset. After a while I realized they were doing it for my safety and wanted to make sure I was mature and ready enough to know the details. / I was having hallucinations and I thought it was negative. But after I learned how to control it, it was positive. / People judging me at the way I look. I felt lost and lonely. Ignore it. / Coming here. I don’t want to be here. I don’t want to go home. Didn’t accept hospitalization, then I finally accepted that I need help.

Caged to happy. / I wasn’t able to go home one day due to violence in my house. I thought, “I will not go home!, But at least I’m safe.”

®

Release the Fear, Inc. ® PO Box 3815 Phoenix, AZ 85030 www.releasethefear.org 602-818 6959

Funded By: RICO Location: The New Foundation %Male 38

%Female 62

Dates: May 26-28, 2015 Ages 11-17

Do you think others (Kids my age, older & younger, Adults) have the same Fear as I do?

Pre %YES 61 %NO 31 %Other 8 Post %YES 85 %NO 0 %Other 15 Rate this statement: You feel comfortable speaking in front of others.

Pre % Not at all 15 % Sometimes 62 % All the Time 23 Post % Not at all 8 % Sometimes 46 % All the Time 46 Rate this statement: I believe I can make my hopes and/or dreams come true.

Pre % Not at all 8 % Sometimes 54 % All the Time 38 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 54 % All the Time 46 Rate this statement: I respect my own decisions even when dealing with peer pressure.

Pre % Not at all 8 % Sometimes 69 % All the Time 23 Post % Not at all 8 % Sometimes 46 % All the Time 46 Complete this statement: I am trustworthy and see myself as a __. Follower, Equal, Leader Pre % Follower 23 % Equal 38 % Leader 38 Post % Follower 8 % Equal 31 % Leader 61 Have you ever been bullied? % Yes 92 % No 8 Have you ever seen someone being bullied? % Yes 85 % No 15 Did you do anything? % Yes 70 % No 15 % No Answer 15 Did you learn something in the workshop that will help you deal with bullying?

Post % Yes 92 % No 8 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: Talk to them because we’re both equal. / Similarities. / Standing up and being respectful. / I didn’t really understand. / Stand up and we’re not alone. / I learned how to set goals for myself. / Have hope that things will get better. / By having fun and teamwork. / Fight it with happiness.

After attending the character education workshop and learning about compassion, if you saw someone be bullied, would you do something?

Post % Yes 85 % No 15 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: Talk to them. / Please stop. / I would immediately get help. / I always will. I know how it feels. / I would tell them to stop and get help. / I would get an adult. / I would stick up for that person but not hurt the bully. / Don’t get yourself involved. / Because I would get bulled too, possibly beat me.

Did you learn any skills, such as respect or responsibility, to help you make your own decisions not based on Peer Pressure?

Post % Yes 92 % No 8 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: I learned how to use trust and responsibility. / I learned all of the above skills to use. / We learn to not judge. / Responsibility and that I’m not alone. / I learned responsibility for my own actions. / Learn new skills. / I didn’t learn too much.

What do you think about color?

What % gave more thought and shared them about color.

Pre 69% Post 100% Thoughts Shared: Pre: It is nice. / Pretty. / No. / Green, blue, yellow. / Really don’t know. / Nothing. / I don’t think much about it, so I really don’t know. / Color is awesome. / I don’t know cause I’ve never thought of that and if I have I did not know. / I think color is a beautiful mix of shades and light and darks given to people. / Colors are ways to express yourself. / Umm. Colors. / I think about color a lot. I love fashion and I think you can tell a lot by what others wear. / I think color represents a person’s personality. / It’s based on what you think you see.

Post: It means lots. / Music has color. / Feelings. / I think everything has color. That it is unique. / It’s a way of emotions. / I don’t know. / Color is color. / I think color is amazing. Color is in everything. / Color represents a lot. / That there is color in everything. / I think it shows a bright future. / Favorite color is blue. / The same as I did. / That color supports you.

My most important hope or dream is. . .

What % gave more thought to their Dreams becoming reality.

Pre 69% Post 100% Thoughts Shared: Pre: Is to be successful. / To accomplish world dream. / I don’t know. / People love me. / I really don’t know. / Nothing. / Is to become a powerful message with rap. / Is to be a good basketball player. / I do not have one. / I want to be like others (good others). / Is to one day be a successful person with a great job. / To live my life to the fullest. / Start a family. / Is to have a great husband have my business, be successful, and have my / dogs. / I don’t think I have one. / Is that I graduate.

Post: Family I want. / To be successful. / To be strong. / To become a successful artist/singer. / To be happy. / To be in a band. / Being an artist. / Opening my own service dog training business and having a loving husband. / Stay positive and become an archeologist. / To be happy. / Is to become a famous rapper and inspire people. / Having a big family. / Discharging. / Is making the rest of my life happy.

One thing I learned in workshop that will help me reach my dream is: Post 85% discovered something new in the workshop.

Thoughts Shared: To work together. / I can be successful if I try. / Do. / Public speaking and not to be afraid. / Stage fright. I got over it. / To not listen to gossip. / Trustworthiness. / Is to be confident. / To not let the past get to me. / Be my own person. / Confidence helps me get at my dreams. / Release the fear. / Nothing really. / Don’t try to reach just grab.

Coming into the workshop, which Character Count did you want to improve or work on to help you? How did the workshop help you improve it?

Post 92% discovered something in the workshop to improve their Character Count.

Thoughts Shared: Respect. / I want to practice responsibility. / Smile. / Trustworthiness. By helping we realize how to be being open and honest. / Yes, and it did. / Respect. / Trustworthiness. / I wanted to work on responsibility and I learned teamwork. / Supporting others. / Trustworthiness.

It helped me become my own person. / Responsibility. I worked on it by being respectful. / I wanted to be less afraid of girls but going with them made it impossible for me to do that. / It made me understand.

What did you learn New in the workshop about a classmate or friend?

Post 77% discovered something new about classmates or friends in the workshop Thoughts Shared: Lots of similarities. / They’re just like me. / Similarities. / That we all have similarities. / We had similar likes. / I don’t know. / I know everyone pretty well. / We aren’t alone. / I learned that not everyone is happy. / That some people are similar to me. / That we all have similar problems. That we’ll get through things together. / Not too much. Most I already knew. / I have some of the same problems.

Inspiring & empowering kids with the tools to make better life choices . . .

Thanks to RICO, 6 young lives from Southwest Learning Academy experienced their Possibilities.

This workshop took place on June 11, 2015.

Opening up possibilities for the young minds of Arizona’s youth for a brighter tomorrow.©

“Bridging Possibility” workshops.

Through stories, activities and artwork, Release the Fear’s Workshops will help students to:  Draw One’s Fears and Awaken Hopes and Dreams  Stimulate Creative Listening and Communication  Bridge Understanding  Discuss How Color Affects Us and Our Environment  Awaken Senses  Heighten Visual Awareness of Our Environment  Turn Pain into Possibilities into Purpose.

The students are divided into four groups or teams that they remain with throughout the workshop. In their small group, the students may be asked to complete an activity, to share responses, or to reflect on an exercise. Often times these groups can have students with different beliefs, various backgrounds, and even opposing gang affiliations. The workshop will end with a group created painting to be displayed for the public.

Participant Responses Participants are asked to reflect on several of the activities and then share with the group.

These responses are written in their words without edit.

The following responses are from the students who range in ages from 14-16.

The students are asked to reflect on the following question: How do you think this activity could help you in your daily life (In School, Out of School, or In Your Career)?

Who am I? : Learning who you are. Communication. Talking. Not judge others. / Learning about yourself. Communication. Communication. To not judge others.

Creative Storytelling: Memory. Remembering. Tell him not to do it. Responsibility. / Improving memory. You will have an answer. You can tell him not to do that. Responsibility.

Through the Hoops: Teamwork. To not want to do everything by yourself. Help the person realize.

Respect. / Teamwork. When being a project. Seeing someone help you. Projects as jobs.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: To have a hero to look up to. Be your hero when someone’s in trouble. Take actions as your hero. Do what your hero does in life.

Drawing one’s Fear’s, Hopes and Dreams and Sharing: Express yourself. Art class. Color.

Express. / Learned to look beyond the eye. You can think about things. You can think and walk away. Thinking helps.

Describe a time when you had an experience that you perceived (thought/saw) as negative, but through time or something you did, you perceived (thought/saw) the experience as a positive one.

When I cursed at my mom. / I don’t know. Never saw or thought. / I thought someone trynna jack the gas station because he walked out with stuff, but then he came back in cuz he had forgot to pay. I felt, like kinda surprised. / When I beat some kid up for bullying and after he stopped bullying no more. / I thought this girl was a that but instead I talked to her and seen how she was. She was very nice and so I asked her out. / Color: The way you feel. Express yourself. Color way I feel. / When drawing together we make something great. Teamwork helps. You can always work with others.

Overall, something New about Self or Others in your Group: Communication, teamwork, respect.

Inspiring & empowering kids with the tools to make better life choices . . .

Release the Fear, Inc. ÂŽ PO Box 3815 Phoenix, AZ 85030 www.releasethefear.org 602-818 6959

Funded By: RICO Location: Southwest Learning Academy %Male 100

%Female 0

Dates: June 11, 2015

Ages 14-16

Do you think others (Kids my age, older & younger, Adults) have the same Fear as I do?

Pre %YES 20 %NO 40 %Other 40 Rate this statement: You feel comfortable speaking in front of others.

Pre % Not at all 20 % Sometimes 80 % All the Time 0 Post % Not at all _0 % Sometimes 60 % All the Time 40 Rate this statement: I believe I can make my hopes and/or dreams come true.

Pre % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 40 % All the Time 60 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 40 % All the Time 60 Rate this statement: I respect my own decisions even when dealing with peer pressure.

Pre % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 0 % All the Time 100 Complete this statement: I am trustworthy and I see myself as a __. Follower, Equal, Leader Pre % Follower 0 % Equal 29 % Leader 100 Have you ever been bullied? % Yes 20 % No 80 Have you ever seen someone being bullied? % Yes 100 % No 0 Did you do anything? % Yes 100 % No 0 % No Answer 0 What do you think about color?

What % gave more thought and shared them about color.

Pre 60% Thoughts Shared: Pre: That is doesn’t matter what color are. / It has feelings. / No. / Nature.

My most important hope or dream is. . .

What % gave more thought to their Dreams becoming reality.

Pre 100% Thoughts Shared: Pre: I want to rap and design my own car. / Is to be successful and wealthy. / To get rich and buy my mom a house. / Is do me. Make music. / I’m successful.

One thing I learned in workshop that will help me reach my dream: Post 100% discovered something new in the workshop.

Thoughts Shared: Communicate, believe in yourself. / Think a little different. / Is to always be confident. / Realize your future. Picture it. / Teamwork.

Rate this statement: On a scale from 1 to 10, ten being the most, one being the least. I feel appreciated or that what I do matters at work: 10, 5, 10, 10, 7.

Yes or No: I feel comfortable working as a team.

Post % Yes 80 % No 0 % No Answer 20 Yes or No: I feel comfortable working alone.

Post % Yes 80 % No 20 % No Answer 0 Yes or No: I feel alone in my feelings and that no one else understands me.

Post % Yes 40 % No 60 % No Answer 0 What was your favorite activity in the workshop?

Post 100% had a favorite activity in the workshop.

Thoughts Shared: Everything. / Paint. / Painting. / Painting. / Painting.

I learned something in this session that will be able to use in my work and/or everyday life.

Post % Strongly Agree 20 % Agree 80 % Neutral 0 %Disagree 0 Did you learn anything that would help you improve your communication skills?

Post % Not at all 0 % Maybe 40 % Yes 60 %Other 0 My time in the workshop was well spent and I had fun.

Post % Strongly Agree 40 % Agree 40 % Neutral 20

%Disagree 0

Inspiring & empowering kids with the tools to make better life choices . . .

Thank you Maricopa County Attorney's Office, through RICO funding for the opportunity and for believing in our mission and vision ,that each and every child is deserving to be inspired and empower with the tools to make better life choices. Today they are that much closer to finding their gifts they have to share with the world around them.

Most sincerely,

Robert J Miley CEO and Founder

Office- 302 W. Monroe in Downtown Phoenix Mailing-332 W. Lynwood Phoenix, AZ 85003 info@release the fear.org www.releasethefear.org