Florence crittenton 4combined report character ed 2014 2015 report final 5 17 2015

CHARACTER EDUCATION 2014 - 2015 REPORT Florence Crittenton Girls Leadership Academy

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

R

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

Thanks to the foresight Arizona Department of Education

for funding character education for Florence Crittenton Girls Leadership Academy This is the Final Report of 4 different workshops making a difference in 52 young lives.

Tomorrow's leaders in Arizona, experience their hope and dreams. They are now Inspiring and empowered find their gifts, know that they matter and lead a more meaningful productive life and a brighter tomorrow.

W

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

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 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 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.

2014 - 2015 RELEASE THE FEAR 2014 - 2015 RTF Pre/Post Survey Results Character Education OVERALL PERCENTAGES 52 Students (4 BP Workshops) Male 0% Female 86% – Youth Ages 14-19 97% discovered something new about themselves 93.8% discovered something new about classmates and friends.

Pre 67.5% compared to Post 83% realized that they are not alone in their fears.

Pre 97.8% compared to Post 100% realized that they can make their dreams a reality.

86.8% learned something to help them deal with bullying.

97% stated that they would do something if they saw someone being bullied.

Individual Workshop Percentages 1. September 3, 10, 12, 2014 Florence Crittenton Girls Leadership Academy 5 Students (1 IO-BP Workshops) Male 0% Female 100% – Youth Ages 15-17 100% discovered something new about themselves 100% discovered something new about classmates and friends.

Pre 100% compared to Post 80% realized that they are not alone in their fears.

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

80% learned something to help them deal with bullying.

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

2. November 17-20 2014 Florence Crittenton Girls Leadership Academy 12 Students (1 IO-BP Workshops) Male 0% Female 100% – Youth Ages 14-19 100% discovered something new about themselves 92% discovered something new about classmates and friends.

Pre 42% compared to Post 83% realized that they are not alone in their fears.

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

92% learned something to help them deal with bullying.

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

3. January 12-15 2015 Florence Crittenton 13 Students (1 IO-BP Workshops) Male 0% Female 100% – Youth Ages 14-15 92% discovered something new about themselves 92% discovered something new about classmates and friends.

Pre 46% compared to Post 92% realized that they are not alone in their fears.

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

84% learned something to help them deal with bullying.

92% stated that they would do something if they saw someone being bullied.

4. April 6-9 2015 Girls Leadership Academy 22 Students (1 IO-BP Workshops) Male 0% Female 100% – Youth Ages 16-19 96% discovered something new about themselves 91% discovered something new about classmates and friends.

Pre 82% compared to Post 77% realized that they are not alone in their fears.

Pre 91% compared to Post 100% realized that they can make their dreams a reality.

91% learned something to help them deal with bullying.

96% stated that they would do something if they saw someone being bullied.

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 r emained 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 Florence Crittenton Girls Leadership Academy and The Arizona Department of Character Education Matching Grant.

Program Budget: Bridging Possibilities Workshop: Budget 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

Budget for 4 Workshops

$680.00 $300.00

$2,720.00 $1,200.00

$150.00 $ 70.00

$ 600.00 $ 280.00

$ 80.00 $ 60.00

$ 320.00 $ 240.00

$260.00 $ 50.00

$1,040.00 $ 200.00

TOTAL FOR 1 WORKSHOP $1,650.00

$ 6,600.00

Total

$6,600.00

Cost Breakdown per workshop with average of 18 youth each: Average cost per daily session: $550.00 Average cost per youth per session $30.55 Per Capita cost per youth workshop:$91.66 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 = $1,000.00

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

.

.

Release the Fear’s mission, since 1996, is to counter the effects of violence in our communities by turning fear, anger, and hate into acceptance, hope, and self empowerment, bridging endless possibilities through the creative process

.

Thanks to Character Education, 5 young lives from Florence Crittenton Girls Leadership Academy experienced their Possibilities.

This workshop took place on September3,10,12 2014.

“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)?

Who am I? : Not label people, create a new path. No judging, will lead to bullying. People won’t take it the wrong way. Become respectful towards others. / To be open minded, communicate. We have to be open minded and communicate to create such a close knit community. Gives you a better chance to see and learn who the person is. Working with others and communicating.

Creative Storytelling: To be creative, work together, interaction. Work together, with public speaking. Coming as a team. Expressing! Be leader, speak at, be yourself. / Expression, communication, teamwork. No judgment, the art focused classes. Saying something, self-expression. We all need a way to express ourselves or it becomes bottled up and it eventually overflows.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: Senses, description. English essay, being more descriptive with 5 senses.

Be more confident about yourself. Become a better describer. / Confidence, respect, responsibility. Homework, speaking up. Confident in your choice against influence. Everyday choices, chores.

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

When I looked into the mirror to say that “I like you just the way you are”, it made me feel weird because I’m not used to saying things to myself like that. I felt awkward because I thought that it wasn’t true. / Looking at myself only in the eyes in the mirror makes me feel awkward. Reason why is because it is something that I never do. It feels like it is something so hard to do, but this is why because we don’t love ourselves how we are. I myself judge myself every day, but don’t compliment myself a nice thing at all.

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 mom and dad are my heroes and they are important because they have taught me since day 1 what is right and what is wrong. They keep me from going to the wrong path. They motivate me to succeed so that way I won’t have to struggle like they did when they were young. Some characteristics I look for in a hero is someone who keeps me motivated. Someone who takes up their spot and proves me wrong. Someone who is a leader, has dedication, and is someone who actually cares about me. / My hero is my dad. My dad is a man who didn’t care to be a single parent of 3 children and have other responsibilities. He didn’t even think about it, he automatically took charge of us and has never failed or quit on my or my brothers. My dad is important for me because since the day my mom decided to live my family, my dad did not back out on me and my brothers. My dad day by day has known how to maintain a meal, clothes, and a shelter for his children. He has been my friend, father, and someone I truly admire and appreciate for not leaving his kids behind. One of some of the qualities that I look for in a hero would be their personality, trust, and most off all the effort they give to help others, to help and change people’s lives or world. Make a place a better place. Someone who puts their heart and mind into doing a change!

Seeing Beyond: Describing. English with better essays. Be a better writer, use better 5 senses in life. / Descriptiveness, thinking, IQ. English, math, science, public speaking. Stores, words before action.

Drawing one’s Fear’s, Hopes and Dreams and Sharing: Distinguish obstacles. To avoid obstacles in school.

To avoid people who will be obstacles. By distinguishing our fears we can overcome them. / Knowing what you want in life, thinking. Help you stay on track. Think ahead, think before action. Setting life goals.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: To turn negative to a positive. Be more proactive. To be more positive. / How to take something negative to something positive. Not give up and give it a chance. Try. When something seems hard in life, give it a change and make something positive out of it.

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.

My mom did not let me go to a party and I was really mad but that night, some guys had shown up at the party and people started fighting. / When my mom did not let me move schools for sophomore year. However now I am thankful that she didn’t because I met friends that are so amazing and also I learned a lot in this school on who will be there for you. / When my parents split up I thought my brothers and I were gonna be alone but my dad stayed and now I have become a stronger person. / I wanted to not go to the AZ You’re Hired but made some cool friends.

Overall, something New about Self or Others in your Group: The things that I learned is that to be respectful, citizenship, and fairness. This can help me by helping my friends on their problems. Also on not going off on people because what others think and be fair to everyone and respect others the way I want to be respected. / Something that I learned was that I am trustworthy, caring, and respectful. I am trustworthy because my friends and family members trust in me. I also need to trust in myself to become an anesthesiologist. I am caring because I care for my friends and family. I need this later in life to care about patients’ health. I am respectful because I respect others for what they do and I will need this later in life because I will need to respect myself and other people in my life.

Funded By: Character Education Location: Florence Crittenton %Male 0

%Female 100

Dates: September 3-12, 2014

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 %Maybe 0 Post %YES 80 %NO 0 %Maybe 20 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 20 % Sometimes 80 % 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 0 % All the Time 100 Rate this statement: I respect my own decisions even when dealing with peer pressure.

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

Post % Yes 80 % No 20 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: Communicating and expressing. / Be fairness and don’t judge others by looks. / To not judge everyone, but get to know them better. / Speak up, not be afraid. / Only attended 2 class.

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: Stand up and speak up. / Because I believe that all they need is someone to help them and show them that they are not alone. / It would stick up to them and do something about it. / To make a change.

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

Post % Yes 100 % No 0 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: Expressing. / Make up my mind! And don’t let anyone tell me what to do! / Because I should be able to do what I believe and stick up to myself. / Take time to make decisions.

What do you think about color?

What % gave more thought and shared them about color.

Pre 80% Post 100% Thoughts Shared: Pre: No I never thought about color and I don’t know what to think about color? / I think color is nice. Every color is unique. / I think that each person has a color that defines them and that at times even if the world is black and white, no one is solely one but a mixture of both creating different shades of gray. / I think everyone should be equal no matter what color you are. / I think it doesn’t matter about color. Everyone unique in their own ways.

Post: I still feel the same but my idea of color is unique. / I think that it is unnecessary to judge people by color also that it is a beautiful thing to be different! / Well we shouldn’t judge anyone based on color! We should know them better. / Colors are pretty. There are colors that can make you feel happy, emotional, or sad. / Be descriptive, don’t hold back.

My most important hope or dream is. . .

What % gave more thought to their Dreams becoming reality.

Pre 100% Post 100% Thoughts Shared: Pre: Get scholarships and graduate high school and go to college. / Graduate high school and go to college.

Finish the career I want to do and get scholarships…lots of them. / Is to remain true to myself no matter what field in life I decide to go into even with other people’s opinions pushing me down. / My most important dream is to be able to go to a university to make my parents happy and to be successful in life. / My important hope or dream is to graduate high school and go to mechanic school.

Post: To move to Japan and discover who I want to be. / Is to get a lot of scholarships and go to college also have a fun job!! / Is being successful and doing the best I can be to make my parents proud of me. / Go to college, graduate high school. / Living in a world where everyone is seen as equal.

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 express and visualize. / Is to believe that I will make it and believe in myself! / Is to be confident and to believe that I can do it instead of giving up. / Use 5 senses to write better paper. / Not to give up.

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

Post 80% discovered something new in the workshop.

Thoughts Shared: Yes. / Is on thinking faster thinking on my feet! / That it’s okay to see yourself and say what you like about yourself. / That I am a strong person and can help others with issues. / Not really.

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 Sabri is afraid of UFOs. / I learned different fears that each of them had and their dreams and hopes! / That someone went to a Jewish convent? / That they like all sorts of food, go to church, and cat with family. / Alison wants to live in Japan like my other friend.

What has this workshop taught you about what Art can do for your community?

Post 100% discovered something that Art can do for their community.

Thoughts Shared: It can open doors for people. / It taught me that art can make a difference.

Thanks to Character Education, 12 young lives from Florence Crittenton Girls Leadership Academy experienced their Possibilities.

This workshop took place on November 17-20, 2014.

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 14-19.

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? : Social, active, get to know each other. Gives you voice. It’s smaller and you know everyone. People would assume you’re shy, but you show them you’re confident. Gives you confidence. / Social, honest, confident.

When you get in trouble you got to be honest. You’re not gonna assume. Public speaking, computer work. / To not judge a book by its cover. When a new student comes or learning a new subject. To get to know someone before judging. By meeting new people and learning about something new. / Confidence. Presentations. Not judging. Be yourself.

Creative Storytelling: Expressing, memory. Test, study, be yourself, social. Defend someone who needs help.

Achieve goal, leader. / Memorization, insight on a person creativity. Studyfor tests, creative writing, public speaking. Having an insight to avoid judging people. Building our confidence. / Creativity. When we have a project (science fair). Getting to learn what others can do to not judge. By doing/trying new things. / Imagination, memory, studying in tests. Express yourself, remembering. No judging people, think positive. Help us think positive.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: Confidence, accomplishment, determination. Determined to succeed your classes. Helps you to know what right/wrong. Achieve greater things in life. / Success, bravery, confidence, personality. Public speaking, making friends. Stand up for what you believe in. Working good with others. / Bravery, confidence. Helps us grow. Standing up for yourself. Helps become a leader, successful. / Confidence and positive. To be successful. To be confident about yourself and not give up. To reach your goals.

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 confidence, strange, and uncomfortable. / This exercise makes me feel good about myself. I feel this way because I rarely tell myself that I love myself so I sometimes forget. / Unique, different. / Weird. / Well…this makes me feel awkward and weird and conceited. / Awesome, happy, sad, awkward. / Awkward, conceited. / Made me think of what I like in myself and weird, disappointed. / Uncomfortable, unsatisfied, little narcissistic.

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 mom. Because she is always there for me and never judges my decisions. Also she is caring and loving. Loving, caring, understanding, supportive, being their self, strong confident, nice, amazing, preset at all times. / Batman is my favorite hero because he is amazing. He helps people and he protects them. He is not real only in movies. His enemy is the Joker. He is important in the movie because he helps out others. What I look for in a hero: nice, helpful, protective, cool, saving people.

My mom is also my hero. My mom is my hero because she’s always trying to guide me into the right future and she’s always had some kind of struggles but it never held her back from trying to keep moving forward. Also because she taught me how to be an independent person just like her and she’s always trying to do as much as she can to make sure I’m happy and she doesn’t let anything, anyone get in the way of her trying to achieve. / They are my role model. My mom has achieved so much. She has support me with everything. Achieve so much. I look for loyal, confident, be overachiever, positive. / My heroes are my mom, my dad, and my grandma. My mom and my grandma because they have always been there for me and they have got through hard times because they are brave. And my dad because he saved lots and lots of people. I look for bravery, kindness, and selflessness in a hero. / Mom. Because we work as a team. / My mom. She encourages me.

Success, bravery, determination, confidence, honesty. / Kevin Ortiz. I think he is important because people be saying, “he is ugly”, “he looks like a girl”, “He don’t sing good”, or “he is just famous because his brother is famous”, and instead of self defeating himself because of all those bad commentaries stupid people make, he remains confident and successful and keeps singing his cute songs. The characteristics or qualities I look for in a hero are confidence, respect, leadership, honesty, trustworthiness, positive attitude, and determination. / My mummy. / My mom because she’s been through a lot and she is still strong. My cousin cause I can be myself around him and he is weird like me. Strength and confidence. / My lovely is my hero because she gotten back no matter how hard the problem is. She has taught me to be brave and that I can achieve my goals. / My father basically runs the family. He is the lifeline of this family. If he dies this family would fall apart, shrivel up and die out. We would grow distant from each other. My father is a provider and caretaker. He is influential for me and my sister.

He is inspirational because he enforces good values in the family. / Zendaya from Shake It Up. Because she’s a model and I look up to her. To stay being a positive person.

Seeing Beyond: Participation, details, senses, imagination. Confidence, imagination, creativity. Have time to think. / Participation, teamwork, voice. Math, science when you have a group project. A job being brave. / Participation, voice, details. Math – by being precise in numbers likes graphs, science – with the scientific method.

Planning and choosing goals. / Brain, knowledge, senses, voice, mind eye, participation. Science, math, reading, writing. Using your senses. Can help by getting through hard times.

Drawing one’s Fear’s, Hopes and Dreams and Sharing: Hopes, accomplishing dreams, optimism. Gives motivation. Gives courage to stand up for yourself. It helps make you determined to accomplish more in life. / Hope, optimism, memory. Studying for tests. You don’t care anymore when you become confident. When you have a home. / Determination, hopes. Helping us grow. They go through the same as you do, makes you stronger. Makes you a better person. / Recognizing our fears and analyzing our goals. When you have to share this. It makes you stronger and not let people step over you. It makes you confident and gives you more strength.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: Confidence, self-worth, could get worse. It gives you motivation to do better.

Gives you leadership. / Confidence, self-worth, determination. Public speaking. Helps to accomplish dreams. / Learn from mistakes, confidence. Don’t get in trouble. Persevere, confidence, reach our goals. / Confidence, determination, and perseverance. To acknowledge what you learn from stuff. To see the positive side of things.

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 lost a close friend and at first I was really depressed about it but now I can care less about her and gained new better people to surround myself with. / In the summer of the 7 th grade I was invited to go to a summer engineering/robotics camp. I didn’t want to be there but was happy. So I try to make it happy and at the end there was a competition and it was a funny, different experience. / When my auntie and uncle died from drugs and drinking too much, I was very sad. Then that’s when I learned that I won’t turn out to be like them and I turned their deaths into a positive lesson. / Something negative was my dad leaving but then I realized that if he was still here I wouldn’t be as free as I am right now. / When having to present my poetry writing. At first I felt sick because I knew I was nervous and bad at presenting in front of the class. I was also scared. But then when I was done, I felt it was an accomplishment. That I improved myself and I was happy that I went up. And I got a good grade! / When my dad left I felt really discouraged and I felt like I was useless but then when I started to get better and that’s when he started to get miserable and that was when we had already moved on and there was another man in our life who really cared for us and never left. / I went camping with my church, thinking it was going to be negative and boring but in reality, it was fun and wonderful. / Filling out the wrong papers for Metro Tech because I found Glaaz. / I sucked soccer and now I am better. / I was sad because my puppy was dying and she did. I still remember that day but I try to forget. It is still negative for me. / I used to hat cats but now I like them. / When my dog died but then I got over it because I didn’t have any more responsibilities to worry about. / I was sad about losing a friend but as time passed so did my feelings because that person wasn’t worth it. / My attitude when people don’t tell me what to do. / Last year at my old school this girl was being bullied and I felt bad because no one did anything about it. When everything got better when someone stood up for I was happy for her. And I noticed that everyone is different. No one is normal.

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

.

.

Funded By: Character Education Dates: November 17-20, 2014 Location: Florence Crittenton Girls Leadership Academy %Male 0

%Female 100

Ages 14-19

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

Pre %YES 42 %NO 50 %Other 3 Post %YES 83 %NO 17 %Other 0 Rate this statement: You feel comfortable speaking in front of others.

Pre % Not at all 17 % Sometimes 75 % All the Time 8 Post % Not at all 17 % Sometimes 50 % All the Time 33 Rate this statement: I believe I can make my hopes and/or dreams come true.

Pre % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 50 % All the Time 50 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 58 % All the Time 42 Rate this statement: I respect my own decisions even when dealing with peer pressure.

Pre % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 42 % All the Time 58 Post % Not at all 8 % Sometimes 42 % All the Time 50 Complete this statement: I am trustworthy and see myself as a __. Follower, Equal, Leader Pre % Follower 0 % Equal 67 % Leader 33 Post % Follower 0 % Equal 33 % Leader 67 Have you ever been bullied? % Yes 67 % No 33 Have you ever seen someone being bullied? % Yes 100 % No 0 Did you do anything? % Yes 67 % No 25 % No Answer 8 Did you learn something in the workshop that will help you deal with bullying?

Post % Yes 92 % No 8 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: To be confident. / That you need to not stereotype people. / It taught me to stand up to it. / Bullies deal with the same. / Be confident. / Confidence helps with bullying. / Have confidence in yourself. / Standing up for myself. / Stand up/speak. / Because they didn’t talk about it. / It’s not cool! / Respect.

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 stand up for that person. / People have already trouble, why do one need to add more? / Because it never hurts to help someone. / I would speak out. / Stand up for them. / I would tell an adult/teacher. / I don’t like friends getting bullied. / Stand up for them. / It is rude not to help. / Trusting. / Stand up for them. / Tell someone.

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

Post % Yes 100 % No 0 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: Yes, to respect myself, and love myself. / I need to have confidence to stand up for what I believe in. / Yes I did. / I learned patience and respect. / I learned to have my own voice. / I learned to have more confidence in my decision on what is wrong or right. / Motivation. / I can do anything not their thing. / Respect everyone. / Respect. / I can’t be controlled. / No one can make fun of you.

What do you think about color?

What % gave more thought and shared them about color.

Pre 83% Post 100% Thoughts Shared: Pre: No. I see and base my feelings on people’s behavior and personality. / I think that color shapes our world.

Color is beautiful and without it, our lives would be empty. Color gives people meaning and motivation. / I think everyone has a favorite color and I love my favorite color pink. / I love color because without color, the world would be different. / Color is a way to express your personality. / Color doesn’t matter. Sometimes like when I think pink is for girls and not boys. / Sometimes color can express yourself. To me, I like. / It can make an impact on your mood. / I honestly don’t know. / I think it expresses your mood. / I think of a rainbow. / I do not understand your question. / There’s different color. / I think color is cool. Yes. / It doesn’t really bother me. / I think color is all black and white with variations that are perceived differently and yet at the same time there is no black and white but only different shades of grey.

Post: I think color is a type of expression and I learned that color can represent anything. / Color is a form of expression. / Colors can describe your moods. / It shows diversity. / It is the mood of something. / Color helps express what you are feeling. / Without it I can’t tell anything. / It is an important thing in life. / Yes color is everything and everywhere. / That it is awesome. / Expression. / Describes people.

My most important hope or dream is. . .

What % gave more thought to their Dreams becoming reality.

Pre 100% Post 100% Thoughts Shared: Pre: Is to be successful enough to influence someone. / To become a police officer or detective…or doctor. To be an inspiration for someone or people and to save people. / Become a lawyer. / Is to become a veterinarian. / Graduate high school and college. / To become a doctor or surgeon. / My most important dream would to graduate the university with my Master’s and visit the world. / Is to become an Industrial Engineer or an engineer in computer science. / To become happily successful, graduate high school and college, and help others in need. / To either be a musician or an author. / To be a photographer. / To be a pediatrician. / I want to be a famous Youtuber so I can help rescue with no money. / To finish high school, go to college. / My dream is become a detective. / Is to be a model. / To destroy all labels that either myself or society places on me.

Post: To reach my goals and never give up. / My most important dream is travel the world and become a writer. / To help others. / To get away from labels. / Owning my own photography business. / To graduate high school and become a musician. / Having my mom crying for happiness of me. / Is to become an industrial engineer. / Vet/Youtuber. / Is to become a teacher. / Graduate. / Finish high school, go to college.

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 have self-confidence. / To reach my dreams, I need to have determination. / To always have perseverance. / That color can show diversity. / Be determined. / I learned to have more confidence in myself and to have more confidence in my goals. / Have confidence. / Never give up. / Art can turn art into anything. / Try harder. / Work. / Confidence.

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

Post 100% discovered something new in the workshop.

Thoughts Shared: I learned that I am confident. / I learned that I need to have confidence. / That you can do anything if you set your mind to it. / Nothing cause I wasn’t here for the whole thing. / That I’m determined to reach my goal. / I learned that I am capable of achieving my goals. / I am happy for who I am. / I have to change my attitude. / Art is everything. / I’m more awesome. / I’m strong. / Be confident.

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

Post 92% discovered something new about classmates or friends in the workshop Thoughts Shared: I learned that some of my classmates are more mature than they seemed. / I learned that some people have similar fears (loss of abilities and death). / That a lot of people are the same in one way. / That they hold similar fears. / What their fear is. / I learned that some of my peers have the same fears and goals as me. / They have same fears as me. / They have similar fears as I do. / No I already knew. / They’re different. / Everyone is different.

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

.

.

Thanks to Character Education, 13 young lives from Florence Crittenton Facility experienced their Possibilities. This workshop took place on January 12-15, 2015.

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

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 14-15.

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? : Trusting people, getting to know each other. Not being shy. You’re gonna ask them; not judge them.

Sociable/confident. / Open-minded. Willing to listen to others without judgment. Not judging by their covers. By respecting them. / Got to know each other. Get work done much faster. You don’t judge people early. You will have more social skills. / Tell feel more sociable with my peers. Make friends and no shyness. To get to know the person. Make friends and open up and be confident.

Creative Storytelling: Trustworthy. Not being shy. Telling someone else. Trust people. / Teamwork, helpfulness. Helping other student when in need. Because when someone is down, you can go and talk to them.

Selecting co-workers. / We worked together. Be brave and speak louder and don’t be shy. To get along better with each other. How to be a better respective person. / To participate in a team and trust each other.

Participation to pass classes. Bully won’t have time to bully kids. Well if you participate then you will get further in life and succeed.

Through the Hoops: Trusting/teamwork, communication. Public speaking. Tell someone. Have a good job. / Help, trust, partnership. When you need help with work. Trust that your friends will have your back. Work together and be able to get things done. / Teamwork and trust other people. How to work faster and better. Everybody stands up for each other. Working together you will be more successful. / Teamwork and communication. With group work. Integrated with others. Work with people with jobs.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: Caring. Helping others. Trust someone. Be more caring. / How to help others. When someone needs help with homework. When someone is thinking about doing something bad they can talk you out of it. Because knowing that you have helped someone can be life changing. / Being kind and helpful. Making more friends you will have each other back. If you’re kind, people around you will be kind too.

People will think of you as a positive person. / To be kind. Help you make more friends. Change people’s hearts.

Have a strong leadership.

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 interested, surprised, and wonderful. / It made me feel weird and at the same time pretty nice but then everything goes back to what I really think. / Loved, weird, tired. / It feels weird and uncomfortable and pretty. / Happy, confident, pretty. / Makes me want to be how the inside looking to see I’ve done wrong. / Loving, cute, amazing. It makes me feel good about myself sometimes. / I didn’t really feel any emotion, but after a couple more tries I felt better/self-confident about myself. / It makes me feel good about myself and it makes me look at myself in a different way. / I felt awkward and weird. / It makes me feel confident in who I’m as a person.

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 and Dad. Cause they are brave and have success for their child. Mom and Dad. / Because of everything he went through and still stayed with us and til now he has showed me better than anyone and no matter what he always smiles.

Honest, mind read, loyal, unselfish, trustworthy, responsible. / Mom. Loving, kind, caring, committed, strong. Because she is my mom and I love her. Fairness, respectful, responsible, caring. / My mom. Because they take care of me. Love. / My mom is my hero because she’s always with me and takes care of me. I believe she’s important because she does everything for me. Love, protection. / Grandma Helen. How they affect me. How they’ll affect me and our similarities and differences. / Because she tells me what wrong or right she’s just like another mother to me. Rich homie too much. / My soccer coach/family friend. Because he was the one who talked me out of doing something that would have ended my life and he helped me get through most of my situations. Self-confidence, positive. / My Grandma. Because she always said the right thing to help me out when I truly needed someone. Respectful and truly healing when you’re down. / My neighbor. I think she is important because she has a girl who is sick and her daughter can’t walk or do anything and she has to feed her every day.The characteristics and qualities that I’m looking for in a hero is that they need to be brave, always looking for others and are carrying. / God. They are important to me because they make me feel happy and lighten up my life. Respectful, trustworthy, responsible. / My hero is my mom because she takes care of me. What we in important. I think because we should know who we are and know others. What I would look for a hero is that knows to save me so nothing happen to me or us that a hero for me! / I think she is important to me because she puts others needs before hers even if hers is just important. She will find the time to help me or talk to me. She is very kind and open to anything and is strong believer in God, which I love. Loyal, honest, unselfish, religious, trustworthy.

Seeing Beyond: Thinking. Science and math. By describing something. / Describe, ask questions. When you don’t understand what you’re doing in class. Because you’re not going to always know everything so asking questions will help with that. / Thinking skills, comprehension skills. You need to think 24/7 to excel in school. It’s a skill of critical thinking.

Write about a time when you were trustworthy or caring and helped someone else in a positive way. How did it feel afterward?

When someone didn’t know how to approach her friend/boyfriend and she asked me how should I do this, I told her what she can say and to do just say it from the heart and that’s what she did. / I went to Safeway and on the way out a homeless man asked me for a dollar so I gave him a dollar. I felt pretty good about myself. / Well this happened on Monday. I had McDonald’s for breakfast and I got two burritos. I gave one of them to a homeless person. I felt really bad for him. He looked like he hasn’t eaten in days. I felt like a good person afterwards. / A time I have be caring is when I care for my brother education and help him with his homework. Makes me feel good because help my younger brother. / When my sister was depressed I helped her be happy again cause I was the reason she was sad in the first place. So I felt like it was my job to and now we are so close and I’m the only person who can really make her laugh. / When I helped my little sister that was struggling with her homework. I told her if she needed help and she said yeah. I felt good afterward. / Well a time I helped someone out was a neighbor needed help carrying stuff up some stairs and I helped her do it and now she counts on me to help if I see her needing help. Afterwards I felt accomplished and helpful. / I helped my dad clean the car when he had it. I was being kind. / I helped my mom clean the house when she didn’t feel good. I felt caring afterward because I was being helpful and kind. / What I would do is that I would take my brother because they are is the best what I had. It felt great! / I tell my mom everything I do. And I care a lot about her. / I took care of my lil brother and sister. I felt good because I’m helping my mom. / I took care of my little brother and it feel so good. / When I took care of my godsister when my godmother went to the baile and it felt good cause she’s my favorite! / I am approached by my friends to give them advice. Being the good friend I am, I do and it makes me feel better knowing that I was able to give someone advice for something they were struggling with. / My friend fell down a bunch of stairs and was bleeding a lot. I cleaned up her leg and put bandages on her.

I went with her to the doctor’s office. I felt good and useful. / When a friend was getting bullied, I did everything I could to stop the argument/fight. I felt scared, but confident because I was the only one able to stop it. I was scared because I was also threatened.

Funded By: Character Education Location: Florence Crittenton %Male 0

%Female 100

Dates: January 12-15, 2015

Ages 14-15

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

Pre %YES 46 %NO 39 %Other 15 Post %YES 92 %NO 8 %Other 0 Rate this statement: You feel comfortable speaking in front of others.

Pre % Not at all 8 % Sometimes 84 % All the Time 8 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 69 % All the Time 31 Rate this statement: I believe I can make my hopes and/or dreams come true.

Pre % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 62 % All the Time 38 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 46 % All the Time 54 Rate this statement: I respect my own decisions even when dealing with peer pressure.

Pre % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 38 % All the Time 54 No Answer 8 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 54 % All the Time 46 No Answer 0 Complete this statement: I am trustworthy and see myself as a __. Follower, Equal, Leader Pre % Follower 0 % Equal 31 % Leader 69 Post % Follower 0 % Equal 23 % Leader 77 Have you ever been bullied? % Yes 77 % No 23 Have you ever seen someone being bullied? % Yes 92 % No 8 Did you do anything? % Yes 29 % No 71 % No Answer 8 Did you learn something in the workshop that will help you deal with bullying?

Post % Yes 84 % No 16 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: I never had to deal with it. / I already know how to deal with bullying. / How to respect. / Stand up in a respectful way. / How to be caring to others. / Stand up for others. / I feel that no one should be bullied. / How to treat others with respect. / Treat everyone the way you want to be treated. / We did a skit about bullying.

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

Post % Yes 92 % No 8 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: I never faced peer pressure. / Help them. / Stand up for him/her. They may be shy. / I would tell the person to back off. / Yes, talk to the other person. / I would make them stop and help him walk away. / I would stand up for them and be a friend. / Stand up for themselves. / I have been bullied. I will try my best to stop it.

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

Post % Yes 100 % No 0 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: Cause I would’ve already done some. / Both. / To be responsible for my actions. / I learned respect. To respect my decisions. / Stick to what I want. / It is good to be an individual. / Be yourself, respect yourself, love yourself. / Never give up. / To not judge.

What do you think about color?

What % gave more thought and shared them about color.

Pre 62% Post 77% Thoughts Shared: Pre: Happiness. / What I think about color is that it make it shine. / I think about color all the time because colors are beautiful. / No I haven’t thought in depth about color but I think it gives life to things. / I have never thought about color. / ? / It’s something everyone has a favorite of. Yes, I have thought of color, a lot. / Color is beautiful cause color is happiness and yes. / I have never thought about color. / I have never thought about color. / No. / Color usually affects how you feel. / That it pretty and that no matter what color it is it stands out if you make it shine. / Not really but most people do. / That your color of your skin doesn’t define who you are. / No, I’ve never thought of color. / Right when I hear color I think black (skin) and how I’m judged because of my “color.”

Post: Think it look good. / I thing about the color now is that they should know that everyone has a color. / Color makes a big impact. / It gives light and life. / That it represents something you don’t know. / Color is happiness. / It can change in a second with mood. / It has meaning. / Beautiful. / Same as the other paper. / Color is like music. It can mean different things. / IDK. / I treat everyone with respect so I don’t have time to think about color. / It doesn’t matter about color.

My most important hope or dream is. . .

What % gave more thought to their Dreams becoming reality.

Pre 100% Post 100% Thoughts Shared: Pre: I want to be a WNBA player and a doctor. / My family finish school and go to challenges. / I want to become a doctor/lawyer/engineer. / To become a mentor or foster parent to troubled kids or people who need a life in life. / Is to become a math teacher. / Doctor. / My hope or dream is to become a lawyer or nurse. / I want to be a forensic scientist or a professional sports player. / My dream is to become a doctor or a paramedic. / A doctor or a dancer. / Psychologist. / Fashion designer. / To become a general surgeon or medical examiner. / Is to make my family proud and finish school, college, etc. / My dream/hope is to become a successful person in life. / To be a psychologist or personal trainer. / Being a dentist or doctor. / Finish high school.

Post: To graduate college and university. / Most that I would want to. / To succeed and have people look up to me young or old. / It gave with to life. / To be happy. / To be self-accepting. / To be able to bring my parents to the United States. / To become a teacher. / To become an equine vet. / Becoming a doctor. / To finish school. / To be a vet or YouTuber. / To be successful in life. / Being a dentist. / To go to college! And to learn a instrument.

One thing I learned in workshop that will help me reach my dream is: Post 92% discovered something new in the workshop.

Thoughts Shared: Yes. / Most dream that every has what they had. / Don’t judge a book by its cover. / To never give up. / Move back or on from bad things. / To have communication skills. / To respect. / Don’t give up. / To be responsible. / It to have an open mindset. / The bridge thingy. / Is to not be shy. / Be respect. / Be myself not what other people want me to be. / Confidence.

The Character Count 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: Yes. / What they are going to had about this. / Trying if you get bored of some make it interesting. / I don’t really know. / Respect by not being as rude. / Already did. / With everything. / How to talk to people more opening. Yes I talk to people about dreams and fears. / To be social. It helped because I had to talk to others. / Respect. / Talk in front of people. / Because if you know the words then you can make it through. / Kind, to speak my mind, outgoing. / Be respectful. / Shyness.

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

Post 92% discovered something new about classmates or friends in the workshop Thoughts Shared: Friendship. / It was good to have fun. / We have more in common. / To never give up on life. / Trust and creativity. / Already did. / A lot of things. / Everyone is afraid of something maybe the same as mine. / That they struggle too. / Learned to respect their ideas. / Yes that I’m not the only one that has struggles. / That everyone is similar to me. / I learned that everyone has struggles just like me. / We all have fears. / That they have been bullied.

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

.

Thanks to Character Education, 22 young lives from Girls Leadership Academy experienced their Possibilities. This workshop took place on April 6-9, 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 16-19.

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? : Trustworthiness, respectful. Respectful towards peers and teacher. Respectful to people talking.

Teaches to be a better person. / Not to judge. Self we used everybody would get along and not what we judge them on. You’ll actually meet them. You’ll make more friends and you won’t think you’re better. / Being comfortable expressing ourselves and aspects of our lives. Contributes to being a fearless leader. By allowing us to see others based on their trust colors and not how we perceive them to be. If you’re confident, it opens up opportunities for success. / Honesty, courage. Not be scared to be who you are. Everybody is not as different as you think. Stay true to who you are.

Creative Storytelling: To show examples of the word. In English to help with vocab words. All these traits teach us how to help others and ourselves. Teaches us to be a well-mannered young adult. / To show understanding of the word. Respect teachers and do homework. Will not be rude to others. / To demonstrate how words are shown in new world. Need all traits to be better students. To make you a better person.

Through the Hoops: Trust teamwork. Need teamwork for projects. Trust teachers when someone is getting bullied. Overcoming obstacles. / Working with unfamiliar pairs. You get to know each other better and you become more confident. You get to support them because you’ve gotten to know them better by having worked with them. Because you learn to improve the skill of partners by being able to work together. / How teamwork helps you strategize to get through obstacles. Answer problems. Support from others. Always presented by obstacles however with the help of others you can overcome them. / Trustworthiness and responsibility. Learn to work with others to get things done. Work together to prevent bullying and make awareness. Trust others because you can’t always do everything on your own.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: Respecting self-caring. More confident with self. Respect self enough to not get to it. Build more confidence. / Learn to feel good, not as negative. For example when we did the circle we realized that sometimes we put more pressure on ourselves that others. You don’t get stressed, it allows you to make better life decisions and not fall into peer pressure. You tend to feel better and it makes others. / Selfconfidence. If you feel confident about yourself then it won’t affect you. Trust in yourself and being confident.

When you’re more confident, you’re more genuine. / Appreciation, be positive. Less likely to fall in peer pressure.

Less likely to fall under it because you know your value. You have a high self-esteem more likely to take chances in life.

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 weird because I don’t feel like I truly love myself. / Doubtful, uncertain, unbelievable. / Feel good and confident. / Gorgeous, beautiful, perfect, strong person. / It makes me feel good because I love myself. / It made me feel better about myself. / Pretty, funny. / It made me feel weird at first because I never do that but then I started laughing and it made me feel good. / Increased my self confidence and made me feel like I am truly beautiful. / It made me feel weird because I never do that. / At first it was awkward because I’ve never told myself that but that I regained confidence and it made me feel good. / At first it was awkward because I’ve never told myself that but that I regained confidence and it made feel good. / Love my smile.

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 mother because she is hard working. Truthful, reliable, or persistent. / My grandmother. Because she is very inspiring.

Basically, the 6 pillars. / Gave up so much for me and my brothers/sister. My mother. Strong, independent, confident, nice, loyal, good cause. / My mom. She very special to me. She always been there for me. She’s a strong person who I look up as a hero by her accomplishing things in her life. She’s a single parent who has raised me on her own. They are important because they brought me to life. They gave me a chance to live. Care, responsibility, responsible, trustworthy. / So we can have someone to look up to and have goals as to who we want to be in the future. I want them to be honest, caring, hardworking, and cool person to be around with. They would have to be pretty awesome to be my hero. / My mother. My mother because she’s always there for me when I need her and makes sure I have everything I need. Nothing. / They are important because he is always there to support me. Kind, nice, respect, fairness. / My mom is caring and hard working. She never get angry. She wants the best for others. Cares about family. Has a big heart. She is important because she has always been there for me. Caring, kindness, respect. / My grandmother is important because she created my dad who created me.

She is loving, persistent, and endures many things. However she does not let hardships overcome her success and compassion for others. I look for endurance, respect, compassion, persistence, strength (mentally, physically, spiritually), and wisdom. / My sister Sophia Ortiz is my hero. She’s my sister and I’ve looked up to her since I was little. She’s shielded my younger brother and myself when we were little but had no one to do the same for her so she’s my hero. Respectful, honorable, helpful, kind. / My mommy is my hero. If it wasn’t for her I would be alive and if it wasn’t for her hard work, I would be here. Someone who is respect who I can trust because everything they say is correct. Someone who will be there for you to look up to whenever you feel down. / Jesus. God gave his life for us to give salvation. Sacrificed his life for us. Always have faith.

Seeing Beyond: To demonstrate how we should act in life. Allow us to be better students within any class.

Teaches you how to be a trustworthy and positive worker.

Drawing one’s Fear’s, Hopes and Dreams and Sharing: We learned that our fear will help us get to our dream.

Not give up. Confidence. To get somewhere, achieve dreams, and to overcome obstacles. / To visualize your dream and realize that nothing can stop you from reaching it. In any problem it’s important to step back and realize that you’re capable of realizing it. If you or someone is getting bullied, it’s important to do something about it.

Reflecting on your past and visualizing your future keeps you motivated to achieve success. / Relax, breathe, try again. Test, oral presentation. To know that you are not alone to achieve your dream.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: To look at the positive. Will not get frustrated when you don’t understand. To learn to accept when things go wrong. / Take the negative and make it positive. Don’t look at things with a negative perspective and always have an open mind. By thinking positive you become positive and continue thinking that way naturally. / To be optimistic. To believe in yourself and know to try your best and you will make it.

When faced with a difficult change, you can start to look at the bright side.

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.

The time I went to Kenya I was afraid of getting sick but I ended up falling in love with it. / When my parents were arguing a lot and decided to separate, I was scared because I didn’t know what would change, but later on I actually realized that my parents were actually civil around each other when they didn’t have to see each other every day. In a way my family became stronger because we were all happy, my parents were happy not to argue and my siblings and I were happy not to hear and see them argue. / I am the oldest of all my siblings. / The time when I first returned to Texas and I was crossing the border.

I was really frightened because it was my first time crossing the border. I’m legal but I was still afraid. Everything turned out excellent but I don’t know why I was so nervous. I got to see/feel how immigrants do it, and it’s so scary. They are really brave. / My mom had a dangerous surgery and I saw it positive because I had time to share things with her as she recovered.

®

Release the Fear, Inc. ® PO Box 3815 Phoenix, AZ 85030 www.releasethefear.org 602-818 695

Funded By: Character Education Location: Girls Leadership Academy %Male 0

%Female 100

Dates: April 6-9, 2015

Ages 16-19

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

Pre %YES 82 %NO 18 %Other 0 Post %YES 77 %NO 23 %Other 0 Rate this statement: You feel comfortable speaking in front of others.

Pre % Not at all 14 % Sometimes 72 % All the Time 14 Post % Not at all 4 % Sometimes 73 % All the Time 23 Rate this statement: I believe I can make my hopes and/or dreams come true.

Pre % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 91 % All the Time 9 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 41 % All the Time 59 Rate this statement: I respect my own decisions even when dealing with peer pressure.

Pre % Not at all 4 % Sometimes 50 % All the Time 42 % No Answer 4 Post % Not at all 4 % Sometimes 42 % All the Time 50 % No Answer 4 Complete this statement: I am trustworthy and see myself as a __. Follower, Equal, Leader Pre % Follower 0 % Equal 55 % Leader 41 % No Answer 4 Post % Follower 0 % Equal 59 % Leader 41 % No Answer 0 Have you ever been bullied? % Yes 64 % No 36 Have you ever seen someone being bullied? % Yes 82 % No 14 % No Answer 4 Did you do anything? % Yes 32 % No 64

% No Answer 4

Did you learn something in the workshop that will help you deal with bullying?

Post % Yes 91 % No 9 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: Because we all have problems. / I’ll have more confidence to help others. / To stand up for others. / Stop it. / Tell someone about it. / Do something about it. / Use confidence. / Stand up for others. / Si somos amistosos y tenemos valores nadie sufriria bullying. / Not let anyone get bullied. / That everyone is different in their own way. / Trust others and care for them as well. / Do not stay quiet and look for help. / If you believe in what is right, continue fighting for it. / To speak up. / Yes, it takes teamwork, respect, and confidence to deal with bullying.

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

Post % Yes 96 % No 4 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: I will help because I been through it. / Because I’m not a person who likes conflict, but I’ll tell someone about. / Because that’s part of being a citizen, and having trust in someone. / Yes, not fair. / Tell someone like an adult. / I will stick up for the person being bullied. / Tell them to stop and help them. / Es bueno ayundar a otras personas. / Sometimes it depends. / Stand up. / Of course, everyone has a voice even if it’s not their own. / Help him/her! / I would stick up for them. / Bring an adult in the situation. / I wouldn’t want anyone to do nothing if I was being bullied, so I need to step in and make sure that I prevent bullying as well.

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

Post % Yes 91 % No 9 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: Yes you can make my own. / I need to respect my decisions for my benefit. / Yes, because we had to be able to be dependable. / Go for what you want to. / I should trust myself. / Self-confidence. / Porque teniendo esos valoes podre tener Buenos decisiones. / I know to respect myself enough to be responsible when making decisions. / Respect my opinions as well with others. / I learned I should stay true to myself. / Be confident in yourself and the decisions/ideas that you have.

What do you think about color?

What % gave more thought and shared them about color.

Pre 64% Post 100% Thoughts Shared: Pre: I accept that everyone is different and unique in their own way. / Without color life would be bland, a variety of different colors (pigmentation of the skind or the color of the sky) allows new and interesting concepts to enter the world. / I like it. It’s beautiful and nice. / I think color expresses things and emphasizes. / It expresses, makes things beautiful. / Different color, different emotions. / No, IDK. / They are really pretty! Gives light. / They are nice, represent mood. / No, just thought of it as a color. / I have never thought about color. What type of color? / Color is important because it represents diversity. / I really don’t pay attention to color. / I don’t really think about that. / I don’t think about it. / I think colors are very important. Without them the world just wouldn’t work. / Color of? I don’t ever take color into consideration when viewing others. / Race color? No…sometimes. / No. / Color does not matter to me. You could be green and you are still equal. / I’ve never thought about color. / All color is have quality and are pretty in their own ways.

Post: It doesn’t matter. / That color doesn’t matter, they’re all equal. / That some colors can represent feelings, fears, and others. / It symbolizes something for you. / It means or represents something. / It’s nice and beautiful. / I still think it’s important. / They’re all the same. / I wasn’t here for that. / It represents diversity. / Color can be associated with memories and dreams. / Color represents moods. / Creo que los colores tambien depende para que nos guste algo, exepto en personas. / It has a meaning just like us. / I love colors! / That everything has own color and we can see it in everything. / It can help you express yourself. / Colors allow the world to be filled with uniqueness. / Color is everywhere. / Yes, emotions can be seen in different colors. / To associate color with more things. / Color is everywhere, in music, personalities, etc.

My most important hope or dream is. . .

What % gave more thought to their Dreams becoming reality.

Pre 91% Post 100% Thoughts Shared: Pre: I hope that I succeed in life and in whatever career I choose to be in. / Is to become a doctor and help those who need it around the world. / I really want to help disabled children. / To become a profession/famous cosmetologist and open my own school. Also become a photographer. / Graduate from a university and support my parents. / Travel the world. / Don’t have one. / Dream, is to be rich and help children in need. / Become and veterinarian. / Is to become a nurse. / I want to graduate high school. / I want to be able to help animals. / My most important dream and hope is to meet my goals in life. / My most important dream or hope is to become a forensics. / My most important hope is to have a good future. / I really want to move to New York and live with a roommate or by myself and work as a makeup artist or in fashion. / I dream of being successful and owning my own practice. Also changing the lives of others for the better. / I want to be rich with U.S. dollars. / Being happy. / My important dream is being who I really want to be. / Is to be a pediatrician and help the poor in Guatemala. / My dream is to become someone important in life.

Post: Be who I am. / Is to get into a college and travel. / My hope is to become a teacher. / Traveling the world. / Becoming a forensic scientist. / To be something in life. / To live in NY and major in fashion. / To become someone in life. / To be successful and become a veterinarian. / Helping animals. / Is to have a good and successful life. / To become a veterinarian. / Es ser psicologa, e independiente. / To become a nurse. / Be happy! / To just do whatever makes me happy. / To make my mom proud and help out as many people I can. / To be someone my family and I are proud of, by being a helpful person as a doctor! / Be an anthropologist (medica antropologia). / Go to college and become a pediatrician. / Whatever career I choose, I want to be happy and successful. / Is to be successful in whatever I do and make sure I never stray from love, compassion, respect, and intelligence.

One thing I learned in workshop that will help me reach my dream is: Post 96% discovered something new in the workshop.

Thoughts Shared: Don’t give up. / To be more confident in myself. / I learned to believe in myself. / Not to give up. / Being a leader. / Nothing well IDK. / Be confident in myself. / Respect. / Others will step up and help you. / Confidence. / Is that confidence can help me achieve my dream. / Trust in myself, everyone has the same fears. / Tratar de ser buena persona y saber el real valor de mi persona. / To perseverance. / Never let anyone interfere with my decisions. / To stick to my beliefs. / To look at the positive things and use my fears to achieve my dream. / Don’t let the negative things stop me. / Don’t stop believing. / Always look at things with a positive perspective. / To not let fears get in the way of your dreams. / Use your fears and negativity from your past to fuel the events of your future.

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 in the workshop to improve their Character Count.

Thoughts Shared: Caring, made me a better person. / On all of them because I haven’t really been the best person, it helped me improve a lot. / I wanted to improve on Fairness. I did not think I completely got there but I will. It helped me by making me spread out the leadership. / Comfort. / Comfort. / I wanted to improve caring and I guess I got help by noticing people feel the same as me. / Respect. / Trustworthy because I have a hard time trusting people. / Responsibility. Not really. / Trusting in myself. / Citizenship. I learned to contribute and work together. / Responsibilidad, porque siendo responsalde podre llegar muy lejos. / To be brave. I wasn’t as brave as I should have. / Public speaking. / I wanted to work on respect and it did help because I now respect other’s beliefs. / I wanted to work on responsibility and it helped me respect my peers. / Respect for others and I did learn more about respecting others. / Respect? By listening to others, talking to them in a good way. / Citizenship. I learned what it means and what it looks like. / Responsibility, caring, fairness by doing different activities. / I wanted to work on being trustworthy and compassionate. This workshop has allowed me to be a trusting individual who has the ability to care for others.

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

Post 91% discovered something new about classmates or friends in the workshop Thoughts Shared: They have problem like me. / That we have a lot in common and that I’m not alone in my fears. / I learned Josie and Sabrina are sometimes class clowns and mean to cover up how they feel about themselves. / Similarities. / Some similarities. / IDK. / We can rely on them. / Their fears. / They have the same fears I do. / The type of people they look up to. / We all doubt ourselves. / Las diferentes cosas que le gustan a cada muchacha. / We all our equal and different. / They have also dreams. / That everyone is different are all scared of something. / That we all have things in common. / Some people didn’t know me as well as they thought they did so I learned a little of what they thought about me… / Help them and respect them. / We all have the same fears. / That we are similar. / I learned that we are all similar in one way or another. Treat each other equally and respectfully.

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

.

.

Thank you Florence Crittenton Girls Leadership Academy 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