June 2015 final report morris 6 30 2015

Margaret T. Morris 2015 REPORT

Thank you Margaret T. Morris Foundation 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 Margaret T. Morris Foundation.

This is the Final Report of 4 different workshops at varies schools making a difference in 65 young lives and what they experienced through the "Bridging Possibilities" Character Education program.

Plus "Bridging Possibilities" portion of Discover U Summer camp Creighton School for 16 youth. District 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 more meaningful productive life and become tomorrow's leaders in Arizona, for a brighter tomorrow for all.

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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

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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.

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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 For Helping Us Realize Our Hopes, Fears, and Most of All, Our Dreams...

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.

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Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections Recidivism Rates (%)

2015

RELEASE THE FEAR 2015 RTF Pre/Post Survey Results

Margaret T. Morris OVERALL PERCENTAGES 65 Students (4 PB Workshops) Male 60% Female 40% – Youth Ages 10-15 89.3% discovered something new about themselves 94.8% discovered something new about classmates and friends.

Pre 60% compared to Post 82.3% realized that they are not alone in their fears.

Pre 70.3% compared to Post 100% realized that they can make their dreams a reality.

85% learned something to help them deal with bullying.

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

Individual Workshop Percentages 1. May 12-14 2015 Copper King Pause Group 9 Students (1 IO-BP Workshops) Male 100% Female 0% – Youth Ages 10-14 67% discovered something new about themselves 89% discovered something new about classmates and friends.

Pre 67% compared to Post 78% realized that they are not alone in their fears.

Pre 67% compared to Post 100% realized that they can make their dreams a reality.

67% learned something to help them deal with bullying.

89% stated that they would do something if they saw someone being bullied.

2. May 19-21 2015 Estrella Vista Elementary 20 Students (1 IO-BP Workshops) Male 45% Female 55% – Youth Ages 13-15 90% discovered something new about themselves 90% discovered something new about classmates and friends.

Pre 45% compared to Post 85% realized that they are not alone in their fears.

Pre 70% compared to Post 100% realized that they can make their dreams a reality.

95% learned something to help them deal with bullying.

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

3. May 19-21 2015 Magnet Traditional School 18 Students (1 IO-BP Workshops) Male 72% Female 28% – Youth Ages 12-14 100% discovered something new about themselves 100% discovered something new about classmates and friends.

Pre 67% compared to Post 78% realized that they are not alone in their fears.

Pre 94% compared to Post 100% realized that they can make their dreams a reality.

89% learned something to help them deal with bullying.

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

4. June 21-24 2015 Children’s First Academy 18 Students (1 IO-BP Workshops) Male 44% Female 56% – Youth Ages 12-14 100% discovered something new about themselves 100% discovered something new about classmates and friends.

Pre 61% compared to Post 88% realized that they are not alone in their fears.

Pre 50% compared to Post 100% realized that they can make their dreams a reality.

89% learned something to help them deal with bullying.

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

5. June 1, 2, 3 and 4th, 2015 Larry Kennedy with assistance with funding "Bridging Possibilities" portion of Discover U Summer Camp for 16 youth. Pre and post evaluations in process.

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.

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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 2015 Program Budget: RTF Character Education Bridging Possibilities: For 4 workshops Proposed Budget Per Workshop 4 workshops Instructional Programming: Program Supervisor/Trainer Co-Facilitator / Trainee Reporting and Evaluations: Pre/Post Inventories Final Report Supplies and Other Workshop Exp Insurance, Art & Printed Supplies, Snacks Recognition for Students, Postage, Mktng Internal Coordination, Support & Workshop Preparation Travel Expenses – Average TOTAL FOR 1 WORKSHOP TOTAL FOR 4 WORKSHOPS

$680.00 $300.00

$2,720.00 $1,200.00

$150.00 $ 70.00

$600.00 $280.00

$ 90.00 $ 60.00

$360.00 $240.00

$300.00 $ 50.00

$1,200.00 $200.00

$1,700.00 $6,800.00

Cost Breakdown per workshop with average of 18 youth each: Average cost per daily session: $567.00 Average cost per youth per session $31.50 Per Capita cost per youth workshop :$94.44

Margaret T Morris foundation gift us $7500.00 Balance: $700.00 Remaining Balance of $700.00 towards partial support for "Bridging Possibilities" (BP) portion of Discover U Summer Camp Creighton School District.

Camp coordinator : $230.00 Lead facilitator: $200.00 Co-facilitator: $140.00 Internal coordinator : $ 60.00 BP, Pre-Post evaluation $150.00 $780.00

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.

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

Shift

Thanks to Margaret T. Morris, 9 young lives from Copper King Pause Group experienced their Possibilities.

This workshop took place on May 12-14, 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 10-14.

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? : Student sharing responsible. Learn more. It teaches you know about people.

Strategize. / Being nice. Being their friend. People are going to be.

Creative Storytelling: Respect. Helping others in groups. Science. It is just game.

Through the Hoops: Exercise strategy. Helping each other. Stand up for them. More respect. / Through the hoops. You could find different ways to do stuff. Work together as a team. Helping other get through.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: To love yourself. How to protect yourself. To always beware of yourself. Respect yourself.

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

Awesome. / Stupid. / Good. / Mad, boring, me not wanting to do it. / I felt okay. / Make me feel comfortable. / Stupid and weird. / Made me feel 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?

Dany. He takes care of me. / Brother. They are there for me. I don’t know? / Helps me with problems. Strong and trustworthy. / Rondo Humbanine OBlock Savage. RIP La Capone. / Stephen Curry. He is good.

Because I like basketball and he is the MVP. / Me because I’m like doing what I do. Because I keep myself from getting in trouble. / My dad. Cause he helps me. Nice, fun. Cause he’s fun, nice. / My brother because he always stands up for me. Being strong. / My grandpa. Because he inspires me what I want to do in the future. / My self.

Seeing Beyond: Imagination. I can see things in the future. / Working with others. Picturing it in our head, feeling, guessing, thinking. Picturing cars.

Drawing one’s Fear’s, Hopes and Dreams and Sharing: Overcome fears. It gives you confident.

To not be afraid. Help us believe in our dreams. / To let go of your fear. Tell more people about it.

Not being afraid of bully. Getting over your fear.

®

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

Funded By: Margaret T. Morris Location: Copper King Pause Group %Male 100

%Female 0

Dates: May 12-14, 2015

Ages 10-14

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

Pre %YES 67 %NO 43 %Other 0 Post %YES 78 %NO 22 %Other 0 Rate this statement: You feel comfortable speaking in front of others.

Pre % Not at all 22 % Sometimes 67 % All the Time 0 % No Answer 11 Post % Not at all 22 % Sometimes 78 % All the Time 0 % No Answer 0 Rate this statement: I believe I can make my hopes and/or dreams come true.

Pre % Not at all 22 % Sometimes 44 % All the Time 33 Post % Not at all 11 % Sometimes 33 % All the Time 56 Rate this statement: I respect my own decisions even when dealing with peer pressure.

Pre % Not at all 11 % Sometimes 78 % All the Time 11 Post % Not at all 11 % Sometimes 78 % All the Time 11 Complete this statement: I am trustworthy and see myself as a __. Follower, Equal, Leader Pre % Follower 0 % Equal 33 % Leader 56 % No Answer 11 Post % Follower 0 % Equal 44 % Leader 56 % No Answer 0 Have you ever been bullied? % Yes 22 % No 78 Have you ever seen someone being bullied? % Yes 89 % No 11 Did you do anything? % Yes 56 % No 44 % No Answer 0 Did you learn something in the workshop that will help you deal with bullying?

Post % Yes 67 % No 33 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: I was not here to listen to what he said to bully. / Walk away from them. / Respect. / I don’t think it will. / Because a lot of stuff I did, I did not know about. / They didn’t talk about it. / To step away and don’t be afraid. / Working with others.

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

Post % Yes 67 % No 33 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: I would go tell. / Because I don’t like messing up. / Because if I were getting I would want someone to do the same. / Yes because we work as a team. / Because it is always good to help. / Then they bully me. / Because I don’t like people picking on some that doing nothing. / Tell the teacher.

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

Post % Yes 78 % No 22 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: To respect yourself and others. / I learned how to be responsible. / Because you could settle yourself down. / I don’t know. / I know how to control my responsibility. / Be patient

What do you think about color?

What % gave more thought and shared them about color.

Pre 11% Post 89% Thoughts Shared: Pre: No. / No I never think about colors. / I’ve never thought about color. / No. / No. / I’ve never thought about it. / No. / Yes and the color I like is pink and black. / No I have it. / I love all of the different colors of the rainbow. It makes the world a more beautiful place. / I don’t know. / I never thought about it.

Post: I know how to mix and know what color it makes when you mix it. / That you can draw a person without looking. / Cool. / I didn’t get the color part. / Come color has sound. / They could do stuff. / Nothing just how to make new color. / There are colors in music and it changes. / The sound a color can make.

My most important hope or dream is. . .

What % gave more thought to their Dreams becoming reality.

Pre 67% Post 100% Thoughts Shared: Pre: I want to graduate high school. / My dream is to be a 82 nd Airborne. / My most important dream is to work with cars. / Is to get out of Davis. / So. / I don’t have one. / My best dream is to go to the NBA with all of my brothers. / Is to make 50 billion dollars and get married. / Only five times I did. / To retire healthy and financially secure! / I hope when I go back to my home school, I can be a better kid. / My dream is to be a pro Cowtown skateboarder.

Post: To get into a Cowtown company and become a pro skateboarder. / My most important dream is go the NBA. / Military. / To make expensive jewelry. / Is to be a cop. / Is to be in the NBA. / Military is my dream. / To follow my grandpa footstep to be a 82 nd Airborne. / Is getting back in to my home school.

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

Thoughts Shared: I learned to express my feelings. / By staying in school and have good grades. / Believe. / To be responsible. / To work with others. / Is to always believe in yourself. / Self control. / To believe in my dream. / Working together.

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

Post 67% discovered something in the workshop to improve their Character Count.

Thoughts Shared: Being nice and good. / I learned to believe in my dreams. / I don’t think they helped. / Don’t know. / To believe in yourself. / Help me to control myself. / It help me a lot!!! / Help me a lot.

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

Post 89% discovered something new about classmates or friends in the workshop Thoughts Shared: Nothing. / That they’re being more respectful. / Johan is creative. / To respect them and work as a team. / That people have different dreams. / They love family. / To work as a team and care for others. / Be nicer to people.

Thanks to Margaret T. Morris, 20 young lives from Estrella Vista Elementary experienced their Possibilities.

This workshop took place on May 19-21, 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 13-15.

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? : To use communication. Relating to each other. Communicating to each other. Socialize with others. / We are skills. We could be leaders. We should get to know each other. So we can learn to accept people’s differences. / Respecting other people issues. Less judgmental. You’re not.

Give respect and earn respect. / Not to judge, to be respectful, to be more caring, what others like. It’ll help you on being more respectful to teachers. If you’re being all judgy about a job, then the interviewers are never going to like you.

Creative Storytelling: Relating realistic situation. Something we all need in a everyday life. It’s a solution to show how we need to act. It teaches us right from wrong. / How the characters are used.

They can teach us how to treat students. Teach us that it’s not okay. It will build character to be taught how to use it. / It’s easier to learn visually. Because most of the time teachers show you visually. You can stop it with all of our expectations. It would take us a long way to a good life. / How to be fair. No one will complain if everyone is fair. Kids won’t be left out. More opportunities will open up.

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

Through the Hoops: We feed off each other’s body language. We use each other by socializing.

Help with people in times of need. Going through obstacles. / We learned to work together as a group. We would be able to help new people as a group. This could help by working as a group to stop bullying. This could help with making the world about peace and positivity. / We learned how to work with teammates and accurately. We can help others using teamwork with this skill. We can overcome bullying it’s more than one person. Teamwork can help you go extremely well and live a good life. / Teamwork. Get more assignments done. Won’t be alone, or by yourself when bullied.

Use teamwork in your jobs.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: Be confident. Being unique. You’re yourself and you have your own choices. I can love and be myself. / We learned about each other. They could help us work together. Ask for help with friends or family. To seem understanding. / If you start the day with a positive attitude you’ll have a great day. Being positive makes you feel better throughout the day.

Think about the right choice no matter what. Being positive can give you a positive life. / Like how I am, be positive about myself. Won’t have to worry about others opinions. I would follow my own decisions. Not being so negative.

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

Hope, justice, peace. These words mean what my nation should be all about. / Ok, good, inspired for something. / Umm it makes me feel awkward. / Nothing. / Awkward. / It makes me feel like I can love myself and that don’t never stop. / Uncomfortable. / It makes me feel like I’m ugly. / Selfconfident, good. / Weird, relieving. / Awkward. / It makes me feel confident that I can do anything without caring about what anyone else thinks. / Looking at myself in the mirror makes me feel confident, good looking, and motivating.

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?

Because he’s one of the best shooters there is. Excitement, excellence, scoring, etc. / My hero is Will Smith because he’s very funny and serious. / My mommy because she’s a good role model. Trustworthiness. / Dad. Cuz he important. IDK. / Mom. She’s my mother. She is a single mother. / I think this person is important because due to her condition, she still does everything a normal person can do. Carness, faith, happiness, don’t doubt theirself, hopeful, peaceful. / Rylee. They help me get through tough times. / My hero is myself. I like my actions and most of the time I’m a good role model. I think I’m important because I look up to myself.

Trustworthy, caring, hard-working, and intelligent. / Dad. Because he’s a role model. / I don’t have a hero. No one. Important to me, cares about me. / Don’t have one. Mom. I’m not sure. Mom. Someone who is going to be there for you no matter what. / They inspire me to be brave and to never give up. What I look in a hero is being brave, strong, individual and strong at heart. / My heroes are my parents for making me take the correct footsteps even if sometimes I make mistakes.

Seeing Beyond: To be more extraordinary. Math and ELA because you need to succeed at those mainly to give back at your community. / We learned that we should think about and imagine what our life’s gonna be like. In science because you’re using your imagination. To see ourselves in the future. / Don’t judge before you see. Reading don’t judge by a book’s cover. Stereotyping. / Making inferences. It will help you in ELA because you can describe things better. It makes you smarter and it will help you get a job.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: More confident. By helping us be more respectful. By socializing and confident and caring more in life. / We learned that to feel good about what you did.

We should do good things to feel good about ourself. / To be caring. Not bullying. The way you treat people. / We learned to be trustworthy, learning. The teacher will trust you. People will trust you and think of you as caring.

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

The time when I was trustworthy was when I babysitted. / One time I helped a man in a wheelchair take his groceries to his car. It felt like you were an angel. / When my friends tell me a secret, I feel “trustworthy”. Felt okay. / I have been trustworthy and caring to my best friend Jasmine because I helped her through all her struggles. I felt like a brave person that everybody can count on. / One way of me showing I care was a time that I was getting out from a store. I saw a homeless man sitting by the wall and thought that must suck. I decided to go back into the store, bought the man a drink and a few change I had left. It made me feel grateful for what I have and made me think what if that was me. / I’ve been trustworthy towards my closest best friend Keanthony by keeping all of his secrets and supporting his choices. Afterwards I felt good because I know I have someone’s trust. / My friend had a mini voodoo doll and he trusted me to hold it for recess and he came and got it afterwards, told me thanks and we walked back to line. It felt good to know that I’m that friend he could count on to hold his favorite possession. / I felt caring one time when this lady at Burger King left her phone on the counter and I returned it to her. I felt proud of myself and it felt really good. / I keep all of my friends secrets. / I saw a kid break his leg and I took him to the nurse. I felt good. / I help an old woman stopped from getting disrespected from teenagers. How I felt afterward was very strong and proud of myself. / I helped my mom get groceries from her car. I felt good. / The time I was caring was when my sister was in the hospital because of the machine she had in her body was acting up. / I helped an old lady with her door. Made me feel happy to help. / I gave Dorine a piece of paper even though I didn’t want to. I felt annoyed afterward. / One time when I felt trustworthy was when my friend shared a story about her life. By the end, I realized we had much more in common than I expected. / A time I felt trustworthy was when I got to watch my newborn sister, then my mom said she can trust me any other time. / I helped an old woman stopped from getting disrespected from a group of teenagers. How I felt afterwards was very proud of myself.

®

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

Funded By: Margaret T. Morris Location: Estrella Vista Elementary %Male 45

%Female 55

Dates: May 18-21, 2015

Ages 13-15

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

Pre %YES 45 %NO 29 %Other 15 Post %YES 85 %NO 5 %Other 10 Rate this statement: You feel comfortable speaking in front of others.

Pre % Not at all 20 % Sometimes 75 % All the Time 5 Post % Not at all 10 % Sometimes 75 % All the Time 15 Rate this statement: I believe I can make my hopes and/or dreams come true.

Pre % Not at all 5 % Sometimes 50 % All the Time 45 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 55 % All the Time 45 Rate this statement: I respect my own decisions even when dealing with peer pressure.

Pre % Not at all 5 % Sometimes 55 % All the Time 40 Post % Not at all 5 % Sometimes 45 % All the Time 50 Complete this statement: I am trustworthy and see myself as a __. Follower, Equal, Leader Pre % Follower 0 % Equal 50 % Leader 50 Post % Follower 0 % Equal 30 % Leader 70 Have you ever been bullied? % Yes 40 % No 55 % No Answer 5 Have you ever seen someone being bullied? % Yes 50 % No 45 % No Answer 5 Did you do anything? % Yes 25 % No 50 % No Answer 25 Did you learn something in the workshop that will help you deal with bullying?

Post % Yes 95 % No 5 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: Standing up no matter the outcome. / I will stand up for them. / Stand up for yourself. / Because I learned not to be a bystander. / It helped to be better stand up. / To be caring and help others. / I can stand up for people. / Teamwork. / To help that person in need. / Be yourself, be unique. / To be strong and a leader. / To always help that person.

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: I would stand up to them without fear. / I will communicate. / Because I’m not a bystander. / I would want to feel good. / Stop them. / Stand up. / Help them evacuate. / Bullying isn’t right. / They don’t deserve it. / I think it would make me feel good. / Bullying is not right.

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

Post % Yes 90 % No 10 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: I do what my mind and heart tell me to do. / Yes because I know how to make my own decisions. / Because I’m not one to get peer pressure. / Because I can respect myself. / To make my own decisions. / I’m responsible for my choices. / Yes, my decisions are mine to make. / To fight back.

What do you think about color?

What % gave more thought and shared them about color.

Pre 65% Post 85% Thoughts Shared: Pre: No, I do not think about color, to be I’m cool with everybody. / Not really. I like black because it’s so neat and colorful to me. / I think of different colors. / I think everybody is equal as everyone else. / I think everybody is equal even though we’re not the same color. / Nothing. / I think color puts interest into objects. / I think color means what your dream or passion is. / I think color is the way we see the world. / I think it means the personality of someone expressed through color. / I like black. / I think it’s the way how you see the world. / I never thought about it. / Race doesn’t matter. / Not really. / Not really. / Not really. / I think color can explain someone. / I thought about my color and I believe red is a beautiful. / It’s awesome.

Post: It is helpful. / Color can represent many things and can be cool. / The color is a lot better. / Color is everywhere. / Color is what you feel and things. / Think my colors as happiness. / Color is used to express feelings or music. / You can hear color. / I think color can be with different thing. / I hate it color. / I love it! / That it has sound. / You can tell how someone is feeling. / You can hear color, it’s more than just a color. / No. / I think color is how we deal with world. / I think it has emotion. / Nothing really but understand more. / Color can describe you or how I see things.

My most important hope or dream is. . .

What % gave more thought to their Dreams becoming reality.

Pre 70% Post 100% Thoughts Shared: Pre: I think my most important dream is to attend college and graduate. / Is to be loved. / I don’t have dreams. / I hope that I can do better in life. / I don’t have one. / No. / To go to college. / To grow up putting full effort into what I love. / My dream is to play in the MLB. / My most important dream is dancing. / My important dream is to become a best-selling author. / My most important dream is to go to the NBA. / To become something. / I dream to become a professional soccer player. / I don’t know. / Don’t have one. / I do not have one. / Detectives for 10 years, rapper 3 years. / The most important dream was graduating high school. / To become somebody or as a singer. / Basketball. / NFL. Post: My most important hope or dream is to be with my family and start a future. / My hope and dream is to become a cop. / Play professional soccer. / My dream is to be a dancer. / Is to become a detective and a rapper. / My important dream is to become a singer. / To be happy. / To be an NBA player, Memphis Grizzlies. / To achieve it. / To reach my goals. / To be happy with my family in the future. / To graduate both high school and college. / To become a chef, with money and happiness. / To be successful. / To become a rich, best-selling author. / To be a leader and prosper. / Have a family. / To be successful in life. / My most important hope or dream is to go to the NBA.

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

Thoughts Shared: Using my mind’s eye. / That I shouldn’t be afraid to speak out and can do anything I put myself out to. / I learned in the workshop is helping people. / Believe no matter how hard. / Is to be responsible and stand up for myself. / Is that I have to work really hard. / To communicate with people. / To not give up and imagine your future. / I will ignore the negative and add more positive. / To always try. / Is to believe in me. / Careness. / To stand up for it. / Teamwork is important. / To not give up and to keep doing what you think is right. / To be individual and to be ourselves. / Don’t stop at anything. / Leadership to help others. / Is to always be brave and to keep trying. / How to be a leader and be equal which will make me a better teammate.

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 90% discovered something in the workshop to improve their Character Count.

Thoughts Shared: My respect. / I wanted to improve my respectfulness. I improved by understanding how people think. / I want to work on the caring. / I wanted to work on responsibility because I always procrastinate. / It improved in my confidence. / Yes I came in wanting to learn something and I did. / I want to improve on respect. The workshop helped me improve. / Talking in front of people and to be a bystander. / Yes. Shyness. / To see the true colors in things. / Responsibility, taking responsibility for what I did. / Teamwork, we did lots of teamwork activities. / Trustworthiness. / I want to learn about respect. / To open up my eyes. / Improved to help others reach goals. / Trustworthiness and it helped by the activities we did. / It helped me learn how to be a good person and be respectful mostly along with the rest.

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

Post 90% discovered something new about classmates or friends in the workshop Thoughts Shared: I learned how to use my mind’s eye. / I learned what they’re not comfortable with and what they feel on things to do. / I really don’t know. / A lot of people go what you go through. / That a lot of them are like me. / About the colors. / That people can be the same. / I learned Tye’s name. / We all are different. / You always try? I don’t know. / That everyone is different. / Most people have the same fears. / A lot of people have problems at home. / What kind of music they like. / I learned people could have the same fear as you. / That they are all human and loving just like me. / That they are different than I expected. / Nothing really. / Is that everyone is different. / That all of us are the same in some way.

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

Thanks to Margaret T. Morris, 18 young lives from Magnet Traditional School experienced their Possibilities.

This workshop took place on May 19-21, 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 11-13.

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? : Everyone is the same. No one should get bullied. Even if they are younger, they shouldn’t get bullied. No one will be bullied. / Express feelings. By not taking out our feeling with bullying. They know you already so they don’t stereotype. Being able to express yourself better. / Our fears, achievements, goals. Less bullying, more confidence. You won’t be judged. Less shy, more noticed, more talented. / Don’t judge a book by its cover. Helping others. By getting know someone.

It will help us more in life.

Creative Storytelling: We learned about that character counts. Applying these skills when needed.

Using these skills correctly could prevent bullying. By using these skills we become a better person in life or anywhere else. / Bonding with team. Learn to work with your peers. Learn how to work with the bully. To bond with others or skills for later on. / We learned that actions are better than words. When it happens we know what to do. We know what the actions look like now. Treating people better and less fear. / Learn what to do in a problem. You know how to react to real work situations. Being confident and standing up to bullies. It will give us a good image.

Through the Hoops: If we work together we can do anything. When we work together everything is easy. By working together we can stand up against. Build more relationships together when working together. / Never give up. Push yourself to work harder through tough times. Team up with peers to stop bullying. By working through hard times. / Teamwork makes you more successful and more trustworthy. Get more help from others, makes us more educational. Help stop bystanding, help prevent more violence. Make you more trustworthy, have more citizenship. / How to trust. So you can trust people. Someone can help or stick up for you. Trusting somebody or someone trusting you.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: There’s always someone looking up to you. Work harder and feel more moderative. Makes you want to be more of a leader. You will feel more confident because someone is looking up at you. / We’re role models. Lead your peers and be a leader. It helps to make the right decision. Learn to be a leader. / Having someone looking up to you, have you as a role model. Make younger grades look up to the older grades, make good choices for them to follow. Make you more confident, make better choices. Give you more characteristics, have more faith in you. / Someone is always looking up to us. It makes you feel confident. It helps the person looking up to help you. It makes you feel safe.

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 happy because no matter who tells me that I’m ugly, all that cares is that I love myself. / It makes me feel good and happy on the inside. / I like myself how I am. I like my eyes because it’s a blend of Asian and European. Also, I have dimples and many people like my smile. It makes me feel happy. / When I look at myself, I see someone who wants to learn about new things. / It made me feel like I can’t be bended the way other people want. / It made me feel good and it makes me feel loved. / I feel wanted. / Innocent, honest and loving. I felt like me. / It makes me feel good that people tell me that I’m handsome and I said no. / Happy but weird. / Nice, cool. / It makes me feel confident. / It feels like I’m talking to someone else, not me. / When I look at myself, it makes me feel happy and that I love myself and that I don’t care what people say.

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 dad is my hero. My dad is my hero because he helps my every need. He loves me and cherishes me. I love him no matter what he or I say or do. Trustworthiness, lovable, courageous, happy. / D. Rose. D. Rose is important because he motivates me to become a NBA player. I look for leadership, confidence, respect, and kindness. / Heroes are important because they set examples for you. They also help you create characteristics for yourself. Set an example, tries hard to show you they love you. / My hero is no one. / My dad. He is important because he helps me through tough times. I look for someone who has a positive attitude, a confident personality, and someone who cares about me. / Mrs. Yamanaka. She was born in Japan. She was my first grade teacher and cheerleader and baton coach. Caring, respect, citizenship. / Because they’re always there.

Loving, caring. / Jesus. Yes, very important! Leader, loving, forgiving, caring, kindness, and trustworthiness. / Noch. He inspired me to become a video game designer. He was successful. / My brother because he is nice and caring, has manners and respect. / My little cousin. I think he’s important because he looks up to me and I take care of him a lot. He’s 2. I look for respect, citizenship, trustworthiness, and caring. / They are important because they save people. Someone who doesn’t be mean. / Cristiano Ronaldo. Because CR7 won the golden ball and he is the best soccer player in the world. What he has done in the past or now. / Supermom. I think she is important because she’s always been there for me. She’s my mom and dad together. I look for trustworthiness in a hero because a hero is someone you should and can trust.

Seeing Beyond: You don’t always need all 5 senses when you work as a team. In science because there is a lot of guessing. You learn to trust your senses more. / There will always be ups and downs.

If you get a bad grade, don’t give up. Keep trying. / Whether you’re right or wrong, you can always learn from your mistakes. Science cause when an experiment goes wrong, now you know what was the problem. No judging from what you see or feel. / Never give up. Math. Because if you get it wrong, you can learn from your mistakes. It will help you be successful.

Drawing one’s Fear’s, Hopes and Dreams and Sharing: Everyone has dreams, fears, and memories. If you work hard, you can accomplish your dream. When we realize we all have to work hard it pushes us motivate each other. It will be easier accomplish your goals. / You can overcome anything. You can make the right choices. You won’t be afraid to stand up to the bully. It would help you be strong and courageous. / Everybody has fears, goals, and hopes. Everyone is not the same.

Sometimes you must overcome fears. For kids to have more friends, hope, faith, and integrity.

Knowing why and what they suffered or face, so fears can be used for the good. Make us strive for our hopes and dreams and overcome our fears. / All of us have fears and dreams. It will help us through hard times. It will help us get over fears. Help us overcome fears.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: We can be heroes with little things done. Can help prevent bullying. Everyone will look up to you as a hero and more respect. / To be there for your friends. Be a good friend at school. Your friends will have your back if you have theirs. / Being good to someone will pay you a good feeling. Good to help people. Help others, reduce bullying, learn more. Good karma, someone would look up to you, have more knowledge. / It is always good to help someone.

To be helpful towards other. It shows u how to be responsible.

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

When I go to Circle K I buy something and whenever I get change I donate my change. / The one time I was caring for was my friend when she had tough times. I felt sad and felt good for helping her. / I remember when I taught my cousin how to play Skyrim the Elder Scrolls IV. He was a hard student. But in the end, I felt like a great cousin to him and me. / My friends tell me a lot of secrets. But I never tell anyone so I’m a trustworthy person. / I was trustworthy when I stopped a person from bullying another person. / One time I had to watch my little brother while my mom went to the store. I felt good and it made me feel confident and a leader. / I was trustworthy when my friend told me to hold his backpack and I didn’t let anyone take it. I felt like anyone can trust me and I felt responsible. / I helped my brother get over the death of our dog. / I was caring when I helped my friend through tough times. It felt good to be there for my friend. She was crying and also I went to go comfort her. / When I took care of my tia’s dog. / I’ve been to like Circle K and a lot of times I give money to poor people. Afterward I feel good because they are happy. / One time I was caring was when I helped a friend out with his issues when he felt that no one else was there. This made me feel important and like a good person. / One time I was caring is when I helped a dog when he was stuck. / There was a time when I was caring because I was playing baseball in my backyard and my cousin was batting and the ball hit a window and I took the blame for it. / I help my mom with my laundry and help her clean the home.

®

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

Funded By: Margaret T. Morris Location: Magnet Traditional School %Male 72

%Female 28

Dates: May 19-21, 2015

Ages 11-13

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

Pre %YES 67 %NO 22 %Other 11 Post %YES 78 %NO 22 %Other 0 Rate this statement: You feel comfortable speaking in front of others.

Pre % Not at all 11 % Sometimes 89 % All the Time 0 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 61 % All the Time 39 Rate this statement: I believe I can make my hopes and/or dreams come true.

Pre % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 56 % All the Time 44 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 22 % All the Time 78 Rate this statement: I respect my own decisions even when dealing with peer pressure.

Pre % Not at all 11 % Sometimes 44 % All the Time 39 % No Answer 6 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 28 % All the Time 66 % No Answer 6 Complete this statement: I am trustworthy and see myself as a __. Follower, Equal, Leader Pre % Follower 6 % Equal 50 % Leader 44 Post % Follower 6 % Equal 39 % Leader 55 Have you ever been bullied? % Yes 61 % No 39 Have you ever seen someone being bullied? % Yes 83 % No 11 % No Answer 6 Did you do anything? % Yes 55 % No 17 % No Answer 28 Did you learn something in the workshop that will help you deal with bullying?

Post % Yes 89 % No 11 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: Teamwork can stop anything. / If we all work together we could stand against bullying. / I learned not to be afraid. / We are all the same because we all have problems. / I learned how to cope with bullies. / Be kind, we are all the same. / That you can work as a team to stop bullying. / It helps me when I get bullied I will use these skills. / No because bullies will never stop bullying. / Don’t bully anybody we are all the same. / I learned trust. / Yes because now I know that I don’t need to be afraid. / That it’s not always good to bully. / Be yourself and be fair. / All people have problems. / Don’t just stand watch. Get help or you help. / It will help me stop it.

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 for them. / I would stand up for them and tell a teacher even tell the bully, “Leave him or her alone.” / I would protect the victim. / Bullying is not right and it never will be. / I would tell the teacher. If there’s no teacher nearby, I would defend the kid being bullied. / I would tell them to knock it

off. / I would stand up to the bully and make a right choice. / I would tell him to stop. If he doesn’t I’ll get the closest teacher or adult. / So they don’t feel scared of school. / Yes because no one deserves to be bullied. / Yes because no one will be bullied. / Yes because they don’t know how to defend themselves. / I would have either told a teacher or an adult. / Tell the bully to stop. / I would not be a bystander but someone who will mend the heart. / It made me realize that bullying hurts. / I would get a teacher or deal with it myself. / I would tell an adult right away.

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

Post % Yes 83 % No 17 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: Do your own thing. / Is that if we work together and respect each other. / I learned that I am my own person. / You should be your own person. / I already understand responsibility and most other skills. / I’m not persuaded easily. / Responsibility makes life easier. / One skill was solving problems. / Because we did exercises in it. / Yes because I could be responsible. / Yes because it help me become a leader. / I learned that to always be confident. / Don’t worry about what other people think. / Should always ask a parent or yourself and think is that a good idea. / They helped me learn what it was like. / Such lying and my own self. / I learned how to be responsible.

What do you think about color?

What % gave more thought and shared them about color.

Pre 78% Post 100% Thoughts Shared: Pre: I have never thought about it. / I think that color is a unique think like a rainbow. / I think color is everything. / Color expresses our feelings. / I think about a rainbow. / I think color about like moods and rainbow. / Yes because I think the world is colorful. / No I have not thought about color. / Colors as in rainbow. / I think they’re cool cause you can pick a color and color is everywhere. / Pictures. / The world would be a boring place without color. / Color makes people feel good or make people feel bad. / I don’t care about color. / I have not ever thought about color. / It brings out the personality of people. / No I have always treated everyone equal no matter the skin color. / There is no color that makes me sad but there are colors that make me happy. / It’s nice. / Color is infinite. It does not describe who you are or what you are. Color is for everyone.

Post: They are emotions. / I think color is moods. And what I learn new about color is it dances and it’s a lot of things. / I learned that color is like sound. / I think color is very expressive and fun. I learned that you can feel color. / The color can define who you are or how hard something might be. / That color is living. / Color is life, it helps us see the real world. / I can see it with different music. / That no one color is the same and no one color is better. / I learned that everything has color. / Color is like sound or feelings. / That sound has color. / I learned that color is unique and has a sound. / That certain sounds can paint a picture. / Color is for everyone and life is color. / Color makes people feel a lot different. / That it can express you or your ways. / I learned that color has sound.

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

My most important hope or dream is. . .

What % gave more thought to their Dreams becoming reality.

Pre 94% Post 100% Thoughts Shared: Pre: My most important dream is to become a pediatrician. / My most important hope or dream is to become a doctor. / My most important hope or dream is to become a succseser and have a good reputation. / I don’t have one. / Is to be kind. / My most important dream is to be famous and be a NFL football player. / To become a baker. / To become a CIA agent. / To get a job. / To have good job and education. / I want to be in the NBA. / I dream to one day be a CEO of my own invention so that I can provide for my family and homeless animals. / I want to become a baseball player. / To be in the NBA. / Be a video game designer. / I mostly want to be a game designer or a graphic engineer. / My most important dream is to create different pieces of technology and create something that helps people. / To go to ASU and play on the softball team for ASU. / To be successful in life. / My dream is to be in the CIA and President of the US. Maybe during leisure time I draw or make movies.

Post: Be successful. / My most dream is draw, get As, and being good at thing if I try. / To open my own clinic. / Because it gives you a goal to reach. / My most important dream is to become a lawyer. / My most important hope or dream is to become a CEO of my own invention and be able to support my life and help others. / Is to become a cardiologist and save lives. / To graduate from college and to be a soccer player. / Is to reinvent the 3D printer and resurrect Paul Walker. / Is to support my future family. / My dream is to succeed in life and help people. / It is being a game designer. / My most important dream is to be a social worker. / My most important dream is to be in the NBA. / I want to be in the CIA and a undergraduate degree. / To become a MLB player for the Yankees. / Is to become many things, but mainly a video game designer/creator. / Is to become an NBA star.

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

Thoughts Shared: Work hard. / The one thing I learn is work together and citizenship to help me reach my dream is being a football player. / I learned I am myself no matter what people say. / I learned that I don’t have to stay in. I can express myself more. / I learned how to speak up and cope with others better. / One thing I learned in the workshop to help me reach my dream is to think deep into things and learn about myself. / I learned that anything is possible if you believe. / They taught me how to talk to other people. / One thing I learned is cooperation and teamwork. It will help when I have a team job to do when I am older. / I learned to never give up. / Don’t let your fears get in the way of your dream. / Responsibility and trust. / One thing is to be confident. Don’t be afraid to stand up. / To never give up. / I must follow my dreams even though I may fall upon stumbles. / To never give up and try my hardest at everything. / Is to never give up and to keep trying so you can accomplish. / Is to never give up and to keep trying.

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

Post 100% discovered something in the workshop to improve their Character Count.

Thoughts Shared: Trustworthy, people learned to trust me. / Citizenship and it improve by coming to the workshop is working together and being respectful. / I wanted to improve courage. / Citizenship. I learned how to support people more. / I wanted to improve a small part of respect. I was motivated to do so. / Citizenship. The workshop kind of helped me improve because I had to work in groups. / Trustworthiness. It helped me see the world with my own eyes. / They helped me to express my feelings. / Trustworthiness because no one really trusted me much, but now people can trust me. /

Trustworthiness because we did so much. / I want to improve caring and being kind to everybody. / Citizenship because I can help people. / It help me with trustworthiness because now I know what it means. / Respect. They taught me to be more respectful. / Helping or fairness. I should give everyone the same attention I give my friends. / Respect. They made me realize that if I really wanted something that I would have to be good. / Responsibility. They taught me to at least try and not be lazy. / Yes, the workshop has taught me responsibility.

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: We are not so different. / What I learn new in the workshop about my friend is what’s their fear. / I learned that my friend Cruz has many fears. / I learned about everyone. I learned that our lives are not so different. / I learned that some classmates have bullied and most of us have alike problems. / I learned that they aren’t all macho, that they have fears and feelings too. / I learned that everybody has a hope, dream, and fear. I’m not the only one. / That they have same fears as me. / That we all have fears, dreams, and many memories to remember. / That everyone has fears. / Everybody is the same, no one should get bullied. / That they can be loyal. / I learned that everybody has the same problems. / That all of us have different fears and dreams. / Every gone through rocks in their lives that they stumble on, so you gotta make the best of what you’ve got. / That some people that I didn’t think about have been bullied. / That I’m not the only one with a fear or dream. / I learned a few people are shy but they aren’t anymore.

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

Thanks to Margaret T. Morris, 18 young lives from Children’s First Academy experienced their Possibilities.

This workshop took place on June 21-24, 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 12-14.

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? : Honesty, sharing, caring. Get along with each other. Being open to people. To be happy. / Getting to know each other. Good grades in class. Focus more in your work. To have a good attitude. / New things about to each other, similar traits. Getting to know others. Knowing people for them. Others would feel comfortable around you. / Getting to know each other better.

Trusting others you don’t know. Getting to know someone. So you won’t judge everyone you meet.

Creative Storytelling: To express yourself. So others would get to know you. Walking away or telling an adult. And choose the right decisions. / Fairness. Work together. Call an adult. Equal. / Citizenship. Helping others than need help. You can make new friends. It makes you a helpful person. / Regarding trustworthiness. You can trust others with your things. You can trust someone stand up for you, prevent. Be opened to someone and gain their trust.

Through the Hoops: 6 character count. To believe in ourself. Caring, trusting, and respect. Respect and citizenship. / Working together and helping each other. Working together in work. Help the victim that’s getting bullied. Have more confidence. / Trust, teamwork, and working together. Learning to trust others and work with others. You can work together with others to stop bullying. You can learn to get along with others to work and get things done. / Trusting and cooperation. Working in a team and helping each other out. Trust your friends to help you out. You have to cooperate with others in order to gain their trust.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: Getting to know ourselves. Being descriptive. / Telling ourselves we love ourself. Helps achieve goals. It won’t affect you because we love ourself. Loving ourself. / How to trust yourself better love yourself. You can be more confident learn to love yourself.

You can trust yourself to make the right decisions. You would learn to make better decisions when you feel comfortable with yourself. / Sharing who are heroes are. We won’t be shy more nervous while sharing. Having confidence talking to others. You’ll have more confidence sharing with others.

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. / Make me feel weird and awkward because I don’t say “I love you” to anyone. / It makes me feel weird. / Great about myself. / Good and nice. / Nice, calm. / It makes me feel good and nice. / It makes me feel secure because I know I can trust myself. / This makes me feel good. / Good. / It made me feel really great because I really do love myself. / Cared for myself. / Good, confident.

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?

Batman. Because he is the only hero with no powers!! Respect. / My mom. She helps me out a lot. She always played the role of mom and dad. / My mom. Because she always takes care of me. / They help me survive. Helping me eat. / My mom is nice, awesome and short. She has a great personality and she’s been there for me. She’s my dad, mom, and best friend. She is important because she is always there for me.

Respect, responsibility, trust and fairness. / My mom because she cares for me and is respectful. Because she’s there for me. Respect, honesty, caring. / Mom. Because she is nice and she gives candy out to the kids outside. / My mo. Because she is my best friend. Because she brought me into this world!!! / My mom.

Cause they always care for me and gives me good and a roof. Honesty, loyalty, trust, responsibility, and that they are respectful. / Well I have two heroes. My mom and my dad. They both always tell me I can achieve all of my goals and that I am special. I look for positive people who cares about me and my family and that is able to always encourage me. / My super hero is my mom. She is important to me because she helps me. My characteristic for my hero are being helpful and nice. / My mom. Because are a big part of my family. She is kind, helpful, truthful, and respectful. / Cristiano Ronaldo inspires me to play soccer. / My family. They’re always there for me when I need them. / My hero is my mom. She is important because she is always there.

She is respectful. / Cristiano Ronaldo. What I think is cool from him because he had donated money to charity. / Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther King is my hero because he fought for freedom and never gave up. What would I look for in a hero is that they’re respectful, responsible, caring, and trustworthy. / My friends. Because they are always there for me! Respect, honesty, kind. / My hero is my mom. She is kind and cares for me.

Seeing Beyond: Getting to know ourselves. / Use descriptive details and personality. Math, English, science, and reading. It will help us understand it more. Helps in exams and test. / It helps you visualize things. When you do different subjects it helps you visualize descriptions. Gives you a better idea on visualizing. / Science, English. Helps describe items. You could describe and imagine what others are saying.

Drawing one’s Fear’s, Hopes and Dreams and Sharing: Experienced and felt and visualized the moment with the music and painting. Taking time out and learning. By expressing ourselves calmly and walking away being the bigger person. Being a bigger person choosing a right choice and being positive. / Showing thoughts, feelings. Achieve goals. No one knows their feeling. Following dreams. / How to draw with your feelings or let your feels out. It would make better pictures. You could think of bullying as a fear to get over. Helps you get over fears. / We have similar things fears as others. Get to express yourself. Feeling free to express yourself with others. Having the similarities as others makes you have more friends, less bullies. Sharing same interest and dreams.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: Help to accomplish our goals. By taking responsibility and caring. Being a great citizen. / Negative can make positive things. Thinking you’re gonna be bad but also be good. To look at things positively not negatively. / Not to think of everything as a negative thing. It would help you make the best of things. So you wouldn’t think just about the negative. / Staying opened with others. Even in something’s hard, it’s probably a good thing to try. Be opened to new ideas.

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 went to the doctors to get my braces and I thought that it was going to be scary but when it was over it was fine and I wasn’t scared no more. / When I was 7, riding a bike was boring to me because I didn’t know how to ride a bike. Until one day, my brother taught me how to ride a bike and it turned out to be my favorite hobby. / When my mom disciplines me. At first, I’m mad and a little bothered but at the end I understand she does it cause she cares. / When I went to visit my cousins I thought they were gonna be mean and they turned out to be cool. / When I went to the movies and my friends said that it was a good movie and that it was dumb but it turned up good!! / I thought that when I went to my friend’s house that it was going to be weird but it wasn’t it was fun!!! / My friend tried to make me go and the go cart and I said no and then he said just try and I tried and it was done. / When I went to the doctor to get my shots and I was scared to get but then it was not bad. / I thought that I was going to get in trouble when they called me in the office but it was a good thing. / One time I didn’t like Minecraft and I thought it was bad but my friend had Minecraft and showed me how to play and now I love Minecraft. / When I was lazy and I didn’t want to go to the park, my brother would convince me to go for I can get better at soccer. Then I kept going to the park and with a lot of practice and patience and after all I’m pretty good at soccer! / When I was getting a new brother, I thought he would be a distraction but my sister and I actually love him a lot and we get along well. / When I first started playing soccer team I thought it was gonna be boring, but when I started to play it was actually fun because had scored a goal. / Once I was getting on a ride and I was about to back out but then I started feeling good because I trusted myself and I found out the new things are good. / When me and my uncle was littler I didn’t like skating he taught me into it and now I like skateboarding. / When my baby brother Isaiah party, the cake fell and we had to go and get another cake. / One time me and my family went to the county fair and there was a ride that looked dumb and I didn’t want to get on it, but after a few rides I got on it and it was actually really cool.

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

Funded By: Margaret T. Morris Location: Children’s First Academy %Male 44

%Female 56

Dates: June 21-24, 2015

Ages 12-14

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

Pre %YES 61 %NO 33 %Other 6 % No Answer 0 Post %YES 88 %NO 0 %Other 6 % No Answer 6 Rate this statement: You feel comfortable speaking in front of others.

Pre % Not at all 6 % Sometimes 83 % All the Time 11 % No Answer 0 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 77 % All the Time 17 % No Answer 6 Rate this statement: I believe I can make my hopes and/or dreams come true.

Pre % Not at all 6 % Sometimes 66 % All the Time 28 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 28 % All the Time 72 Rate this statement: I respect my own decisions even when dealing with peer pressure.

Pre % Not at all 6 % Sometimes 83 % All the Time 11 % No Answer 0 Post % Not at all 6 % Sometimes 60 % All the Time 28 % No Answer 6 Complete this statement: I am trustworthy and see myself as a __. Follower, Equal, Leader Pre % Follower 0 % Equal 39 % Leader 61 Post % Follower 0 % Equal 28 % Leader 72 Have you ever been bullied? % Yes 61 % No 39 Have you ever seen someone being bullied? % Yes 78 % No 22 Did you do anything? % Yes 56 % No 22 % No Answer22 Did you learn something in the workshop that will help you deal with bullying?

Post % Yes 89 % No 11 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: To go to a nearest adult. / By being a leader. / Everyone has flaws. / To explain my skill. / To teach. / Trust. / To help others when they need you. / Maybe. If you help someone you may be involved with the situation and get into trouble as well. / Trust. / By helping others. / To do something that a leader will do. / Can’t defend yourself. / Because there is so much on my mind. / To care for each other. / Trusting others instead of judging. / Respect, trust. / To talk to an adult. / By being the bigger person.

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: Go help the kid being bullied. / Because I don’t want anyone get bullied. / They deserve it. / Help them. / I would tell an adult. / I would help. / I would talk with the bully and work out the situation with them. / Help. / Because no one deserves to be bullied. / Cause they will be in trouble. / hit him or talk to bully. / Be there and stick up for them. / To comfort them. / I wouldn’t want to be bullied either. / Told a teacher. / I would help the kid getting bullied. / Go and help the person that being bullied.

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: The 6 character count. / Teamwork. / Learn skills. / Honest. / Without respect you will hardly go anywhere. / To be me. / That I have the choice. / Yes. / Yes. Cause without them you can’t be anywhere in life. / Honesty. / You have the power to control your own decisions. / Be myself. / To trust one another.

What do you think about color?

What % gave more thought and shared them about color.

Pre 61% Post 94% Thoughts Shared: Pre: No. / Blue. / I like my color. / I’m not that kind of person. No I have not thought about color. / I think colors are awesome. / I think that everybody is the same. / Color shouldn’t mean anything, we’re all humans. Color is just color. It doesn’t/shouldn’t matter what color you are. / Light skin. / Nothing. / Nothing. / Nothing at all. / I think we are all equal. / Nothing. / No. / That we all should be treated equally. / I think color is great. / I think it is not right to single people out because of their race. / Yes green grass blue skies black road.

Post: Yes green. / That color matters. / It has a whole different meaning. / That color is cool and nice. / It’s music to my ears. / That everybody is the same even with or without colors. / It has major difference. / That it can help us think. / Music. / That they have different meaning. / Yes. / Color could have the same meaning. Very beautiful. / I learned to feel color in music. / Color is even more better when you feel color. / It in a type of music. / I learned about using your mind’s eye. / Some can be dark, some can be peaceful.

My most important hope or dream is. . .

What % gave more thought to their Dreams becoming reality.

Pre 50% Post 100% Thoughts Shared: Pre: Don’t have one. / IDK. / I don’t have a dream right now. / No. / Football or basketball or work on electric. / No. / My most important dream is to become an FBI agent. That’s my most important and only dream. / To pass high school and go to college. / My dream is to become a lawyer. / No. / I haven’t decided yet. / Lose weight and play soccer professional and to finish school and work hard. / Becoming a doctor pediatrician. / Yes. / I don’t have some at all right now. / To be an astronaut. / My most important dream is to lose weight and be happy. / I want to go to college and get a good job.

Post: To go to college. / Is to be a leader or a lawyer. / Hope because when you lose hope you lose everything else along the way. / Is help people in need. / Being a policeman. / Being a basketball player. / My most important dream is to finish school. / My most important dream is to become an FBI agent. / My dream is helping my mom and getting to college. / To become a lawyer. / To help others with their dreams. / Is to be a soccer player. / Play soccer, finish school, get a house and family. / Dream because you can make it come true. / To have a successful life and be able to help my family. / To become an artist and musician. / Astronaut. / To be a soccer player. / What I drawn on the paper.

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

Thoughts Shared: Get good grades. / The 6 character count. / There’s no right or wrong. Everyone has an opinion. / To learn to work as a team. / Do good in my classes. / Trustworthiness. / Is to have citizenship and to work with others. / Being respectful, opened to others, and help someone with a situation. / Trusting myself and express myself with others. / To finish school. / Trust teamwork. / Is to never give up. / Never give up. / To open and respect others to help me reach my dream. / To be kind with each other and be responsible. / To stay in a positive place and to work together. / Respect and responsibility and trust. / Never give up. / Are to express myself in a wonderful way.

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 100% discovered something in the workshop to improve their Character Count.

Thoughts Shared: Better attitude. / Fairness. / Trustworthiness because we needed trust in the hula hoop activity. / Help me learn character. / Cristiano. / It help me learn new thing. / Responsibility cause I can listen to others when they can be right. / I wanted to improve respect. This helped me out because I know that without it you want have a good life. / By being open toward other. / Citizenship. / To trust. / Respect to do everything patiently. / Trust. / Trustworthiness. It helped me trust people. / Responsibility and how I learned from others hearing stories. / By teaching me more about myself. / Citizenship. / Honesty. / Are to being respectful to others.

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: Working together. / That we can be a leader by teamwork. / People are scared of sharks, the dark. / To respect them. / That they have the same fear as me. / I learn new things about each other. / That they could have the same trustworthiness. / The different and similarity that I have in common with them. Knowing something else about them I didn’t know. / That we all have some same fears or dreams. / How they have the same fear. / That they shared the same interest as me. / That they like the same thing but not mostly. / Respect each other. / That some kids have a lot of things in common. / That we all have things in common. / That we are similar. / Similarities. / About them they feel about things. / Their emotion and feelings.

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

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

DECOVER U SUMMER CAMP LARRY C. KENNEDY

Thank you Thomas Polk and the Margaret T Morris Foundation 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 toolsto make better life choices.

Today they are that much closer to finding their gifts they have to share with the world around them.

Thank you for Believing,

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