Kemper and ethel marley train the traner report 9 2015

Kemper & Ethel Marley Train The Trainer .

2015 REPORT

Thank you Kemper & Ethel Marley 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 Kemper & Ethel Marley Foundation.

For The Kemper and Ethel Marley Train the Trainer Program This is the Mid- Report of 15 different workshops at varies schools making a difference in of 234 young lives and what they experienced through the "Bridging Possibilities" Character Education program. While extensively training through hands-on interaction within the workshops through each workshop we where able to train 4 new facilitators to delivering this lifesaving work. Demonstrating the power and importance of inspiring and empowering our youth with the essential tools so that they are able to make better life choices, find their gifts and know that they matter! Allowing them to lead a more meaningful productive life and become tomorrow's leaders in Arizona, or a brighter tomorrow for all.

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hat: Release the Fear, a nonprofit health and human-services organization, teaches youth through Character Education. Students discover within themselves the life skills needed to combat the effects of peer pressure, gang involvement, bullying, abuse, and violence in our society. Release the Fear (RTF) has worked with thousands of at-risk youth inspiring and empowering them with the tools to make better life choices, while offering experiential programs that help reverse the paralyzing effects of fear and diminished self-worth. RTF programs encourage youth to explore safe and healthy lifestyles and to overcome disabilities through the development of leadership and social skills through our evidence-based curriculum that meets AZ Career and College Readiness Standards. RTF has worked with youth in Arizona, nationally, and internationally, in such places as Guam and El Salvador, instilling positive life changes for thousands.

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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 facilitator uses controlled questioning to serve as a learning guide in order to move students toward 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 new findings. The 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 that connect and build on their applied knowledge and personal life goals. Without these essential life skills, the still-maturing minds of school students and detained youth view their futures as bleak, with no hope for a “normal” life.

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pproach: At the onset of setting up the program, students create the expectations for the workshop as a group.

Facilitators guide them through inquiry-based learning skills, to create a safe space while empowering and embracing their ability to make constructive and respectful choices about personal behavior and social interaction. This approach is based on the awareness of ethical standards and social norms, the consequences of their actions, and of the well-being of self and others. They, as a group, set up guidelines and choose consequences as a way of controlling impulses and a means of motivating themselves, creating an environment for achieving personal and academic goals while empowering a sense of confidence and optimism. Through these 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 RTF programs, participants discover that anything is possible and 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: Through one of many quantitative studies, 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 to 23 percent. For those who were able to benefit from multiple workshops, it dropped to 16 percent—nearly half the original 30 percent. That is an impressive impact on any child’s future as well as the community in general.

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 (%)

The Kemper and Ethel Marley Train the Trainer Program

2015 REPORT RELEASE THE FEAR 2015 RTF Pre/Post Survey Results 234 Students (15 PB Workshops) Male 77% Female 23% – Youth Ages 11-17 87.4% discovered something new about themselves 91.5% discovered something new about classmates and friends.

Pre 63.3% compared to Post 75.8% realized that they are not alone in their fears.

Pre 89.5% compared to Post 95.3% realized that they can make their dreams a reality.

80.5% learned something to help them deal with bullying.

92.2% stated that they would do something if they saw someone being bullied.

Individual Workshop Percentages 1. January 27-29 2015 Adobe Mountain Juvenile : Challenge 13 Students (1 IO-BP Workshops) Male 100% Female 0% – Youth Ages 12-17 85% discovered something new about themselves 92% discovered something new about classmates and friends.

Pre 61% compared to Post 69% realized that they are not alone in their fears.

Pre 85% compared to Post 92% realized that they can make their dreams a reality.

85% learned something to help them deal with bullying.

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

2. February 17-20 2015 Heard Elementary 25 Students (1 IO-BP Workshops) Male 44% Female 56% – Youth Ages 12-13 76% discovered something new about themselves 76% discovered something new about classmates and friends.

Pre 76% compared to Post 80% realized that they are not alone in their fears.

Pre 96% compared to Post 100% realized that they can make their dreams a reality.

76% learned something to help them deal with bullying.

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

3. March 17-19 2015 Adobe Mountain Juvenile : Dignity 13 Students (1 IO-BP Workshops) Male 0% Female 100% – Youth Ages 13-17 85% discovered something new about themselves 77% discovered something new about classmates and friends.

Pre 46% compared to Post 85% realized that they are not alone in their fears.

Pre 77% compared to Post 92% realized that they can make their dreams a reality.

85% learned something to help them deal with bullying.

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

4. March 17-19 2015 Adobe Mountain Juvenile : Challenge 18 Students (1 IO-BP Workshops) Male 100% Female 0% – Youth Ages 13-17 84% discovered something new about themselves 89% discovered something new about classmates and friends.

Pre 74% compared to Post 79% realized that they are not alone in their fears.

Pre 84% compared to Post 100% realized that they can make their dreams a reality.

89% learned something to help them deal with bullying.

90% stated that they would do something if they saw someone being bullied.

5. May 5-7 2015 Adobe Mountain Juvenile : Triumph 11 Students (1 IO-BP Workshops) Male 100% Female 0% – Youth Ages 15-17 100% discovered something new about themselves 91% discovered something new about classmates and friends.

Pre 55% compared to Post 55% realized that they are not alone in their fears.

Pre 73% compared to Post 100% realized that they can make their dreams a reality.

82% learned something to help them deal with bullying.

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

6. May 5-7 2015 Adobe Mountain Juvenile : Challenge 21 Students (1 IO-BP Workshops) Male 100% Female 0% – Youth Ages 12-17 90% discovered something new about themselves 90% discovered something new about classmates and friends.

Pre 67% compared to Post 90% realized that they are not alone in their fears.

Pre 100% compared to Post 95% realized that they can make their dreams a reality.

86% learned something to help them deal with bullying.

95% stated that they would do something if they saw someone being bullied.

7. May 12-14 2015 Larry Kennedy 11 Students (1 IO-BP Workshops) Male 55% Female 45% – Youth Ages 11-12 100% discovered something new about themselves 100% discovered something new about classmates and friends.

Pre 55% compared to Post 64% realized that they are not alone in their fears.

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

73% learned something to help them deal with bullying.

91% stated that they would do something if they saw someone being bullied.

8. June 30-July 2 2015 Adobe Mountain Juvenile : Venture 11 Students (1 IO-BP Workshops) Male 100% Female 0% – Youth Ages 15-17 100% discovered something new about themselves 100% discovered something new about classmates and friends.

Pre 45% compared to Post 64% realized that they are not alone in their fears.

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

73% learned something to help them deal with bullying.

82% stated that they would do something if they saw someone being bullied.

9. June 30-July 2 2015 Adobe Mountain Juvenile : Challenge 13 Students (1 IO-BP Workshops) Male 100% Female 0% – Youth Ages 12-17 100% discovered something new about themselves 100% discovered something new about classmates and friends.

Pre 53% compared to Post 61% 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.

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

10. July28-30 2015 The New Foundation 10 Students (1 IO-BP Workshops) Male 50% Female 50% – Youth Ages 11-16 100% discovered something new about themselves 100% discovered something new about classmates and friends.

Pre 63% compared to Post 80% realized that they are not alone in their fears.

Pre 100% compared to Post 91% 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 11. August17-19 2015 Kenilworth Elementary School 24 Students (1 IO-BP Workshops) Male 50% Female 50% – Youth Ages 13-14 95% discovered something new about themselves 100% discovered something new about classmates and friends.

Pre 72% compared to Post 87% realized that they are not alone in their fears.

Pre 68% compared to Post 100% realized that they can make their dreams a reality.

87% learned something to help them deal with bullying.

84% stated that they would do something if they saw someone being bullied.

12. August24-26 2015 Kenilworth Elementary School 27 Students (1 IO-BP Workshops) Male 37% Female 63% – Youth Ages 13-14 100% discovered something new about themselves 100% discovered something new about classmates and friends.

Pre 92% compared to Post 96% realized that they are not alone in their fears.

Pre 81% compared to Post 89% realized that they can make their dreams a reality.

92% learned something to help them deal with bullying.

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

13. August24-26 2015 Adobe Mountain Unit: Challenger 13 Students (1 IO-BP Workshops) Male 100% Female 0% – Youth Ages 15-17 77% discovered something new about themselves 100% discovered something new about classmates and friends.

Pre 69% compared to Post 85% realized that they are not alone in their fears.

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

69% learned something to help them deal with bullying.

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

14. August24-26 2015 Adobe Mountain Unit: Voyager 14 Students (1 IO-BP Workshops) Male 100% Female 0% – Youth Ages 16-17 Pre 50% compared to Post 79% realized that they are not alone in their fears.

Pre 100% compared to Post 93% realized that they can make their dreams a reality.

15. September 4-7, 2015 The New Foundation 10 Students (1 IO-BP Workshops) Male 100% Female 0% – Youth Ages 11-17 22% discovered something new about themselves 66% discovered something new about classmates and friends.

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

Pre 88% compared to Post 78% realized that they can make their dreams a reality.

66% learned something to help them deal with bullying.

88% 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 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 The Kemper and Ethel Marley Train the Trainer (TTT) Program consists of fifteen (15) dedicated workshops per year in 2015. These workshops are structured to provide for new 4 facilitator learning time, self reflection as well feedback on the process. Of the fifteen workshops each year, two workshops per year will serve as continuing education for previously trained facilitators so they are able to continue working and presenting with the most up to date knowledge of our research-based curriculum

Final Report Program Budget: Kemper & Ethel Marley RTF Character Education Bridging Possibilities: For 15of 15 Train the Trainer workshops

Proposed Budget Per Workshop 15 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

$660.00 $380.00

$9,900.00 $5,700.00

$150.00 $ 50.00

$2,250.00 $750.00

$ 70.00 $ 50.00

$1,050.00 $750.00

$240.00 $ 50.00

$3,600.00 $750.00

TOTAL FOR 1 WORKSHOP $1,650.00 TOTAL FOR 15 WORKSHOPS Print new curriculum materials =

$24,750.00 $250.00

The Kemper and Ethel Marley Train the Trainer = $25,00.00 Group Training meeting for 8 Facilitator, once a quarter = Release the Fear unrestricted funds

$960.00

While extensively training through hands-on interaction within the workshops through each workshop we were able to train 4 new facilitators to delivering this life- saving work 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

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 Kemper & Ethel Marley Foundation, 13 young lives from Adobe Mountain Juvenile Facility Unit: Challenge experienced their Possibilities.

This workshop took place on January 27-29, 2015. -#1 of 15 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 12-17.

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? : How to care, how to respect, my anger. Help cope to get work done. Who you are not, what you are. Get a better outlook on life. / Honesty, positive, smart, friendly. Good positive friends, good grades. I will stand out and be unique. Self control and positive role model, also a reliable person. / 6 traits of character honesty. Honesty, following directions. Honesty, you would get to know the person before judging. Honest will help you become a better person. / Successful young men, new skills and character traits. Focusing, clear minded, teamwork. Individuality, not the same. Coping with daily life situations.

Creative Storytelling: Imagination, knowing your facts. Brighter point of view. Come up with solutions to stop bullying. Help different solutions with different problems. / Accountable. If someone stole something. Tell a teacher. Owing up for your actions. / Protective. Protect the weak and help the uneducated. Protect the weak. Everyone do their part in the world.

Through the Hoops: Teamwork, trust, patience. Group project gets work done. They can depend on you for help. Respect the person ain’t on the same level. / Teamwork, trusting others. Everyone has a part in group work settings. Group work on preventing negativity and speak up to bullies. Apply in jobs by coping with coworkers. / Teamwork, trust. Helping groups. Stop bullying. Working with employees.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: Realize who heroes are. Helps push to be better person.

Realize don’t have to succumb to it. Helps realize who want to be. / Being a leader, achieving goals.

School council boards NJHS. Being a leader helps others follow positive role models. Teaches leadership to young. / Important people who you inspired. Giving advice to others. By avoiding trouble with others. Form your future.

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 good about myself. / Great, happy, proud, confident. / Good, hopeful. / It makes me happy and good. / It makes me feel good. / It makes me feel pretty good. / Confident. I know what I want, brave. / Happy, sad, angry, excited. / Pride for myself that I can do anything (within reason).

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’s a loving caring person who cares and takes care of her loved ones. Because they are caring loving mothers and provided me for my life. Trustworthy, caring, respectful, responsible. / Dad. Everything I learned that is positive was because of him. Nice and treat everyone the same. / My mom.

Because they can help me get through this rough time in my life. Supportive, caring, loving, hopeful. / My mom is my hero cuz she is there for me when I need her. Because her is there for me. I look for characteristics in my hero which is courage and trustworthy. / My mom because my mom always been there for me. Because she is always here for me and I can depend on her. Courage is the characteristics she has. / Mom. She has always been there for me. Loving, hardworking, caring, etc.. / My brothers cause they made something of themselves.

Cause they’re my role models. Confidence, knowing what they want in life. / Me. Because I have to get my own money on my own. Respectful, responsible, caring. / Roger Pinkstaff (court appointed special advocate) is my hero. I have known him most my life (8-11) and he’s like a father to me. He has stayed with me through everything I have done, good and bad. Someone who stays with you through good and bad.

Seeing Beyond: To used numbers in questions. Help with identification, science. Help identifying for disable. / Critical thinking. It would help you solve problems all, because it would help you think of things faster. It would help you solve conflict between workers.

Drawing one’s Fear’s, Hopes and Dreams and Sharing: Realized fears and dreams. Recognize what we want to work to. Maybe similar fears and dreams. Give respect for fears. / Expressing yourself. When you have a presentation to do. You can express yourself. You can tell people or express yourself to everyone. / Artistic, vivid imagination. Imagining problem and education. How to solve them. Imagine how to stop bullying and change subject. Imagine a better you.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: Feeling proud of ourself for doing some good. You can doing something for someone and still have that good feeling. Respecting people the way you want to be treated.

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

I help my little sister with her homework because I cared so she wouldn’t get in trouble at school. It made me feel good because she was happy. / When the love kitchen ask me to help them serve food for the ones in need and when I said yes at the end of the day I felt like I helped someone. / This guy dropped his wallet and I picked it up and gave it to him. Good. / I was riding my bike and I seen an old man whose wheelchair died on him and I stopped and pushed him to the store after that I felt good about myself. / When my cousin wanted to leave his phone and he ask me to take care of it, so I did and it was there when he came back, and it made me feel good that he can trust me. / I was caring when I gave this homeless man a hookup of food from my family’s restaurant. He was very thankful and offered me like four dollars, so I said no and also gave him a Grant ($50). I felt like a good human and what I will never forget is when he had a tear in his eye and said God bless you. / My friend’s mom asked me to watch her house til she gets home and not to let no one in and that’s what I did. / I had to take my friend home when he was drunk instead of letting him get arrested. I helped my grandma when she fell down.

Color: To get songs and stuff and compare them to situation. To compare subjects and colors. It will help with comparing thing to colors to make art.

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

Funded By: Kemper & Ethel Marley Foundation Dates: January 27-29, 2015 Location: Adobe Mountain Facility Unit: Challenge %Male 100

%Female 0

Ages 12-17

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

Pre %YES 61 %NO 31 %Other 8 Post %YES 69 %NO 31 %Other 0 Rate this statement: You feel comfortable speaking in front of others.

Pre % Not at all 15 % Sometimes 46 % All the Time 39 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 46 % All the Time 54 Rate this statement: I believe I can make my hopes and/or dreams come true.

Pre % Not at all 8 % Sometimes 31 % All the Time 61 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 8 % All the Time 82 Rate this statement: I respect my own decisions even when dealing with peer pressure.

Pre % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 23 % All the Time 77 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 15 % All the Time 85 Complete this statement: I am trustworthy and see myself as a __. Follower, Equal, Leader Pre % Follower 0 % Equal 38 % Leader 62 Post % Follower 0 % Equal 23 % Leader 77 Have you ever been bullied? % Yes 54 % No 46 Have you ever seen someone being bullied? % Yes 92 % No 8 Did you do anything? % Yes 85 % No 15 % No Answer 0 Did you learn something in the workshop that will help you deal with bullying?

Post % Yes 85 % No 15 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: Speaking up. / I learned that imagination can help you stop bullying. / Stop it now. / Teamwork. / It told me how to understand how others feel. / Cause already knew. / To stand up to others. / To stand up for other. / I will not do it and stop it. / I didn’t learn anything.

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

Post % Yes 97 % No 8 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: Speak up. / Because I’m not trying to get in other problems. / Stop it now. / I will help them. / Team up and speak out. / Tell someone. / I will help the kid. / Cause don’t want it happening to my kids. / Because that caring. / Because that caring. / I would go and do something and if that didn’t work, I would tell an adult. / I don’t like fighting.

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

Post % Yes 92 % No 8 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: Do what’s right. / Because I learned that pleasing myself is better than pleasing my friends. / Stop. / People can be deceitful. / I’ve had them. / It help me to be my own leader. / Cause already know. / Being honest. / Doing your own thing is being honest. / Just don’t do it. / I didn’t learn anything.

What do you think about color?

What % gave more thought and shared them about color.

Pre 69% Post 100% Thoughts Shared: Pre: Red. / I think color can have an effect on people’s emotions. / My favorite color is red. / I am lucky to see some beautiful colors. / Nothing I don’t really mind. / Color is personal and important.

Color is important when I eat or my room color. / Color is nothing to me, it’s actions what make me treat a person the way I do. / Each color has their own meaning. / I think what’s the point of color? / I don’t care about color. Everything is equal. / No. / The color we see is actually the color the object is not and that’s why it’s that color. / IDK. Post: Express your mind. / That color can mean anything. / Music, everything you think that peaceful. / It is important. / It makes people think. / That colors are based on emotion. / Red. / Red. / Every color means something. / That color has emotion. / Color is just a perception.

My most important hope or dream is. . .

What % gave more thought to their Dreams becoming reality.

Pre 85% Post 92% Thoughts Shared: Pre: To be successful. / My dream is to have a successful future. / To stop coming to jail. / Is sports or painting and auto shop. / Become a All-American athlete and make money. / My dream is to help others look better. / My most important dream is to be successful in life and support my future family and current family. / Is to be a rapper. / Getting home. / Is to move back to my family in Arkansas. / Get my life together. / I don’t have one. / I don’t have one.

Post: Is being a leader. / To be a teacher. / National athlete All-American, porn star. / Become a dentist. / Be successful. / It to be successful. / To be successful. / To be successful. / Is to be a rapper. / To move back to my mom. / Rich.

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

Thoughts Shared: Responsibility. / To follow my dream. / Everything. / Using leadership. / Focus on myself. / It to trust in myself. / Trust. / To be responsible. / Is to stay committed. / Is never stop. / Work.

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 85% discovered something in the workshop to improve their Character Count.

Thoughts Shared: Speaking in front of people. / It helped me but not with one in particular. / Citizenship. / Respect, I learned to copy and respect thoughts. / It help me to stand up for what’s right and to not be scared to speak up for myself. / Trust cause taught me more. / Citizenship. / Trustworthyness. / Behavior. I am able to count on my feelings more.

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: They try to lie when it’s the truth. / Nothing / I learned that Avilla is a good speaker even though he explains everything too much. / Jobe came out closet and he wants to love all people mainly guys. / Honesty is important. / We really aren’t that different. / That we are not different from one another. / That people have same problems as me. And Avila has worst of them all, even worse than Davis. / Nothing. / To work as a team. / Is everybody has fears. / That some people have the same fears as me.

Thanks to Kemper & Ethel Marley Foundation, 25 young lives from Heard Elementary experienced their Possibilities.

This workshop took place on February 17-20, 2015. - #2 of 15 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 12-13.

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? : Who you trust. Friends, teachers, parents. Preventing lies. To gain trust and expressing yourself. / Think about other people. Learn more about them. To know what they like and don’t like.

Makes life easier to know about them. / Math skills, listening, responsible. Step up, be yourself, be proud. It can help by listening, getting to know them. / Trustworthiness, stand up for what you believe in, speak up, confidence. When someone needs help or if someone’s being bullied. To identify somebody new. Being more confident and express yourself, show people who you really are, getting on the right path.

Creative Storytelling: The trusting step. The people you choose to trust. Standing up to them with honesty. Being strong, helping others. / Friendship and caring. Fairness is always important. It’s not fair when people make fun of other people. It shows everybody is equal no matter what. / Verbal/body response, teamwork, communicate. To show citizenship, caring, collaboration, helping. It would help them be better and understand. Make you feel better, build confidence. / Teamwork, cooperation, creativity. Helping other people, studying, group work, meeting new people, presentations. Confidence on standing up. Build confidence, treat everybody equal.

Through the Hoops: Cooperation and teamwork. How you communicate with friends and teamwork.

Confident, defending yourself. Working with other people, communicate. / Teamwork. By help others.

People would have that one person’s back. Teamwork is important. / Teamwork, patience, communication, participation. Talking, debating, helping each other. By caring and talking with emotions, communicate. Communicate when problems happen. / Teamwork, trust, use your instincts.

Playing sports. Stop bullying if your instincts tell you to. Getting a job.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: How to love, to have confidence, and encourage yourself. How to defend yourself. To believe in yourself. To make you stronger and build self-confidence. / To love ourselves the way we are. Treat others how you want to be treated. Stand up for people and yourself.

Love people the way you love yourself. / To express yourself, to break away with shyness. To share thoughts, don’t be shy. Match up what role model would do. Show who you are, be confident. / Express yourself, confidence, courage yourself. Public speaking, bullying, try something new. Stand up and say no to the kids trying to peer pressure you. Public speaking, confidence to get a job.

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 was just looking at the mirror saying “I love myself.” / It feels good to love yourself for who you are and it is basically accepting yourself. / It feels good to love yourself (it felt good). It kind of felt awkward though. / It makes me feel proud and practically accepting who you are. / It makes me feel good because I love who I am. / It makes me feel awesome. / It makes me feel good. / Happy and good. / Okay, different. / Myself feel good about myself. / It makes me express myself. It makes me feel that you should be respectful to yourself. / Happy and cool but a little bit weird. / Weird. / Makes me feel weird. / Weird, caring, loving. / It made me feel great and a little weird. / Good, normal. / It makes me feel weird. / That makes me feel weird. / When I looked at myself at the mirror I felt happy because I like how I am.

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?

Superman! I think he is important because he saves people! Strangeness….caring. / Kellin Quinn. Is a post hardcore singer which is rock music. He is the vocalist of his band. They started their band in 2009. He married a girl named Katlyin in 2013 and now have a 2 year old daughter Copeland Quinn. He has his own clothing line.

He mostly sings about his past or makes a song out of letters his fans give him about their situations. They are important because he says stuff/sings about why not to self-harm or commit suicide and he also made me realize in one his songs “Trophy Father Trophy Son” that I don’t need my dad being around since I made it this far without him. Them being caring and respectful. / My mom is my hero because she knows how to be calm in tough situations. My mom is important to me because she is my mom and she loves me. My mom is very loving and she feeds me and cares for me. / My uncle is a pastor in our church. He is a good adviser since he reads the Bible. Most of the time he seems to know everything. My uncle is important because he loves me, he is humorous, he’s kind, and he is very wise. My uncle is loving, funny, kind and very wise. / My mom is my hero. / My mom because she takes care of me and always feed me and hard working. / My grandma. She tells me to move on and study and wise. Wise. / Superman. Because he saves lives. / Don’t got one. Can’t answer because couldn’t answer who is your hero. The thing I look for in a hero is strong and funny. / My mom. She gave birth to me, without her I wouldn’t survive. Inspiration, courage, kindness, respectable, trusting. / Iron Man because he is awesome. IDK. / My hero is no one. I don’t have a hero. I want a hero who is nice, funny, and for him to always be trustful and respectful. / Spiderman. Becaues he can shoot out webs. He saves lives and he’s cool. /

My mom. Because they set an example. / Reyna. She’s my best friend and she encourages me to be better and to ignore the ones who disagree. Someone who helps one another and cares for people who’s let down. / Ariel Chavez. Ariel is my hero. She helps me when things and gives me advice. She’s helpful and is a friend.

Nice, trustful, caring. / My mom’s name is Cecilia and I’m taller than my mom. My mom is strong and independent. She’s my role model. Because my mom teach me how to defend myself and be independent. To be independent. / Dad. Because of their personalities. Good personality, caring, loving. / My mom because she’s helpful and hard working. I think they’re important because she helps people. My hero is my Nana because she’s real with people. / My hero is my mom. My mom is important because they work hard and my mom cares for me. My mom is trustworthy, caring, and responsibility. / My mom. I think my mom is my hero because she gave me birth and she is loving. I think they are very important to you and other people. Loving, hardworking, helper, and funny.

Seeing Beyond: Describing skills. Make educated guess in math and observing in science. Helps to be more descriptive. / Ask detail question. Math and science because you have to make inference.

Asking questions may lead you to important discovery. / Thinking, clues, prior knowledge, imagination.

Art class, music class, science class, reading, social studies. Easier to do things, be able to think ahead. / Guessing, observation, feel brain, imagination. Science, math, observation, social studies, test, art, to see shape and draw it. If you’re blind you could use your touch or feel.

Drawing one’s Fear’s, Hopes and Dreams and Sharing: Open, wise, achievable. To share ideas and to break out of your shell. To stand up for yourself. Achieve your goals and get there. / Express yourself. Share your fear, not be afraid. Not be afraid to stand up to them with pride. You might be afraid but have perseverance. / To realize that other people have the same fears. Have confidence and be able to express yourself. Knowing you’re not alone. To confront your fear and achieve your goal. / Express feelings, sharing, peoples have same fear, same dreams, memory. Help each other achieve dreams. Conquering fear, make a connection. To be more respectful to other people’s fears and dreams.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: Goal, have clear ideas. Stand up for yourself and be ideaful. Be the bigger person and be positive. / Bad things can be turned into good things. If you’re failing a class you can turn the bad grade to a good grade. There will always be obstacles in life but having a positive perspective can help with that.

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 was smaller my big cousin was saying I wasn’t going to pass my classes if I act the way I am but I realize she was telling me that so I can know. / My grades were negative but now its positive. / Before there was a negative in my life it became a positive this year since I got more friends, even more than last year friends. / Before there was a negative and my life changed in a slow way. Then there was a positive and my life changed in a good way and a quick way. / Someone told me that I wouldn’t make it in life, but here I am in school. / I got mad when my cousin broke my vase but then I remembered that she’s just a little girl. She doesn’t know better. / I thought talking to a person I had never met before would be kind of negative and weird but then I thought it could be a good opportunity for us to be friends. We are friends now and talk to each other. / At first I wanted to go to Castles and Coasters, but they didn’t have money. I got mad so I yelled because I didn’t get what I want, but then I understood they would take me but they didn’t have the money, I understood. From negative to positive. / When my brother ripped my book I got mad. But then I remember that he just a one year old. He don’t know well. So I got a new book. / I felt really bad because I could be paying for clothing there. A girl got in trouble because I was paying her and felt bad for her. / I felt mad and sad at the beginning when my friend was being bullied, then I felt happy after I talked to the bully about it and then he let him alone. / I was bored in my house then I went outside and skateboard and felt free. / At the beginning,

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 thought it was awkward being in a house I’ve never been to. Afterwards, I felt it was OK since I was enjoying my time with the people in that house. / I went in my kitchen. There was no food. So I went back in the kitchen and there was food. / In the beginning I was bored, then at the end it was funner. / I felt like stealing from my mom but then I didn’t and I got better. / I went to the mall and I hate the mall but I saw a pretzel stand and got better. / When my dad had to let my dog go because he bit everybody. / A long time ago, my brother gets me in trouble. I felt bad but then I realized it was his fault. He started it! But I wasn’t going to do anything to him because he’s my brother. / I feel more happy then how I felt before and confident. / An experience I had I thought was negative and then turned positive was watching a movie I thought I didn’t like. / A experience I had was not bad it was good. A long time ago my brother got me in trouble for not doing my homework, but then I started doing my homework.

®

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

Funded By: Kemper & Ethel Marley Foundation Location: Heard Elementary %Male 44

%Female 56

Dates: February 17-20, 2015

Ages 12-13

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

Pre %YES 76 %NO 20 %Other 4 Post %YES 80 %NO 12 %Other 8 Rate this statement: You feel comfortable speaking in front of others.

Pre % Not at all 16 % Sometimes 72 % All the Time 12 % No Answer 0 Post % Not at all 12 % Sometimes 64 % All the Time 20 % No Answer 4 Rate this statement: I believe I can make my hopes and/or dreams come true.

Pre % Not at all 4 % Sometimes 40 % All the Time 56 % No Answer 0 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 32 % All the Time 64 % No Answer 4 Rate this statement: I respect my own decisions even when dealing with peer pressure.

Pre % Not at all 12 % Sometimes 44 % All the Time 44 Post % Not at all 4 % Sometimes 44 % All the Time 52 Complete this statement: I am trustworthy and see myself as a __. Follower, Equal, Leader Pre % Follower 8 % Equal 72 % Leader 20 Post % Follower 4 % Equal 52 % Leader 44 Have you ever been bullied? % Yes 52 % No 44 % No Answer 4 Have you ever seen someone being bullied? % Yes 64 % No 36 Did you do anything? % Yes 52 % No 36 % No Answer 12 Did you learn something in the workshop that will help you deal with bullying?

Post % Yes 76 % No 24 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: To stop them from bullying you. / To walk away. / Standing up for others and showing the bully what respect is. / Because no one supposed to get in my business. / Because I already know what to do. / People are still going to bully so yeah. / Be yourself. / Stand up for yourself. / Don’t let the bullies push you around, stand up for yourself. / I learned that choosing specific things to say can help. / Help other people. / The hula hoops to work as a team and to connect. / Express yourself. / Yes to let you know you’re not alone. / I will stop them bullying. / I learned that everyone is equal. / I don’t get bullied. / That you can stand up to a bully. / Confidence. / To show confidence and stick up for yourself.

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 would tell the bully to stop. / Because it is not nice to bully people. / It’s the right thing to do. / I would stand up for them by showing the bully that he/she is wrong and telling the victim he should walk away. / Because I will like them help. / To respect and help them. / Yes because don’t treat others bad because they don’t treat you bad. / They deserve freedom. / Talk to them or tell them to leave that person alone. / Yes because they need to stop bullying other people. / I would tell a teacher or help. / Help them. / I would stand up to the bully myself because it is not worth it. / Defend them. / I would tell the bully if they feel bad about themselves. / Help them and stop the bully. / Yes I would do something by telling them to back off. / I would tell a teacher or adult. / I would tell the bully to leave them alone. / Stand up for them. / I would tell the person they should talk about 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 84 % No 12 % No Answer 4 Thoughts Shared: I learned that to respect my decisions. / I learned that each of us are great just the way they are. Also, we need to respect our own decisions. / I will not like to no one help me or pressure me. / I already know how to make decisions. / No because I don’t want to do what people tell me to do. / Be responsible. / Be yourself. / That be respectful and responsible to people and yourself. / Yes cause it would help with honest decisions. / Express your feeling. / Yes, because you could get the consequences later. / Be yourself. / I would not listen to peer pressure. / I learned to do what I want and to follow my dreams. / I don’t understand. / I can do anything without anyone telling me. / Be yourself. / To be comfortable in the decisions you make.

What do you think about color?

What % gave more thought and shared them about color.

Pre 76% Post 92% Thoughts Shared: Pre: I don’t think of all of color. / I think about color is it shows out what you doing. / Color is very lovely and can’t live without. / Color is a beautiful thing of nature that can give different types of feelings. / Color is all different colors that makes one. / I think that color helps express someone. / I think color is beautiful and color is helpful to see. / What I think about color is everyone is a person that should be treated the same no matter what skin color they are. / Color represents many things in life, like music or feelings. / Color is very beautiful and without it we would express ourselves the way we would with color. / What I think of color is that people express themselves with color. / No I haven’t thought about color. / I never thought about color. If you mean skin, my dad says to be color blind and to gain respect the way you want. / I think color represents life. / In some occasions color is important to me. / I never really thought about color but I do love the color blue. / I think color is beautiful. / I have not thought about it. / I don’t think about color a lot because is respect the other color. / Art. / When I think about color I think of art, images, and race. / I have not thought about color. / I think color is a good thing because it helps us see the world a different way. / When I hear the word “color”, I think of red.

Post: I think the colors are beautiful in some way. / When you listen to music, you see different colors. / It expresses your feelings. / Color is beautiful. / Color can be seen in music. / We can see color in music. / I think color is beautiful and color is everywhere. / That you can mix colors and get other pretty colors. / Color pops out. / It’s beautiful, it’s mood colors. / You can mix color to make a new color. / Color is everywhere. / I learn about there’s a lot of color in each of them. / I learned that color can explain you are. / That many colors can make nice work. / Color is color and I learned how

to help other people. / Color can be expressed in my different ways like feeling, beats, or music. / Color matters. / Mixing new colors can make shapes. / I think it’s cool and expresses the person. / Color has different meanings. / Color to me is skin color and that everyone’s the same. / I think color is everywhere and the workshop taught me color is in music. / Colors can be expressed by music. / It’s important. / That color expresses your feelings.

My most important hope or dream is. . .

What % gave more thought to their Dreams becoming reality.

Pre 96% Post 100% Thoughts Shared: Pre: I hope to become a football player. / My most important dream is to be a pro skateboarder. / Become a nurse or dentist and not die lonely. / My most important dream is to become a military engineer. / To be a marine biologist. / My most important dream is to make the world a better place. / My most important hope or dream is to become a dancer and help people or kids. / My dream is to become a singer because it helps me when I’m sad, mad, or depressed. / My most important dream is to graduate from college to become someone in life. / My most important dream is to be an actress and not die lonely. / My most important dreams is to have a good life. / My most important dream is to become a professional athlete. / I want to become a chef and cook professional foods for my friends and family. / My most important hope/dream is to be a strong leader for people. / I either want to be an architect or genetic engineer. / To become a graphic designer or a licensed artist. / My most important dream is to go to college and be a doctor or a dance teacher. / My most important dream is to become someone in life. / My most important dream is to go to college. / I want to be a soccer player. / My most important dream is to meet at least 2 of my favorite singers. / My most important hope or dream is to become a firefighter. / My most important dream is to fly one day.

Post: My most important hope and dreams are to complete life. / Is to be successful. / Professional football. / Is to graduate college. / To become a dancer. / To be happy. / My most important dream is to travel around the world, become a scientist, and have a happy family. / Become a doctor. / To go to college and graduate college. / My most important dream is pro skateboarder. / Be an engineer. / To become a genetic engineer. / Is becoming a singer. / Is to do well on my education and go to college. / Is to become a licensed artist to join Manjo and create my own mangas. / Is to be rich. / Is my dream and it be a professional soccer player. / Is to skydive because with Ariel because I am scared of heights but to get over it with something very fun. / Is to have a happy and safe life. / My most important dream is to travel and interview rock bands and upload it to YouTube. / To graduate college and become a veterinarian. / To have a world with peace and never give up. / Go to high school. / My most important dream is to become a singer like really bad. / My most important dream becoming a vet or model. / To become a nurse or dentist. / Is to become a pediatrician.

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

Thoughts Shared: One thing that can help me is don’t let others get in my way. / Is to have hope. / Confidence. / Is to not be afraid. / Keep trying. / To not give up. / One thing I learned is that we shouldn’t let our fears get in the way of achieving our goals, we should always keep trying. / Is to never give up. / Is nothing I know. / Is never quiet and keep on trying. / Respect your decision. / To see things in a different perspective. / Is do well in school and keep fighting. / Is to study and exercise. / The beach ball helped me so I can conquer my dream. / Is to be respectful and trustworthy. / Never give up. / Is to be very creative and do things to practice. / Persevere. / One thing I learned in the workshop that will help reach my dream is my confidence since I want to interview people. / Don’t let anyone make you feel down. Be yourself. Love you for who you are. / Never give up. / Is that don’t give up. / Is to not let anyone tell me different and it will maybe become true. / Nothing helped. / That you can complete your dreams. / Never give up. / Is to never give up and confident.

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

Post 76% discovered something new in the workshop.

Thoughts Shared: What learn before was how to be independent. / That it is important to share with others. / I’m strong. / That I could speak up. / Speak out. / That I am like other people. / I learned that I am able to talk in public and feel comfortable. / To love myself for who I am. / Nothing I know about myself. / Nothing. / To be compassionate towards others. / That you’re beautiful no matter what others say. / That I can talk louder and I can talk in front of a group. / That I can help myself and be more confident than I am. / That I can be brave in some situations. / What I learned was to never give up. / That I am very creative and I am loving myself. / The homework we did about what you upset or how did you fix made me realize what upset me got back into me which got me sad. / That I should love myself for who I am. / People may have fears but they always end up conquering them. / That I am different. / That I was a leader and not a follower. / No. / I didn’t know that I could finally talk out loud to everybody. / Nothing. / That I can love and respect myself.

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

Post 76% discovered something new about classmates or friends in the workshop Thoughts Shared: They ended up being different than I thought. / They’re kind, loving. / They feel peer pressured. / That they have the same fear as me. / They have similar fears. / That we have many things in common. / I learned that most of us have the same fears and that many of us can be able to talk in public without feeling uncomfortable. / To know them better. / Nothing I know about everyone in class. / Never bully people and treat others as you want to be treated. / I learned Trevor had the same fear as me. / That we have lots and lots of stuff in common. / That they have the same fear as others. / That my best friend has a great personality and she is amazing. / That they can be scared at surprising things. / That they had the same fear. / That she is very creative and is very smart and adorable. / They have fear. / I learned that one of my classmates likes classical music. / They are who they are and nobody can change them. / We all may have a talent. / No. / That she is something a lot like me and we all went through a struggle in our life. / Nothing. / I learn new things about other people. / Nothing. / Nothing.

Thanks to Kemper & Ethel Marley Foundation, 13 young lives from Adobe Mountain Juvenile Facility Unit: Dignity experienced their Possibilities.

This workshop took place on March 17-19, 2015. -#3 of 15 Opening up possibilities for the young minds of Arizona’s youth for a brighter tomorrow.© “Bridging Possibility” workshops.

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

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

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

These responses are written in their words without edit.

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

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

Who am I? : Courage, confident, non-judgmental. Show respect, start conversation, get to know people. Everybody has things in common. Build respect, honesty, responsibility, fairness, careness. / Nonjudgmental, confident. Help to have self-confidence, speak my mind. By not pre-judging people, self experience. Helps her trust. / Honesty, teamwork, respect, self-esteem, courage. How to respect others, work together, walked up to the line when something applied. If we have respect for others we will prevent stereotyping. It’ll build up our self-esteem and help us to be honest and courageous.

Creative Storytelling: By knowing we are all different. IDK we can see how we are alike or not. / Caring, trustworthiness, creativeness. Group projects. Victims will trust you to have their backs and support them. Help me to be a better person.

Through the Hoops: Trust, teamwork. Trusting your classmates, being able to work together. Come together with a better cause. Trust each other, learn how to work with others. / Everything goes around and teamwork. By helping everyone get things together. By reaching out to others. By helping out other people. / Teamwork, communication. When you work a group project. If we all work together there will be no bullying. In order to be successful, you need to be able to work with people and help each other.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: Self-esteem, confidence, courage. Never giving up, patient.

Being confident in saying no. Being confident in making choices. / Higher self-esteem. By giving yourself more self-confidence. You’re less like to fall into it because you’re happy with yourself. By creating self-confidence. / Confidence, honesty, reasonable. You’re able to perform at your best and people know you will handle your responsibilities. You’re able to walk away and say no! Self-esteem will be better.

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

Feliz porque me lo dije a mi misma. / Loving, caring, honest, and mean. / Good, happy. / Happy, safe, good. / Self-conscience. / It gives me confidence and makes me feel like I can be who I am.

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?

Mi mama. Porque siempre me ha dado todo y ella a sido madre y pare para mi. Que sea fuerte y que siempre adelate. / My dad and mom. I drew a key and lock to represent my parents because I wouldn’t be so close to my dad if it weren’t for my mommy. They’re important because they push me to do better. Caringness, lovable, and trust. / Myself. Because I am. Respect, trustworthy, fair. / Spiderman. Because he helps people. Responsible, nice. / My dad. He is important because he’s been there for me whenever I needed him. I look for fairness, courage, and supportiveness. / My mom and dad. They took me out of the pain and the hurt that the world caused me. Caring, strength, faith, hope.

Drawing one’s Fear’s, Hopes and Dreams and Sharing: We all have fears. / We had a lot in common, non-judgmental. To get to know others. Non-judgmental. Helps us to be a better person.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: We can come together. / Confidence, favorite or not, color doesn’t matter. It helps by giving you courage to face your fears.

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 came back to Adobe, I hated the idea and fact but then I realized that this is a good amount of time to sit and think what I really want in life. / Not getting to go home after I got released. / Negative: my niece hitting other little girls. Positive: She’s defending herself. / When I first got arrested I was angry but now I’m happy that got to experience life this way. / I thought coming back was a bad thing but I realized that I actually needed a break from reality. / When I got arrested. At first, I felt like it was the end of the world. But when I actually took the time to think about it, me getting arrested saved my live because of the situations I was in. Getting committed was disappointing but I have learned many things that will help me when I am released. / Una experiencia es estar enserrada porque cando me arrestaron fue muy duro y feo con los meses. Salio algo bueno porque aprendi ingles conoci gente nueva y aprendi una Buena leccion de todo esto. / Leaving home. I grew and became the woman I would have never been who I am today. / When I came back to ADJC I got my GED and developed a lot of techniques. / When I overdosed on Ibuprofen. I wanted to die and I thought it negative that I lived, but now I feel that it was a blessing in disguise.

Funded By: Kemper & Ethel Marley Foundation Location: Adobe Mountain Facility Unit: Dignity %Male 0

%Female 100

Dates: March 17-19, 2015

Ages 14-17

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

Pre %YES 46 %NO 54 %Other 0 Post %YES 85 %NO 15 %Other 0 Rate this statement: You feel comfortable speaking in front of others.

Pre % Not at all 23 % Sometimes 54 % All the Time 23 Post % Not at all 23 % Sometimes 38 % All the Time 38 Rate this statement: I believe I can make my hopes and/or dreams come true.

Pre % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 69 % All the Time 31 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 54 % All the Time 46 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 38 % All the Time 62 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 54 % Leader 46 Have you ever been bullied? % Yes 77 % No 23 Have you ever seen someone being bullied? % Yes 100 % No 0 Did you do anything? % Yes 54 % No 31 % No Answer 15 Did you learn something in the workshop that will help you deal with bullying?

Post % Yes 85 % No 15 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: Stand up. / Stand up for myself. / Teamwork. / I got the power to do things on my own. / To be nonjudgmental. We all have a story. / That if we work together we won’t have to worry about bullying. / To reach out. / How to communicate better and teamwork. / How to face things you’re uncomfortable with.

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: Help them. / Of course, because I care. / Because I wouldn’t want it done to me. / I don’t want to get involved. / I would say something. / Stand by their side. / I would stand up for them. / Reach out. / I would stop it. / I would tell them to stop.

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

Post % Yes 92 % No 8 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: I love myself the way I am. / Respect. / I did this already. / I never base my choices on peer pressure. / Respect. / I am my own boss. / Responsibility. / Respect. / Reach out. / Self-respect. / Respect, responsible.

What do you think about color?

What % gave more thought and shared them about color.

Pre 77% Post 85% Thoughts Shared: Pre: I like it. / I like it. / I really don’t think of it. / It’s pretty. / I think color is beautiful. / Sometimes it looks good on food, other times it doesn’t. / I don’t think about color. / Sometimes it looks good. / Red and black. / Black and white. / I think that color is a beautiful thing that a lot of people take for granted. / It doesn’t matter to me. / Favorite colors pink and brown.

Post: All colors are the same. / It expresses feelings. / It’s beautiful. / Color is everything. / I still don’t care about color. / No judgment. / Color sounds and looks different. / Everything has color. / That everything has a color to define it. / Color is complicated. / I think that music has color. / No me importa el color. / I don’t care about the colors. / There’s no judgment.

My most important hope or dream is. . .

What % gave more thought to their Dreams becoming reality.

Pre 77% Post 92% Thoughts Shared: Pre: To be somebody! / Is to be successful. / I don’t have a dream. / To never leave my kids side again. / I wanna become a coroner. / Is to help my little brothers to achieve their goals and my little sister Zoe. / To be more than what people expect of me. / To become successful in life. / Being a nurse. / I want to be the best I can be. At work, school, and home. / To be successful.

Post: Succeeding. / To stay sober. / My family to be successful. / Become successful. / Is to be successful. / Become successful. / Not yet, but I am thinking about it. / To be successful. / Becoming a registered nurse. / Going home. / To have a successful life. / Llegar a mi casa. / To become a nurse and to get out! / Becoming a nurse and playing sports.

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

Thoughts Shared: Is being patient. / We need to work together. / Dreams do come true. / Being confident. / Focus. / Respect. / We can all come together if we want to. / Never give up. / That if I keep working towards my goal then my dreams can come true. / Reaching out. / Teamwork. / Portandome bien para salir de prison y hacer todos mis grupos. / Is nice working together and have coping skills, being responsible. / Never give up.

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

Post 85% discovered something new in the workshop.

Thoughts Shared: By helping me. / Responsibility and being trustworthy and courageous. / Self esteem told me to look in the mirror every day. Tell myself I love myself. / Being respectful. / I need to focus. / I don’t know. / Trust. I trust my team. / Respect. / It helped me respect my peers and think before I speak. / It didn’t. / It helped me to be more fair, by teaching me what fairness means to me. / Me ayudo a aprender ingles y a conocer mas gente. / To focus. / None honestly.

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

Post 77% discovered something new about classmates or friends in the workshop Thoughts Shared: That we have things in common. / We are all beautiful and worthy. / That they have fears like me. / People have a lot of the same fears. / No. / We have a lot in common. / That she has a fear of losing her freedom now. / Everyone is different. / More people had lost a loved one to suicide than I thought. / Que algunos tienen el mismo sueno. / Some have the same dream or fear. / People have the same fears as me and dreams some do.

Thanks to Kemper & Ethel Marley Foundation, 18 young lives from Adobe Mountain Juvenile Facility Unit: Challenge experienced their Possibilities.

This workshop took place on March 15-19, 2015. - #4 of 15 Opening up possibilities for the young minds of Arizona’s youth for a brighter tomorrow.©

“Bridging Possibility” workshops.

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

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

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

These responses are written in their words without edit.

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

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

Who am I? : We are broken, but with love we’ll begin to fix. It open your mind to let go of extra corruption. It will give you power to prevent corruption and spiritual. It would give us mental strength. / How to communicate, succeed. How to communicate, how to graduate. So you won’t judge people.

More friendly and successful. / Honesty, sharing. Not being shy. Because you don’t know what people are going through. Ignore because I know better.

Through the Hoops: We are all able to get through obstacles no matter how hard. It will help us with unity and bonding. To never give up no matter how people treat you or think of you. Because there are sever obstacles in this life you will face but that exercise teaches how to get through them. / Teamwork, need all your senses, always having obstacles. Teamwork, group assignments. Helping fellow peers through tough situations. In a job being able to cope with intense situations including coworkers and bosses. / Teamwork, non-verbal communication, help others, confidence. Helping each other, fair. Stick up for yourself and others, teamwork. Having faith and confidence, getting through hoops in life, teamwork. / Work together, communication, connecting. Because you have to work with peers. Connect, understanding, learn from others. Talking to others, understanding where people come from.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: That we have a hero we could be a hero to others. Be a role model in school. Are we gonna do something for our family that’s positive or fall under negative peer pressure. Help me to help others to do right. / Religion, people can relate. Being able to cope, better teamwork. Judging people individually. Having a different perspective on individuals. / Proud to be who I am, not wishing to be someone else. Heroes or role models you relate to. Confidence, focus, loyalty. Only one that you need to impress is yourself. Not needing to be dependent on others. / Respect, responsibilities, different heroes. Teachers could be heroes, someone look up to you will help you do better. Have someone to look up to, help avoid peer pressure. Help realize qualities in different people. / What I look forward to in a hero, how I want to motivate and teach others. Because it would be easy to talk about it. Be a better person, build a character.

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

Enlightened, rejoyceful. / Good, successful, like a better person. / Makes me feel good about myself. / It makes me feel good. It’s not every day that you tell yourself that. / Good. / It made me feel good. / Grateful, happy. / I didn’t like it. / It makes me feel better about myself and that I don’t want to be anybody else but myself. / Makes me feel confident. / Makes me feel like I need to shave 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?

Mine is Lil Wayne. Because they helped me as a milestone in my career while gave me a goal. Bravery, artistic, great musician. / Grandad. They have unconditional love and wisdom. Wisdom, strength. / My brother is my hero. Because he’s family and takes care of me. Respectful, caring, and smart. / My hero some one person.

My hero are people who come from similar or worse circumstances as me but are able to climb out of the negativity and crime and do good and be successful. They are important because they are living proof that you do not have to be a product of your environment. That you can become whatever you want in life no matter where you came from. No matter how rough it was you can succeed. Optimism, wisdom, courage, perseverance, discipline, integrity, respect, honesty and a desire to help and educate others. / My step dad.

Because I love him and he loves me. Mentally strong and smart and don’t judge the people. / My cousin is my hero because he taught me a lot of things. Because he served this country. Responsibility, wisdom, respect. / Because they could help me by choosing new people. / Lamont King. My hero is Lamont King. He is important because he has knowledge and super speed. Knowledge and super speed. / My mom. Because she’s very strong and has always had strong morals and extremely straightforward but also kind and loving. Honesty, trust, strength, courage, caring, helpful, empathetic. / God he helps me in my time of need. Guidance. / My older brother Danny Reyes. Because it’s someone to look up to and I would want to follow in their footsteps. I look for trustworthiness and someone you can rely on and someone who wants you to do better and is a mentor. He has to be a hard worker and love his family. / Because they’re awesome to give. Give back. / It’s not exactly what I picture but I’m not that good at drawing so yeah. It’s suppoed to be a happy and successful businessman with wisdom, power, and wealth, and he is also a pro boxer. My hero is important because he represents what I want to be in the future. Wisdom, wealth, power, physically fit, manly, good hearted. / My father. He is someone who is close to me and I can look up to. Wise, successful life, close relationship with. / Donald Trump. They are successful. Honesty, boldness, successful.

Seeing Beyond: Perception, patience, teamwork, communication. Math, you need to be patient in it.

Teamwork to help solve problems. It will allow you to be peaceful and influence others positively. / Patience, imagination, senses, perception, memory, trust, teamwork. Working with others students, art, language arts (descriptive writing), all subjects and in life. Teamwork, perseverance, patience. / Teamwork, patience, discussing. Patience for test when people are bullying. Faith, hope, trustworthiness, honesty, observation, pride, instincts, positive attitude, driven. With patience, influence, participants. / Description, patience, perseverance, active listening, imagination with your

senses. Art for creativity, science and math problem solving, English – making your words do imagery.

Be able to work with others. Handle situations easier and be able to communicate.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: Bonding, unity, communication, background perspective, respect. It would allow you to truly understand our worth to your full potential. Because it would allow you save lives. Yourself and family. / Patience, teamwork. With classmates. Everywhere. / How to turn negative situations to positive situations. How to make wrong answers to right answers. Help turn your life around. / Presenting and learning from how your mistakes can help you in the end. Being able to correct.

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 first came to jail I saw it as bad but I learned a lot while I’ve been in here. / When I was on the run and turned myself in. / When I first got told about politics, my initial response was that nothing good could come out of it, then I realized that if everything went well and people knew how to respect everything it could be a great benefit. / When I was in the 9th grade, I hated everything about school, but eventually when I hit the 10th grade I started to like and enjoy school and started learning and listening. / When my mom didn’t let me did what I wanted to do I would get mad at her. But I know why she wouldn’t let me do what I wanted to do was because I wasn’t old enough yet to make my own decisions yet. / My mom didn’t let me smoke in my room because of my lil sisters in the house. / Cuando entre en la carsel pense que iba a morir per los pare. / I experienced something bad then it turned out to be good. / I used to think being in jail was negative until I understood that at the end it will be a positive in my life. / When I was in jail kind of made me appreciate the little things and straightened me up for a bit. / Coming here I thought was negative because I had wanted to be with my family but I was told that they had treatment and opportunities and I thought of it as a positive. / Coming here at first I prayed not to be now it was the best possible outcome. It saved me from prison or worse. / When my brother left to the Army I was hurt because he would be away for years but then I realized it was his dream and he could still go to college. / When my mother didn’t want me to go outside because she had a gut feeling something bad was gonna happen and I got shot at. / When I went to Adobe Mountain. / When me and my girl at the time went on the run and I was using a large proportion of heroin and ended up meeting some of my friends family around Thanksgiving in 2013 and was clean off heroin for a while and when probation found me I was clean and had no drugs in my system. / I was hurt when I first started getting in to trouble with the law because I saw how much it hurt my mom. I knew she was very disappointed. I didn’t want me to be like my dad. / When I became homeless three years ago, but after meeting Lil Bro I realize it was a gift and an opportunity. It shows me who I really am and what’s important to me. First thought I was depressed and alone.

Helpless, but knowing I was doing this for a greater cause and I want give up on my destiny, while after meeting and living with Lil Bro, I understand that it’s a prophecy that I will be the best rapper alive and save the world and my family with my music.

Yes/No: Bonding, unity, respectful of others background. It would allow an open mind and a bright heart. You could really use your heart to fight back corruption. Just by what people say and what the world throws at you, you keep on truckin. / Being able to move past obstacles. Keep moving forward.

Making independent decisions. Becoming stronger mentally. / Communicating, success. Making friends, graduate. Positive self-talk. Job interviews, school, public speaking. / Learn to be patient to focus. Attend to you. To be driven, follow though, get work alone no negative threats. Better choices.

Get stronger.

Funded By: Kemper & Ethel Marley Foundation Dates: March 17-19, 2015 Location: Adobe Mountain Facility Unit: Challenge %Male 100

%Female 0

Ages 13-17

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

Pre %YES 74 %NO 296 %Other 0 Post %YES 79 %NO 16 %Other 5 Rate this statement: You feel comfortable speaking in front of others.

Pre % Not at all 5 % Sometimes 63 % All the Time 32 Post % Not at all 5 % Sometimes 58 % All the Time 37 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 5 % Sometimes 21 % All the Time 74 Rate this statement: I respect my own decisions even when dealing with peer pressure.

Pre % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 50 % All the Time 50 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 37 % All the Time 63 Complete this statement: I am trustworthy and see myself as a __. Follower, Equal, Leader Pre % Follower 5 % Equal 26 % Leader 69 Post % Follower 5 % Equal 10 % Leader 85 Have you ever been bullied? % Yes 37 % No 63 Have you ever seen someone being bullied? % Yes 90 % No 10 Did you do anything? % Yes 37 % No 47 % No Answer 16 Did you learn something in the workshop that will help you deal with bullying?

Post % Yes 89 % No 11 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: Always be the bigger person. / Respect others. / To become a better person. / Understanding and experiences in others. Communicating. / That I need to speak up and fight against it. / I learned to cope. / Make friends out of both of them. / Teamwork. / Being respectful. / How to work with others. / Communication. / I already knew. / Because it’s not cool. / Ayudar a otros.

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

Post % Yes 90 % No 5 % No Answer 5 Thoughts Shared: Stick up for them and guide them what to do. / I would help out and stop it. / It’s not right. / Maybe, most likely, yes. / Because that’s not right. / I would stop the bully. / I would connect with both of them and make them friends. / I would stop it. / Ask them to stop. / Stop that person. / I wouldn’t want someone to watch it happen to me. / Sometimes because some people bring it on themselves. / I would stand up to the bully. / Because that’s sad. / Ayudar a defenderse.

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

Post % Yes 84 % No 11 % No Answer 5 Thoughts Shared: Always make decisions. / Follow watch want. / Everyone deserves it. / I can be better than this. / Because I’m independent and others can’t control my decisions. / I learned to think twice. / Because I truly decided that everyone wants the same goal so I will express mine different and honest. / I now will respect my decisions. / To think first. / I can do anything that I put my mind to it. / I already knew it. I’ve don’t a lot of workshops and treatment. / Have confidence. / Respect yes because with that, I will have people around me. / Pasiensia.

What do you think about color?

What % gave more thought and shared them about color.

Pre 58% Post 84% Thoughts Shared: Pre: No. / Colors don’t mean nothing. / I’ve never thought about it. / I am a white Mexican!!! / Different ethnicities. / Race. / Money. / I like color because it’s all around. / My favorite colors are black, red, dark blue, dark green, white, and purple. / It is beautiful to have a lot of color. Blue is awesome. / I don’t really think about color too often but when I do, I am usually fascinated by all of the colors in the world. / My favorite color is blue. / Yes, I like all of them. / I believe all people, no matter what race, are equal. / Color affects the inner most feeling and spiritual involvement. / No because colors are colors.

Post: That life is full of different colors. / It doesn’t matter what color. / Don’t judge. / It’s a part of emotion. / Color is all around us and that they create many things. / Color is very important. / That it’s a form of bonding and unity allows expression and explanation. / I like painting. / Cool. / Color is not just a color, it’s also about life. / Color is just a color. / I think I like it. / That you can change it if you mix them. / Nothing new. I was in art class. / Color is an expression. A way of communication. / That every color means mood. / Nothing I’m not into colors at all. / Pues aprendi que todo se puede.

My most important hope or dream is. . .

What % gave more thought to their Dreams becoming reality.

Pre 84% Post 100% Thoughts Shared: Pre: Run a large company. / To finish high school and to be a welder when I get older. / Being a better role model to my nephew. / Taking care of my family. / To being successful. / To go to college for medical, then play football also. / Firefighter. / My most important dream. / Stay out of prison and go to college. / To make my mom proud. / My most important hope or dream is to become wise, educated, and a professional boxer, which will lead to wealth. / My most important dream is to become a rapper. / Join the Marines. / To become a nuclear physicist. / To become the best god rapper alive, save the world and my brothers. / Is to get out of here and take care of my kid and mom and brothers and sisters. / Make it in music.

Post: To take care of my family and be successful. / Being known. / Music greatest artist. / To make my mom proud. / To get out of here and be with my family and become an animator or writer. / Take care of my family. / To save the world through my music. To be remembered as a god. The best rapper alive. / Start company. / Do good. / To accomplish my goals and be successful. / Become a fire fighter. / To go home. / To become a famous rapper. / To play football or soccer at a community college and university while I’m going to school for medical. / College, be successful. / Joining the military. / To become a basketball player for the Phoenix Suns. / Ser chef.

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

Thoughts Shared: Just keep believing in myself no matter what happens in life. / Follow whatcha believe in. / Don’t give up on your dreams. / Not being so negative. / Communication and aspiration. / Keep moving forward. / That I am a leader and I’m ready to lead my people. We will accomplish greatness. / Teamwork. / Know when to walk away. / To never give up no matter what happens. / Perseverance. / Patience. / Stay in school, be respectful and keep going for what you want. / Never give up. / Others can be helpful. / Set goals. / Is respect others and myself. / Pasiensia.

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

Post 84% discovered something in the workshop to improve their Character Count.

Thoughts Shared: Teamwork. / To learn more about responsibilities. / Respect others opinions. / Yes. / Citizenship and responsibility. / Caring, hearing someone else’s story. / Patience, endurance.

I figured out I must have patience when attempting to help people. / Helped my character. / By showing me how to handle those things. / Respect. You helped by helping me understand others. / Respect. Taught me that all people deserve respect even though they may not get it. / Being respectful. / Patience and it taught me to be more patient. / Not sure. / By helping me set goals. / We all have hard times in our life. / A ser las cosas mejor.

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: That we all have at least one thing in common. / To work with a partner. / Don’t judge others. / Their past and ability to talk and just a little more. / That we all went through struggles. / We’ve been through a lot. / That they all have struggles and want the star factor but they fight for it or get defensive. / They aren’t very different. / That some of us have been through some crazy stuff. / Everyone is different. / that friendship is good. / That they all have something in common with me. / That everyone has one thing in common. / That some of us have had similar experiences. / That they all have fears. / That they have positive mindset. / Todos tenemos miedos.

®

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

Thanks to Kemper & Ethel Marley Foundation, 11 young lives from Adobe Mountain Juvenile Facility Unit: Triumph experienced their Possibilities.

This workshop took place on May 5-7, 2015. - #5 of 15 Opening up possibilities for the young minds of Arizona’s youth for a brighter tomorrow.©

“Bridging Possibility” workshops.

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

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

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

These responses are written in their words without edit.

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

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

Who am I? : To be non-judgmental. You give people chances in school. Cause you give chances instead of assuming. You learn to give chances. / Perception and bonding. Helps you connect teachers and peers. Lowers false judgment. Learn to be open-minded. / Learn more about people. It will help the criticism become lower. If know people, it will prevent less stereotyping. It helps you work better with people. It will make you feel better in the inside of heart. / Fear, teamwork, courage. Stop people bullying need courage. That first impressions is stereotyping. It will teach me not to stereotype.

Creative Storytelling: Imagination and perspectives. Being open-minded and thinking outside the box. / We learned how to work as a team. If you work together, we can get a lot more done. If you work as a team they won’t be no one to be bullied. Working at a job easier, concentration with new activities. / Surprised at people opening up. I have to open up to people. You could speak up to the bully. I will be a person who stand up for good things.

Through the Hoops: Teamwork makes your dream work. It can help you to connect and work together. It can help a victim and bully connect and go through hoops. It allows you to group upand accomplish bigger dreams and reach higher heights. / Concentration, teamwork. Teamwork will help prevent less bullying. It will help people be more productive by working together. / That it’s hard. That it may be hard, but it’s something we have to go through. That it may be hard to stop. That it’s something we have to go through and apply in life.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: Comparison and development, positive self-talk. It will allow you to keep the morals and enforce them in your school life. It will allow you to truly hold your self down and mental strength in stress. It will allow me to realize how close I’ve become to him and how close will I surpass him. / Role models. It help other kids to look to someone. You will be your own leader and not a follower. If your own leader, you can lead yourself to great things in your life. / Courage, teamwork in groups, how to work together. In school you need to work together. You can help him not feel pressured. In life you need to work together.

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 respectful and full of hope. / Makes me feel blessed that I could look up to someone like myself. / Good, cool. / Helps me realize the truth of TT and who he is and what he lived for. Makes me feel astonished to look at myself. / More confident and proud of myself.

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

Antonio Gates. They came from the ghetto, did something good with their life. / Russell Westbrook. I think they are important because they are a good role model. respectness. / Brother. For me he is always there. Cause he never does bad. / Because at the start of it, it was him who gave me my music and help me take it to a higher level. Brave, trust to themselves, love those who truly show their family, a savior. / My hero is myself because I’ve been through a lot worse things that most people here and people here have been through worse than most other people and I still have a positive outlook and am very smart and full of potential. Pretty much the six pillars of character. / Army.

Seeing Beyond: Using memory and identifying. Math because you have to remember formulas. A strong mind. / Patience, teamwork, learning how to ask descriptive questions. Math – teacher are asking to show your work – it’s just like descriptive describes. The better we describe, the better the person will understand the aspect of what we’re trying to say. / I learned how to describe when I can’t see them. In vocational classes like learning things in math class. I can be more descriptive.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: Stop and think. To avoid fights and other problems. To be able to evaluate a situation to the fullest. / To turn lemons into lemonade. It allows to deal with negative problem and turn them into positives. It allows you to turn situations around. / Using complete honesty from deep inside – heart and mind. Using this skill will help you get some your work done. It help you look on bright sides of things. Help that there’s more out there. / I learned how to make a bad thing a good thing. When I have a problem in school I can make it good. When I have bad days I can turn it into a good day 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 came to Adobe, it taught me to control myself and deal with people. / When I came to Adobe, but it came out to be a good thing because I learned a lot and it taught me how to control my anger. / . opened my eyes to wanting to be successful. For example, joining the Navy Seals. / When I came to Adobe got my Stage 2. I learned coping skills. If I hadn’t came, I would have never learned anything. / When I seen as negative was whet unn I first became homeless and had to drop out of school, only because it all fall out into place which was unexpecting but inevitable. At first I felt a little redundant and nervous but then I just began living and then many roads open and I found my true destiny, the glory road. / When I came to Adobe, but I learned stuff from here that can help me into life. / Coming to Adobe, I thought it was like going to prison and that I would hate it. It is better than detention and a lot better than I thought. I am going to graduate and take two or more vocational classes, which I would not have done had I not come here.

Yes/No: It helps me put facts together and use them. Help take guesses and chances. It can help you to think of a possible solution. To become a man so I can make my own decisions.

Funded By: Kemper & Ethel Marley Foundation Location: Adobe Mountain Facility Unit: Triumph %Male 100

%Female 0

Dates: May 5-7, 2015

Ages 15-17

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

Pre %YES 55 %NO 36 %Other 9 Post %YES 55 %NO 45 %Other 0 Rate this statement: You feel comfortable speaking in front of others.

Pre % Not at all 18 % Sometimes 55 % All the Time 27 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 36 % All the Time 64 Rate this statement: I believe I can make my hopes and/or dreams come true.

Pre % Not at all 9 % Sometimes 18 % All the Time 73 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 18 % All the Time 82 Rate this statement: I respect my own decisions even when dealing with peer pressure.

Pre % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 45 % All the Time 55 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 55 % All the Time 45 Complete this statement: I am trustworthy and see myself as a __. Follower, Equal, Leader Pre % Follower 0 % Equal 27 % Leader 73 Post % Follower 0 % Equal 18 % Leader 82 Have you ever been bullied? % Yes 55 % No 45 Have you ever seen someone being bullied? % Yes 91 % No 9 Did you do anything? % Yes 55 % No 27 % No Answer 18 Did you learn something in the workshop that will help you deal with bullying?

Post % Yes 82 % No 18 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: Yes always to me in everyone needs someone. / Yes I learned to help. / How to evaluate a situation. / Release fear. / I’ve done it before as well as other workshops but I’m sure others did. / To be patient. / Sticking up for people. / Helping people. / I learn I could speak up if I want to.

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: Make them both besties. / I will stop it. / I would confront the bullies. / Yes. / I do not approve of bullying and I stand up for my beliefs. / I would tell someone. / I’ll fight for that person. / I would stop it. / It’s none of my business.

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

Post % Yes 73 % No 27 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: Everyone goes through it. / Coping with my fear. / I learned how to respect my own decisions regardless of other people. / Respect. / I have already mastered that. / Stick up for myself. / Turn negative to positives. / People have a lot of problems with pressure.

What do you think about color?

What % gave more thought and shared them about color.

Pre 64% Post 100% Thoughts Shared: Pre: Life’s greatest view. / I have never thought about color. / I love colors. / I am not racist. / It’s a representation of emotion and unity. / It’s bright and makes things look nicer. / Color isn’t in my vocabulary. / I don’t think of color. / In regards to skin color I think it is overrated; we are all human.

And in regards to just color, it is an expression of your personality. / IDK color purple purity. / I think colors are beautiful. / IDK, I’m not racist. / Nothing. / I think about gangs and racism. / N/A. Post: That it is unity and music fuels it. / Still I love it. / I think of color as music and feelings. / It defines things. / I still feel the same but there are good lessons to be learned. / That you can see stuff in paintings. / They can mean different things. / That colors are beautiful. / Everything. / It is bright and it’s cool. / That it has tone.

My most important hope or dream is. . .

What % gave more thought to their Dreams becoming reality.

Pre 73% Post 100% Thoughts Shared: Pre: Be successful and avoid prison. / Is to be a paramedic. / Become a basketball player. / Is to become a herpetologist. / My dream is to go to Rio. / To be able to full transcend as a god and as the best rapper alive. / To get out of Adobe. / Hope to go to college. / To become psychiatrist. / Graduate college for engineering mechanical electrical or information technology or automotive industries. / None. / Join the military (Navy Seals). / IDK. / To be a successful. / Is to become an auto mechanic. / Graduate high school.

Post: To become a god and have the world worship me. / To become a herpetologist. / To become the biggest and best auto mechanic chain. / Be a tight end. / To prove others wrong; that I can be successful and that I will not be a statistic. / To go to Rio. / Come a basketball player. / To join the military. / To be a rapper. / To get out of Adobe. / To learn myself so I can achieve my dreams.

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

Thoughts Shared: The love from the people and music. / Peer pressure in school avoiding. / Is reflective thinking. / To be positive and be driven. / I learned to be tolerant of others even when I do not want to. / Is teamwork so I won’t fall behind. / Believed in myself. / Never give up. / To be myself. / I need to be more descriptive about my problems. / Help and hope in my future.

The Character Count 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: Is caring, respect even those who hate me. / Respect because I was taught better. / It is trustworthiness. I am not sure. / To be positive and listen other stories. / Citizenship. It gave me more practice and that is the best way to get better. / Respect people, everybody. / To do teamwork even with people I don’t like to work with. / Respect, responsibility, accountability, observe/listen, so I will be ready for the military. / Citizenship not commit crimes. / I learned how I don’t fear anyone like most people do. / Fairness so I can show everything in a fair way.

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: That we all had same problems. / That I’m flexible. / I learned that another classmate likes the blues. / Yes, they’re cool and open. / That we share some similar experiences. / I learned teamwork from my classmates. / Teamwork they love teamwork. / Similar things that happened to them, happened to me. / They got shot at. / They are good painters. / Nothing not now but maybe in the future.

Thanks to Kemper & Ethel Marley Foundation, 21 young lives from Adobe Mountain Juvenile Facility Unit: Challenge experienced their Possibilities.

This workshop took place on May 5-7, 2015. -#6 of 15 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 12-17.

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

Who am I? : To be responsible, not to be scared to open up and respect others. It will help you do homework and help your counselor and teachers get to know you better. You will have respect for people and won’t judge until you get to know them. It will make me a better people person. / Separate thinking, perspectives, aspects, be open. Respect people’s disabilities. Everyone has the same problems despite color. It would build to open your mind and not be self-centered. / Respect peers thoughts and courage, being responsible for your actions, be open. Give and get respect. If you’re responsible, the teacher will see that. Give respect and no stereotyping will be involved. They will take you further in life. / Brave, respect, honesty, thoughtful, listening. Participate effectively. Think before act and become smarter thinker. Mature, leader, smarter.

Creative Storytelling: We learned that there’s a lot of character that we can apply to our life to change not just us, but help others. We will know what trait to use in situation. If kids have character trait in their life, they will know how to handle things. By making me wiser and understand others. / Participation, easier said than done. To listen and care for what is said and done by others. It would help prevent it by standing up for others. Showing caring, fairness. Help being a stronger person to be aware of the bad and do good. / Being creative, more people are going to want to participate. More kids pay attention and do better and enjoy it. They would enjoy school and have no need to bully. Give

you confidence and help you be more creative in several aspects. / Courage, respect, acting, humor, participation, citizenship, teamwork. Being able to be social and friends and to make fun and exciting.

Keep everyone involved, no one left out. Teamwork! Make leadership to do the right things, having fun, enjoy education purposes.

Through the Hoops: Teamwork, communication, understanding, cooperation, integrity. Keep us focus, giving us skills to be able to communicate better. It will benefit the bully to cope with his problems. It will help you to be able to cooperate with others. / Teamwork, strategy, communication skills. Communicate with teachers, problem solving. Handle problems different ways. Help communicate with others. / Communication, strategy. You have to communicate to learn and also have strategy to improve. People will get better relationships with people. To get further in life and get great jobs. / Puzzlement, teamwork, strategy, and patience. Learn to cooperate with other people and being able to get things done. You would better understand others and literally know what they’re going through. Learn to go through teamwork for any situation.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: To have self-esteem, self-motivation, courage, respect. Feel more confident and self-esteem in self. You will have confidence for yourself. A stronger person and self-esteem. / How to appreciate others. More humble, not self-centered. It would help think before act. Teach vulnerabilities. / Respect, courage, honesty. Build better relationships with everyone. If they respect you, they won’t peer pressure you. Help you be a better person. / To better appreciate yourself for the way you are. To feel good around others and gain more abilities. It would help accept the way you want things you want it to be. It can help us be comfortable in many smooth and rough situations.

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

Good. / It makes me feel good and motivated. / Disappointed, embarrassed, and like I need acne cream. / It made me feel compassionate but yet embarrassing. / I feel real good. / Bien, motivado. / It makes me feel like I’m important. / It makes me feel confident. / Proud, happy, makes me feel like I’m somebody. / Makes me feel good. / Good. / It made me feel good about myself. / 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?

Fire fighter. They save lives and help everyone. Helpful, proud, courageous. / Adam Sandler. Because I want to be famous like that and want to see how he made it. Respect, honesty, motivated, social. / My brother Ryan.

He’s got a big heart, caring, and protective of me and my family. Protective, caring, someone who won’t give up on you. / I believe Jesus is important because he is my God and savior. I look for the strength, wisdom, caring, and love that god has for us. / D. Rose. Because they show you what the right thing in life is and how to carry yourself. Strength, perseverance, honesty. / Porque es alguien famoso. Respeto, amalibidad. / Michael Jordan. He’s been my hero since day one. He has amazing quotes and is a great basketball player. He inspires a lot of people in this world. Courageous, respectful, smart, outgoing, humorous. / Jesus Christ. He is my hero because he is literally a hero and he sacrificed his life for us. Because he died in the cross for all of us. I look for sacrifice, heroicship, and worthiness. / My mother. My mom is my hero. I believe she is a strong working mother and she try her hardest to make her and her kids life better. She inspires me and I want to be the kind of person she is. Strong-minded, and strong-willed. Mature, responsible, respectful, courageous, outgoing, strong, smart. / The Lord. He helps me keep my life straight and in order. I would look for honesty, faithful, trustworthy. / Uncle. Because he’s always there for me. I don’t know. / I don’t have a hero. I have a role model. It’s my brother Elvis. Because they’ve been through a lot and he’s successful. He’s happy, he has 2 jobs. One at BMW and also he just moved out with his wife. Honesty, humble, determined, respectful, driven. / Dad. Because he always there for me. I don’t know.

Seeing Beyond: Problem solving, attention to detail, good understanding. Math because you have to pay a lot of attention what is being said and problem solving. You will be able to circumvent problems effectively. / Trustworthiness. To trust your sources. Teach one to open their minds with simple instructions. / How to cope in situations and work with others you may not like. Some kids you may not like you will have a skill to interact positively. Help you through hard situations. / Trustworthiness, imagination, 5 senses, creative. Art, music, being creative. It would build character in life by having trust, being creative, and having fun and sense of humor.

Drawing one’s Fear’s, Hopes and Dreams and Sharing: To have self-confidence, never give up, have passion in what you do. You will be able to overcome your obstacles in school. The bully will be able to cope with what bothers him. You will be a self-confident person. / To let someone know how I feel. When I don’t know what to do. By letting school officials know. By role modeling and building confidence. / To reassure the positives in life and to be more confident in our hopes and dreams. It can help us pursue our career.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: We learned not to assume the worst, have patience. I will take more time with my work. I will be able to cope with a lot of people in the real world. / To interact and speak/act publicly. To multi-task. Sports, school. It would teach to meet new people. / People can be grateful and thankful for the things even if they’re in bad situations. You can learn the outcome of many things. To have a different perspective in life and not be a negative Nancy, be a positive Peter.

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 got locked up. After I got out it made me realize I shouldn’t do the things I did. / I was fighting a lot but after I realized I was not doing the right things by fighting all the time. Good about not fighting all the time. / Had a baby so young. Felt good but under a lot of pressure now and motivated. / Coming to Adobe, I was angry and upset but now I see it that it’s a good opportunity for me education wise and also I can learn a lot more skills and things I can use in life. / When I went to jail then realized later that it was a good thing. / The time was when I got sent to Adobe. I was upset then I saw it was a positive to fix myself and now I’m motivated. / I thought coming to Adobe would be bad but I realize now I can only benefit from this place. / A time for me is when I was in Sycamore Canyon Academy. / When I thought my mom was just taking my brothers shopping but bought me clothes too. / I thought when my group was leaving to go get ice cream and I thought I wasn’t going to get any but I got some when they got back. / I that my PO was trying to drug test me but instead she just came to tell me good job. / I seen trash on the floor and picked it up and afterward felt good that I was doing a good deed. Good, I felt even better. / We went out shopping and my brothers got ice cream. I thought he was not going to get me none but he was joking and bought me some. / When I went to juvie for the first time. I first got there and was like man I’m done but I found out all of the extra programs they had and was really there to help us. / When I went to juvie and they said it was a treatment center. / Currently I’m institutionalized in a gated community, but I’m taking everything I can from it. I’m going to make the best out of the worst. / El momento en el que me meti este problema con la ley pero mi future es sacar adelante a mi familia. / The time I saw something was negative I thought it was when I got committed to here but I knew I would make a change. / I was doing drugs and crashed into a car. I was arrested, therefore I was able to get clean in jail. At first bad, then good about the situation.

®

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

Funded By: Kemper & Ethel Marley Foundation Location: Adobe Mountain Facility Unit: Challenge %Male 100

%Female 0

Dates: May 5-9, 2015

Ages 12-17

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

Pre %YES 69 %NO 33 %Other 0 Post %YES 90 %NO 10 %Other 0 Rate this statement: You feel comfortable speaking in front of others.

Pre % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 67 % All the Time 33 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 67 % All the Time 33 Rate this statement: I believe I can make my hopes and/or dreams come true.

Pre % Not at all 10 % Sometimes 5 % All the Time 85 Post % Not at all 5 % Sometimes 5 % All the Time 90 Rate this statement: I respect my own decisions even when dealing with peer pressure.

Pre % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 43 % All the Time 57 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 33 % All the Time 67 Complete this statement: I am trustworthy and see myself as a __. Follower, Equal, Leader Pre % Follower 0 % Equal 57 % Leader 43 Post % Follower 5 % Equal 57 % Leader 38 Have you ever been bullied? % Yes 38 % No 62 Have you ever seen someone being bullied? % Yes 81 % No 19 Did you do anything? % Yes 48 % No 42 % No Answer 10 Did you learn something in the workshop that will help you deal with bullying?

Post % Yes 86 % No 14 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: Respeto, disciplina. / Sometimes I feel it once but everytime. / Ignore and walk away. / Cause I can stand up against it. / You can speak up. / That I can talk to the bully about what go on with me. / Si das respeto, ganas respeto. / To stop it when I see it. / To speak out. / I learned if you’re caring, you won’t bully. / Stand up, speak, trust. / Everyone should get along. / Respect. / I can respect everyone equal. / Cope with others. / To stick up for people getting bullied.

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

Post % Yes 95 % No 5 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: I will defend the victim respectfully. / Everyone should be equal. / I would stand up for others. / Because it’s not fair to let your anger out on others. / Si porque me iba a sentir mas si no hacia algo. / I would get someone and stop in ASAP. / I would stand up for that person. / Yes because I would feel guilty if I didn’t. / I would do all my capability to stop it. / I would help because bullying isn’t right. / I learned to respect everyone. / I would tell the bully stop. / Tell an adult and help defend him. / Si envealidas. / No one deserves to be bullied or picked on.

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

Post % Yes 95 % No 5 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: To be my own person. / Stay away from old friends. / I learned respect. / I’m living life now, aren’t I? / To have self confidence in myself. / Si porque necesito ser bueno. / Speaking in a group. / Being my own person. / Yes because you need to do good for yourself. / I learned that sometimes you have to do something you don’t want to do to succeed. / Have more confidence. / I learned to be my own person. / If you have responsibility you won’t. / Respecting yourself gives you great decisions. / To have integrity to make your own choices.

What do you think about color?

What % gave more thought and shared them about color.

Pre 38% Post 81% Thoughts Shared: Pre: Color blue. / Green and purple. / No. / No. / I never have thought about it. / No because it doesn’t matter to me. / No. / No. / Never thought about it. / It helps people express themselves. / It cool. / No, I’ve never thought about color. / I don’t care about color. / No pues todos somos iguales, no importa el color. / I believe it’s not okay to discriminate people by their color. / Pues nada los mira igual poque somos seres humanos. / I think without color, things would be boring. / No. / No. / Yea I like different one.

Post: That color is beautiful. / Life would be boring without color. / Nothing new. / It still a good thing. / What good and bad favorite colors. / Helps express us. / It can make things stand out a lot more. / I learned that you can express yourself with color. / Aprendi que colores se pueder expresar. / Not really anything. / Green. / I learned that colors can express you. / I believe color is very important. / Black – everyone is equal. / Color expresses mood. / I see no color. / Never thought about it. / That color is beautiful. / Nothing all same and equal.

My most important hope or dream is. . .

What % gave more thought to their Dreams becoming reality.

Pre 100% Post 95% Thoughts Shared: Pre: Most important dream is playing football. / To own a chain of barbershops. / Is to play basketball for U of A. / Go to college. / It is to graduate and be a barber. / Being in NBA. / To make my mom happy because I’m doing better for myself. / To leave successfully (hope). / I hope to successfully get out of here and have enough motivation. / To become a medical assistant. / Fire fighter. / Graduate. / Have a successful career and a family. / To get cops off my back. / Trabajaran una parte importante y estudiar. / To go and finish college. Live happy and successful life. / Poder sacar a mi familia adelante y ser alguien en la vida. / Graduate, stay out of trouble. / Terminar mis estudios. / To get my high school diploma. / To get out of Adobe.

Post: To own a car. / Not be a failure, be successful in life. / Surviving. / Graduate college. / Landscape designer. / Fire fighting. / To be an architect and have a family. / Is to go to the NBA. / Ser solidad. / Owning a shop. / To be successful. / My most important dream is to get high school diploma and be engineer. / My most important dream is to have a family and have a great career. / Starting a family. / To be a cop. / To be a barber, good family, leader. / Hope. If you have hope, you’ll have a dream. / Mi familia. / Going back with my family. / Have a family and a successful career.

One thing I learned in workshop that will help me reach my dream is: Post 95% discovered something new in the workshop.

Thoughts Shared: Be respectful and motivated. / Communication skills. / Nothing but everything. / Patience, by sitting in the workshop. / Never try or give up. / Being aware when people are talking. / To pursue my dream no matter my emotion. / Is to always have hope. / Expresarme. / Character counts. / Is to never give up on something even through rough times. / Anything is possible to reach my goal. / Working with others. / To be open and responsible. / To help people you don’t like. / Coping with others and responsibility. / Responsibilidad, la comunicacion. / Being caring. / That I proud of myself that I am something.

The Character Count 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: Responsibility. Yes, learned ways to deal with things. / None. / More thinking bout difference. / Respect, involvement. / Fairness – give the whole group chips. / Respect by listening to everyone. / I need to be a lot more responsible. I am gonna do it by being more mature. / I learned that I can choose the world. / Aprender a dibujar. / Responsibility. / Soto has a brother named Anthony. / Be caring. / Motivated, the workshop helped because all activities we did. / I would like to complete all of them. This organization has helped me greatly. / Speaking in front of others. / To be more responsible and by being responsible for my team. / I want to work on respect.

Showed me how to respect everyone. / Responsibility. They showed me if I am responsible, I can count on myself. / Respeto communication en diferentes pensamientos de los demas. / Responsibility – doing homework 3 days. / Respect. Treat everyone as an equal.

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: Israel has a son. / I’m not sure. / Cool the feelings mutual. / Respect. / Everyone has unique characteristics. / That a lot of them are afraid of death. / That we all pretty much have the same fear. / That others are easier to learn. / El respeto respetando a los demas. / That we all relate in a way. / You can help each other for everything teamwork. / Everyone thinks different. We all are not perfect. / Working with others is good. / About what they’ve been through. / They need to be treated same as you. / We can all get along. / Su diferente aspect de pensar. / How to care for others. / That everyone goes through similar things I do.

®

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

Thanks to Kemper & Ethel Marley Foundation, 11 young lives from Larry Kennedy School experienced their Possibilities.

This workshop took place on May 12-14, 2015. -#7 of 15 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 11-12.

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

Who am I? : Learning life lessons, be outgoing. Not judging people, remember what you are taught.

Learning about their lives. Prevent problems that learned from. / Don’t judge its book by its cover.

Choosing your friends. Things we don’t know about. More respectful. / About people stereotypes. To respect other people stereotypes. By not judging other people. By not doing this and making new friends. / Don’t judge a book by its cover. Because it’s a book. We use books in school. We didn’t know what people were like before they stepped forward.

Creative Storytelling: Good character, teamwork. Make you comfortable around people. Prevent bullying because of citizenship. Teach you how to be a leader. / Teamwork. Show that you are a good student. Help stand up for other in bullying. To be a better person. / Using teamwork can help accomplish. When your project, everyone can get effort by their teammates. Stand up by others.

When you’re by your job. / Teamwork. When we break into groups. Get together to stop bully. It will help us in a different situation.

Through the Hoops: Teamwork. Makes games easier. / Teamwork. Could help us in sports, studies. Help them when needed. This will help in life when having rough times in jobs or other lifecycles. / Skills learned was teamwork. It would apply in school because you can include everyone.

It helps bullying because the friends that are being bullied can help. It can teach a lesson. / Teamwork. Standing up to a bully. It would apply in your work Reflective Take Away Assignment: Our dreams, fears, and memories. By accomplish and facing it.

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

Uncomfortable. / It make me feel like someone else. / Nothing, proud. / It makes me feel creeped out. / Happy, awesome, and confident. / Proud. / It makes me feel special because no one is perfect. / It makes me feel better. / I feel happy when I look in the mirror because I’m handsome. / I feel good to be alive and grateful. / I don’t feel anything. / It makes me feel uncomfortable and like I’m almost.

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?

Superman. They are the best hero and they help. Trustworthiness. / My hero is Demi Lovato. She express her feelings. To be like her, to be a successful girl. / My mom. Because she helps me get through rough times and she gives me advice. Positive and knowing they’ve been through it. / My teacher. / My parents. Because I love them. I’ll look for their feelings. / Batman. He help me by being brave. I really don’t know (positive). / My hero is Spiderman and because he’s just a really wonderful person. He’s important because he saves people and he’s an amazing Spiderman. Trustworthiness. / Because they save lives. Trustworthiness. / Michael Jordan. Because he got me into basketball and my dad. Talent. / My mom is my hero. Because they will be there for me when I need them. I look for a grateful person to help me when needed. / It is because he is a inspiration for me. Someone who I wanna be when I go up.

Drawing one’s Fear’s, Hopes and Dreams and Sharing: That we use our least color cause it may never come true. It could help you think about you want to be when you grow up. You can know what they are. It could help me think. / We all have same fear or different fears. This can apply in school by helping people who have a fear and you are not afraid of it. Standing up to the bully with your none fear. Helping people when you are needed and with no fear. / Drawing and saying our dreams, fears, and memories. By facing our fears and other hopes. By standing up to bully. / To not judge people.

®

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

Funded By: Kemper & Ethel Marley Foundation Location: Larry Kennedy School %Male 55

%Female 45

Dates: May 12-14, 2015

Ages 11-12

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

Pre %YES 55 %NO 36 %Other 9 Post %YES 64 %NO 36 %Other 0 Rate this statement: You feel comfortable speaking in front of others.

Pre % Not at all 9 % Sometimes 82 % All the Time 9 Post % Not at all 18 % Sometimes 55 % All the Time 27 Rate this statement: I believe I can make my hopes and/or dreams come true.

Pre % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 73 % All the Time 27 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 91 % All the Time 9 Rate this statement: I respect my own decisions even when dealing with peer pressure.

Pre % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 82 % All the Time 18 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 73 % All the Time 27 Complete this statement: I am trustworthy and see myself as a __. Follower, Equal, Leader Pre % Follower 9 % Equal 45 % Leader 45 Post % Follower 0 % Equal 45 % Leader 55 Have you ever been bullied? % Yes 82 % No 9 Have you ever seen someone being bullied? % Yes 82 % No 18 % No Answer 9 Did you do anything? % Yes 55 % No 18 % No Answer 27 Did you learn something in the workshop that will help you deal with bullying?

Post % Yes 73 % No 27 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: Because that has nothing to do with bullying. / To stand up for people. / I don’t remember if I did. / Standing up to a bully. / That don’t judge others and tell an adult. / To not judge people. / That to stand up the bully. / Tell someone. / It helped me by going up to them because it’s not my fear. / I learned to be good. / Not been bullied.

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

Post % Yes 91 % No 9 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: I would tell an adult. / Because I wouldn’t want to be bullied. / I would tell an adult. / I would get an adult and tell them that someone out there’s being bullied. / So they won’t get hurt. / Tell an adult or stand up for your friends. / Tell a teacher. / I would do something because I have been through that. / Because they might suicide. / Not my job.

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: To tell other respectfully. / I don’t remember if I did. / To ignore peer pressure. / Yes because of facing my fear. / So they will respect you back. / By facing my fears and saying it. / Yes because it helped. / It helped me because it tells me I can trust my own decisions. / To learn everything. / It is awesome.

What do you think about color?

What % gave more thought and shared them about color.

Pre 73% Post 91% Thoughts Shared: Pre: I think that a lot of different colored people get judged a lot. / Nothing. / I think it shows feelings/passion. / I think color shows someone’s feeling or expression. / I think about color is that there so cool. / When coloring. / No clue for this? / I’m color blind. / I think the color is cool. / I think that color means happiness because different colors make life happier. / Not sure. / I don’t know what that means. / I think that it is just a color and it’s not something to make fun of. / Color is life, life is full of color. / I don’t really care about colors because it’s not like I’m gonna change anything about it. / No. / Yes it’s good but it needs more color.

Post: I really didn’t see any color. / It bring out my feelings. / I learned about secondary colors. / Color shows passion. / Pink, blue, red, purple. / No. / I think about purple. / I think it’s still blue. / I think about blue. / That when music changes eye color. / They have feelings.

My most important hope or dream is. . .

What % gave more thought to their Dreams becoming reality.

Pre 100% Post 100% Thoughts Shared: Pre: To become a soccer player. / To become a doctor and cure cancer. / I don’t have one. / I don’t have one. / Is to go to high school. / To complete my life goals. / My dream is to stop bullying. / My dream is that I have a life and a family. / Be a builder. / To become a doctor and help my family. / Have a life. / Is to play with the Chicago Bulls. / My most important dream is to go to college. / Is to graduate high school. / My most important dream is to become an artist. / I want to be an NBA player and make my family proud. / I hope to become a nurse. / My most important dream is being a hairstylist because I’m really good at it. / Vet. / Is seeing my sister because I haven’t seen her for 5-6 years. / Taking care of my mom and becoming a doctor. Also wishing to be with my dad.

Post: To be a basketball player. / To achieve to be a baseball player. / Is to become a business lawyer. / Be in a business. / Is to go to college, get a job, and be a good drawer. / To become a soccer player. / Is to be a vet and have a happy life. / My most hope or dream is to graduate high school and college. / To stay and live with my mom. / Is to be in a vet. / Is to become a doctor.

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

Thoughts Shared: Being a good student in school. / To work with someone that good and work with them to achieve it. / Is to not give up on my dream. / Never give up. / Is that respect other accomplish your goal. / To don’t give up. / By being respectful and being responsibility. / Is to believe what I dream. / Never give up. / Is that I have to do possible. / Plan everything 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: Citizenship. / Respect, love people that are respectful to people to help me. / I wanted to work on behavior. / Responsibility. / What I want to improve is to be a good leader. / On my respect and yes it did. / By being trustworthiness. / Trustworthiness. / I wanted to respect and they helped me improve it by having bad consequences. / By facing my fear. / Taught me things I didn’t know.

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 you’re not supposed to be mean. / About other people different fears. / That you should respect them when they are talking. / To not stereotype. / That they have different fears. / That they’re trying to overcome their fear. / That they talk about themselves. / We have to respect others. / They can have same things in common. / That scared of heights. / Everybody different in different ways.

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

Thanks to Kemper & Ethel Marley Foundation, 11 young lives from Adobe Mountain Juvenile Facility Unit: Venture experienced their Possibilities.

This workshop took place on June 30- July 2, 2015. -#8 of 15 Opening up possibilities for the young minds of Arizona’s youth for a brighter tomorrow.©

“Bridging Possibility” workshops.

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

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

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

These responses are written in their words without edit.

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

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

Who am I? : Respect others, honesty, do better, don’t get kicked out, don’t judge, make more responsible. / Validating, judging, colors. Bullying, fights, harming, disrespect. Don’t do it in the first place. By knowing yourself. / Everyone’s different. Breaking down discrimination. / Look at people differently. Understanding. Children won’t have to deal with it. / Same in different ways. We won’t criticize others. Make them talk. Just know we’re not all the same. Learn how to treat everyone equally.

Creative Storytelling: Team building, communication, help during school projects, help person bullin’, by caring for others, be easier to talk with other people, get a job easier. / How to talk in front of people. It can do so by standing up in class. Kids can understand how to report the attack. You would become a stronger kid. / To be responsible, to work as a team. You have to be responsible, bring out homework. Responsibility will help you at your job. / How to express our feeling. Communication towards others. Let ourselves open up to adults. Help me speak up and say what is on my mind.

Through the Hoops: Balance, trust, balance school, trust classmates, communication, communicating with others. / Kids will feel special and happy. People would join to do Through the hoops. Working together as a group. / Teamwork, trust. If you’re doing a team project. You could try to help them out.

Job, school, sports. / Teamwork with others. Help us work with others. Team up on the bully. Work life, school, & community.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: Don’t judge a book by its cover. We went to treat people different ‘cause their appearance. We’ll be able to see we matter to others and be able to make our own & right decisions. We want to treat others different ‘cause their personally. / See yourself in a different day. By not caring how people judge you. Ignore it. By knowing yourself. / Having someone say “you’re a hero” is special. To love yourself. Self respect. You can trust yourself. I will learn how to not be shy. / To forgive, positive role models. Forgive bullies, good friends. Want offer bad things or try to get you to do bad stuff.

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 nasty because I don’t look like this on the outs. / Good I felt confidence. I felt good about myself. / It makes me feel special that people love me and care about my feelings. / Good, weird. / Makes me feel that I’m still alive and safe. / Good. / Like a boss.

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?

Lil Shupe. He inspires me. To be a role model. / D-Rose. Because he never give up on his self. Strength Honesty. / My hero is my mother because I wouldn’t be in this world if she didn’t have me. / Because he brought peace. Respect, love, equality. / My dad. Because I look up to him and he keeps me in the right path.

Courage, Integrity. / Leon Messi. I believe he is important because he works hard to get where he’s at and I want to do the same. Hard worker. / San Judas. I pray to him for my health and wealth. Strong minded.

Seeing Beyond: Thinking beyond the bag description. Thinking helps in all subject in school. Help you communicator better with others. / Listening, different thinking, look at things different. Math, science, English. It will help learn better in different way. Self esteem. / Describe, teamwork. Science because when your doing a projects you have to describe what your presenting. Makes your stories more interesting. / Teamwork with others, using creativity. Being creative.

Drawing one’s Fear’s, Hopes and Dreams and Sharing: You could accomplish anything you put your mind to. To stay in the right path. To be independent. / In order to have a dream. Having goals and dreams. / Using your mind. By knowing what your gonna do in life. / To map out our dreams, make action plans. By planning our school year out and setting specific goals. By setting a plan out to overcome a bully. By getting together with others for help.

®

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

Reflective Take Away Assignment: How to use positive outlooks. By turning bad grades into A’s.

By turning this life into a monkey. / Be able to see stuff different. Helps you solve problems. Be able to keep forward. / Hang with positive peers, better coping skills. Bring around positive environment. It will make me a positive person. / Life is optimism and you never know self. Confidence. Know what a outcome is. Different perspective on things, understand other peoples views.

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.

Having a son at a young age. / When I got arrested I was on all kind of drugs so I was looking at it like I was rescued not arrested. / Having my girls. / When I bought a dog to play and take care of and got older and was a bushy dog.

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

Funded By: Kemper & Ethel Marley Foundation Location: Adobe Mountain Facility Unit: Venture %Male 100

%Female 0

Dates: June 30-July 2, 2015

Ages 15-17

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

Pre %YES 45 %NO 55 %Other 0 Post %YES 64 %NO 36 %Other 0 Rate this statement: You feel comfortable speaking in front of others.

Pre % Not at all 18 % Sometimes 64 % All the Time 18 Post % Not at all 18 % Sometimes 55 % All the Time 27 Rate this statement: I believe I can make my hopes and/or dreams come true.

Pre % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 55 % All the Time 45 Post % Not at all 9 % Sometimes 45 % All the Time 45 Rate this statement: I respect my own decisions even when dealing with peer pressure.

Pre % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 45 % All the Time 55 Post % Not at all 18 % Sometimes 27 % All the Time 55 Complete this statement: I am trustworthy and see myself as a __. Follower, Equal, Leader Pre % Follower 0 % Equal 45 % Leader 55 Post % Follower 9 % Equal 18 % Leader 73 Have you ever been bullied? % Yes 27 % No 73 Have you ever seen someone being bullied? % Yes 100 % No 0 Did you do anything? % Yes 45 % No 55 % No Answer 0 Did you learn something in the workshop that will help you deal with bullying?

Post % Yes 73 % No 27 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: Judging others is wrong and we not giving them a chance. / I learned to keep people out and help others. / Try to understand the bully’s life. / I already know all this. / Learned a lot about coping skills. / Everyone is different. / To see what his fears are. / Tell someone. / Speak out and tell someone.

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

Post % Yes 82 % No 18 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: Cause bullying can really harm. / It’s wrong to bully. / I would because no one should be bullied. / Cause it’s not fair. / Bullying is wrong thing. / I would report the attack. / It depends. / Yes / I would intervene and say something.

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

Post % Yes 73 % No 27 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: Responsible. / I learned to show care for others. / I learned more about responsibility. / I know this. / Somewhat. / Trustworthy. Think before reacting. / Help others. / Yes / I learned to go off of how I feel.

What do you think about color?

What % gave more thought and shared them about color.

Pre 91% Post 91% Thoughts Shared: Pre: Yes and I think that people express their self with color. / Beautiful, amazing, moods, represents. / It’s just color, you can express your feeling through them. / Yes I think color is basically judging. / Never thought about it. Moods. / Some colors I don’t like. / Red, Purple, Black. / No I have not. / I believe that color can express how the mood is. / Black is the best. / Color is nice. Yes green. / Color is best on emotions.

Post: Colors can mean different emotions. / That color help you express yourself. / It can explain more than just a color. / Different expressions. / How your color feel in the spot you in. / Color can be judging a book by its color. / Some colors have different feelings. / You can demonstrate emotions. / Color brings out a lot inside you.

My most important hope or dream is. . .

What % gave more thought to their Dreams becoming reality.

Pre 91% Post 100% Thoughts Shared: Pre: Is to be a rapper. / Get rich or die tryin’ / Being famous. / I have a dream to become a NBA player. / To have a lot of money. / I don’t have one. / To see my dad again. / That my grandma stays well and my dad gets out of prison. / I dream is to be a famous soccer player. / Be the best father and boyfriend to my family. / Is to be an olympic wrestler. / Is to get out of the system.

Post: Be the best father and boyfriend to my family. / To be a rapper. / To be a soccer player. / Being a nurse. / Live forever. / Is me going to space. / Dream and hope. / Become a barber. / To have money. / Being a famous rapper.

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

Thoughts Shared: Don’t give up. / Don’t judge without knowing them. / That I can do what I want in my life. / Team player and responsibility. / Go to college. / Do me and think positive. / Always be a leader. / Always keep going. / Respect, responsibility. / To control emotion. / To speak out.

The Character Count 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: Caring. / Trust help me open up. / Caring by helping others. / Respect when someone is speaking, we need to show respect. / Respect. / Courage. / Responsibility. Take care of actions. / Responsible. / My emotion release. / Respect. By being quiet when others are talking.

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: Everybody’s different. / We are all unique in spots. / That friends care for others. / I learned about their dreams and goals. / Things I didn’t know we are all different in ways. / That everybody is equal. / You can hope for the best, pray for trust. / We’re different. / That another has a baby. / That he fears snakes. / That we’re all equal and no one’s perfect.

Thanks to Kemper & Ethel Marley Foundation, 13 young lives from Adobe Mountain: Challenge experienced their Possibilities.

This workshop took place on June 30-July 2, 2015. -# 9 of 15 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 12-17 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? : Knowing ourselves, not false calming, faking the funk, becoming your own person. / Don’t assume everyone’s different, people look happy doesn’t mean they are, just because they look that way doesn’t mean they are, treat everyone the same and with respect. / Not to judge, best working together, knowing yourself, to connect with others./ Too learn others and be less judgmental, complimentary and introduction, to stop judgment, less judgment more trustworthy.

Creative Storytelling: Identify body language, helping others, body language, identify your surroundings,/ More responsibility, doing schoolwork, speaking up and telling authority, taking responsibility for all your actions./ Identify creative things, speak up and stop bullying, by expanding our world. / To learn and identify the character pillars, to learn and show the character pillars, by the bullies learning the character pillars, by learning respect towards others.

Through the Hoops: Working alone is not the best thing, helping with subjects they struggle to comprehend well, speak up and stop bullying, provide support to people in need. / Better communication and teamwork, reach out to others for help and work together, more people you know more people to help you, better communication with family and friends and you will have teamwork to accomplish things in life./ Communication teamwork skill, to get a project done, by communicating with the bully, by using communication with the community. / Trust, teamwork learning to trust others, to help others, to become more social, to rely on others and self, to learn communication and cooperation.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: Feelings, controlling temper, confidence, to ignore others and do what is right. / Self respect, wanting to do better in school and caring about grades and classes, if you respect your decision you will not fall into it, by keeping self confidence up. / Self reflection raising within confidence, show self confidence in yourself, boost your self confidence. / To communicate with yourself even though it’s awkward, responsibility and communication with teachers, to increase your self esteem, it teaches responsibility, teamwork trust.

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 it’s hard for me to tell myself I love myself. / The same. / Weird funny bubble guts. / Curious something else is behind that story. / When I look at myself I see my dad, I see potential. / Happy and great. / It made me feel positive. / I felt weird and a changed person. / It makes me feel awkward. / Feels a little weird but I am not lying to myself. / It makes me feel comfortable. / It feels awkward. / Happy, amazing and great and show it makes me fill.

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 is very supportive. / My hero is my porter Jerimiah because he brought me closer to God, because he’s like a father figure to me and my pastor, selfless, respect, trustworthiness, and being loyal. / Kevin Durant. / Music, honesty, respect, and being loyal. / My fiancé Irma, she never lets me down and always puts a smile on my face when I am upset or mad, respect honest loyal and caring. / My mom. / So I can go pro. / respect and responsibility. / My grandma, because she always encourages me to keep my head held high and always to work for everything you have, character traits, someone who listens understands good ideas. / Mom, because she is a good role model, respect and caring. / Mom she taught me everything I know, they care for me, the pillars. / My mom. / My dad, because they show me how to be good, respect and trustworthiness.

Seeing Beyond: Skills or tools learned: By taking educated guesses and thinking, by thinking. / To use your senses, and communication, writing because you have to use descriptive words, to use your voice and communicate. / Work together obey the five senses, art to be more colorful, biology for health, by writing how to use your five senses./ To know right and wrong or what to say, in math process of elimination, thinking before you speak, to be respectful.

Drawing one’s Fear’s, Hopes and Dreams and Sharing: No matter what you get stuck in keep going, keep working until you succeed, stick with yourself, it keeps you on staying motivated. / Helps understand people, to complete your goals, to understand why they bully, to know self. / To identify the need for change, to learn from right and wrong, by your learning. / Being creative, by paying more attention, help me to believe.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: Expressing yourself, being able to open up, improving your relationships. / It brings hope- better outcome, positive thinking, by having hope and faith. / Positive and negative out of any situation, knowing the good out of all of it, help you move on from down situations.

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) as a positive one: When I moved from Flint to Phoenix. / A time when I didn’t do my Aims test I thought I wasn’t going to pass the next grade, but I did. / When I got convicted I was mad and thought it was bad idea, and it turned out to be a good thing for me. / Breaking in the house then I got caught up, did five months in jail so far and behave myself for a whole year. / When my parents were getting divorced, I felt fear and confused, I thought my mom was running my life , after a couple of years, I learned my parents were not right for each other, then I felt better. / When I went to detention I thought I learned to be myself. / Moving from Arizona to Mexico but the good was the food and the culture and amily. / When I got locked up it felt bad at first, then I realized it helped me. / When my real dad left my mom I thought I wouldn’t ever see him again, but when I was 12-13 she asked me if I wanted to go see him for the summer I said yes. / I perceived school was bad and it came out to be good, after school brings education and respect. / I felt relief and I felt the place took the place of home, when someone was getting bullied, I reacted with emotion of being furious, in a positive experience I thought my family was perfect. / When my family moved from Florida to Arizona I was sad then felt happy because I made new friends.

Funded By: Kemper & Ethel Marley Foundation Location: Adobe Mountain: Unit Challenge %Male 100

Dates: June 30 - July 2, 2015

%Female 0 Ages 12-17

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

Pre %YES 53 %NO 40 %Other 7 Post %YES 61 %NO 39 %Other 0 Rate this statement: You feel comfortable speaking in front of others.

Pre % Not at all 26 % Sometimes 40 % All the Time 34 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 30 % All the Time 70 Rate this statement: I believe I can make my hopes and/or dreams come true.

Pre % Not at all 20 % Sometimes 26 % All the Time 53 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 16 % All the Time 84 Rate this statement: I respect my own decisions even when dealing with peer pressure.

Pre % Not at all 6 % Sometimes 40 % All the Time 53 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 24 % All the Time 76 Complete this statement: I am trustworthy and see myself as a __. Follower, Equal, Leader Pre % Follower 6 % Equal 33 % Leader 60 Post % Follower 15 % Equal 15 % Leader 69 Have you ever been bullied? % Yes 33 % No 60 % No Answer 7 Have you ever seen someone being bullied? % Yes 26 % No 73 % No Answer 0 Did you do anything? % Yes 60 % No 13 % No Answer 26 Did you learn something in the workshop that will help you deal with bullying?

Post % Yes 84 % No 16 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: People do it because they don’t feel good about themselves. / Doing teamwork with others. / To stand up for people. / I learned to continue to speak up about bullying. / Communicate with the offender. / Solve it. / I’ve already learned about it. / Speak up be helpful and joyful, stop it that’s not right. / Having confidence and standing up toward the bully. / I learned to stick to others more. / Stand up to them and take no for an answer. / To be caring for others. / 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: Hit them. / Stand up for someone and encourage others too. / Stand up for them. / I have been bullied and I know how it feels. / I would stand up for the victim. / I would protect him and help him out. / I’d tell them it is wrong. / I would help out the kid that’s being bullied. / I know right from wrong and now to help other people. / I would help the other person. /Tell the staff that someone is being bullied. / Tell them to stop it now. / I would tell them that it isn’t 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 92 % No 8 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: Learning how to make better choices. / To do what is right based on my own belief. / I learned that what others are doing are always the student’s decision. / Focus on your own decision. / Respect others. / Yes, because I learned I’m not alone. / By saying and being on your own. / By standing up to my own decision not anyone else’s. / Helped make me follow my own choice. / Standing up to myself and believing I can succeed in life. / Yes, I learned to be caring. / Taking action.

What do you think about color?

What % gave more thought and shared them about color.

Pre 86% Post 92% Thoughts Shared: Pre: The color blue brings out my personality more than others. / It explains meaning of the moon. / Expresses feelings. / Blue, I like it. / My favorite color is green and it makes me comfortable. / Segregation. / Red because it makes me feel powerful. / I like movies with color. / Color is a figment of our imagination, white color it is not seen. / Color stays in your mind longer because that’s what you see when you are a kid. / Color is a way of seeing the world. / Color brings out emotions in yourself. / Gold or yellow Green Bay Packers blue like Jazz/ Blues.

Post: Color explains an emotion. / Color can come from anything if you imagine./ It explains how people can feel. / That no matter the color you can always see something in it. / Sand has color. / Blue Jazz brown chocolate milk. / Each color has an emotion. / Is helpful. / Color has a meaning, it has a definition. / That color can come from music. / There color in music, color is in everything. / It has a meaning behind it.

My most important hope or dream is. . .

What % gave more thought to their Dreams becoming reality.

Pre 100% Post 100% Thoughts Shared: Pre: My dream is to go to NBA or NFL and hope to leave here and successfully go to college. / Dream is to be successful in life because I don’t want to be a failure. / To be musician. / To have my parents legal. / Be a pharmacist. / Is to do NBA. / Is to become a teacher. / Become a music producer. / Both. / Become an NBA player. / To open a restaurant. / Joining the army/ motor cross. / Is to go home to my family and play pro soccer. / Create a nonprofit organization to help youth. / I hope to get out of Adobe and get out of high school and go to U of A. Post: Is to become a marine sergeant. / To be a famous music producer. / Joining the army and motor cross. / The NBA or NFL after leaving here. / Opening a nonprofit organization to help youth. / I hope is I get out of here and to become a professional athlete. / To become a teacher. / Is to fix my parents papers, to make them legal. / To go back to my family successfully. / My most important hope and dream is to open my own restaurant. / Is to be an NBA player. / Become a musician and start a family. / Become a doctor or a pharmacist after going 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: Is to fulfill my dream and just be me. / Is to be caring for all people. / It shows you can get through life no matter how hard it is. / No matter what’s going on, more buckling and try again. / Confidence. / Stay forward and overcome obstacles. / That I am not alone and to ask for help. / Is to feel great and confident. / Having patience and respect. / I learned to be open minded and to ask for help. / Have confidence in myself. / See something differently, then how it is perceived. / Always think positively.

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: None I’m good by them all. / Respect, it helped me with respecting others. / How I felt and what colors show emotion. / Yes I learned to say meaning of change for others. / By knowing who I am and to believe in my dreams. / We’ll I haven’t done anything yet, but I will change my ways. / Trustworthiness they helped me by working with others. / I want to improve in caring. / I wanted to be able to be compassionate more and we did a lot of that. / Yes, I wanted to improve my skills and character. / I wasn’t here that long. / Yes, that I can speak to people better in groups then I thought. / Respect and by finding out about people.

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 only two people are going to do the same thing when they get out. / That we are not the same. / Some people have the same fears. / When we did step forward, it taught me about others. / How they are in their dreams. / Some still need help. / That many have the same fears as I do. / Being cooperative. / That we are all the same. / That everyone has the same fears, thoughts, and emotions. / That everyone has a lot of confidence. / Yes, everyone’s fear is different. / 99.9 % want to change.

®

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

Thanks to Kemper & Ethel Marley Foundation, 11 young lives from The New Foundation experienced their Possibilities.

This workshop took place on July 28-30, 2015. -#10 of 15 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 11-16 The students are asked to reflect on the following question: How do you think this activity could help you in your daily life (In School, Out of School, or In Your Career)?

Who am I? : To get to know each other, you don’t judge others, you wouldn’t accuse / guess about people, it will make a good reputation. / Things are human, make more friend ,show people your true self, I suppose it helps you surround yourself with a good self good friends and good decisions. / That people have a lot in common, try to relate to others, there’s no judging, stay connected. / Finding common characteristics in people, to help connect with peers, by sharing experiences with someone you’ll least likely want to judge them, build social skills.

Creative Storytelling: Use your imagination, creative writing, it creates a trusting bond of trust, use my imagination. / How to express our feelings, make sure your point gets across in projects, show them how you truly feel, people will always like to hear this part of my life. / It shows that people have many ways to show stuff, you always have a good side in you, treat someone like you want to be treated, if you go in public you can’t just go up to someone and be mean. / Creativity, create a way to stand up for yourself, help yourself with creativity in your job and with the staff.

Through the Hoops: Teamwork and trustworthiness, you can always have fun when it is hard, instead of being mean you have the choice to be nice, learning to work together. / Teamwork and confidence, you will be able to present school projects, have the guts to say stop, be able to open up. / Learn to be trustworthy of others, initiative stay trusting, helps you stand up to the aggressors, trust it helps with initiative. / Ask each other for help, when we struggle ask for help, tell that bully to stop or tell an adult, go look for help as in rehab or hospital.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: Positive self-talk, having more belief in succeeding your academics, building self esteem and courage so you fall into peer pressure, positive self talks can help build character by pursuing your dreams. / Send a positive message, self esteem booster, helps not give in, boosts my self esteem. / How to try to look at yourself through the eyes of others, confidence in seeing how others see you, having the confidence to turn it down, confidence links to positive self thought. / Don’t think negative about yourself, you would probably think that you can’t do it (anything), you would make the right decisions, I would think more positively about myself.

Mirror Work: Look at Yourself in the eyes (ONLY) and tell yourself that you love or like yourself just the way you are. By making me feel love . / No type of way. / I don’t look at myself. / I am not sure of myself. / It makes me feel cared for and loved. / Happy, cared for and loved. / Good, amazing. / I feel nothing. / It makes me feel ok.

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? I don’t have a hero, understanding and inspiring. / Justin Bieber, he’s a kind caring person, kind, caring, honest. / Jessica, she is more mature than me, someone that is inspiring. / My hero is my Aunt Megan, because me and her have gone through somethings, love, hope, faith, kind, thoughtful. / My dad is important because he is my dad, I’m not sure. / I don’t have a hero. / Nobody, I really don’t know, evil, angry, and not caring. / My mom and me, the age important for motivation, hope, and more, respect, nice, fair, funny, trustworthy, sincere. / No one, I think people are important, people live for a reason, integrity, honesty, courage, nice.

Seeing Beyond: Taking context clues, it would help in explaining literature, it helps with literature. / Be descriptive, language arts, to be able to describe what you’re seeing and feeling. / If you are going to say something be positive, writing because you have to be descriptive, it will tell people what to exactly do. / In a positive way being able to illustrate without being obvious, writing, because you need to be able to illustrate in order to tell a story, help build communication skills.

Drawing one’s Fear’s, Hopes and Dreams and Sharing: That you are not the only one that has that fear, hope, or dream, you’re not the only one who needs help, the bulling might have gone through as some things can, everybody needs different things to do in life. / Open up, asking teachers questions, tell people, by telling people the consequences of life or how people feel. / Chase your dreams, school requires to chase dreams, ignore mean people, makes you step out of your comfort zone. / Let people know your true self, help express individuality in school projects, sticking to a task not giving up.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: Improvement in self positivity, showing perseverance in school projects and such, sticking with a task not giving up. / Be caring of others, stand by each other, you learn to stand by one another. / it makes it easier to trust someone more, if you need help, you can trust other people to tell you the right thing to do, in life you can learn to trust more and more people./Being kind to someone can also earn trust, creating friendships, by earning trust from someone, you would need to show them you care.

Write about a time when you trustworthy or caring and helped someone else in a positive way.

How did it feel afterward? Describe the experience below. Then draw a picture on the back of what the experience looked like. Giving others good feedback. / I helped Hope when she was crying this morning, I helped her by giving her a hug to help her be herself. / I helped by giving someone( was a new student) a hug and helped her through class. / One day my friend was getting bullied , I offered him a stress ball because it helps him calm down and he accepted it, I gave him the stress ball and it helped him relax. / I trusted Jess when we did a trust fall, good I was scared the whole time.

Funded By: Kemper & Ethel Marley Foundation Location: The New Foundation %Male 46

%Female 54

Dates: July 28-30, 2015

Ages 11-16

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

Pre %YES 63 %NO 9 %Other 27 Post %YES 80 %NO 10 %Other 10 Rate this statement: You feel comfortable speaking in front of others.

Pre % Not at all 18 % Sometimes 72 % All the Time 9 Post % Not at all 20 % Sometimes 0 % All the Time 80 Rate this statement: I believe I can make my hopes and/or dreams come true.

Pre % Not at all 27 % Sometimes 36 % All the Time 36 Post % Not at all 20 % Sometimes 0 % All the Time 80 Rate this statement: I respect my own decisions even when dealing with peer pressure.

Pre % Not at all 27 % Sometimes 36 % All the Time 36 Post % Not at all 10 % Sometimes 30 % All the Time 60 Complete this statement: I am trustworthy and see myself as a __. Follower, Equal, Leader Pre % Follower 36 % Equal 27 % Leader 36 Post % Follower 10 % Equal 40 % Leader 50 Have you ever been bullied? % Yes 91 % No 9 Have you ever seen someone being bullied? % Yes 36 % No 63 % No Answer 0 Did you do anything? % Yes 60 % No 40 % No Answer 0 Did you learn something in the workshop that will help you deal with bullying?

Post % Yes 80 % No 20 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: Stand up for others. / Not to be afraid of girls. / Being able to tell that people are alike. / It opened my eyes. / Showing individuality is a good thing. / Make the right choices. / I didn’t learn anything. /I did it one time. / Things that mean a lot. / 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: Stop them. / Maybe./ I was taught in workshop to help others. / Not hide. / Stick up for them. / Because I was bullied as a kid. / I would stick up for them. / It’s unfair. / To stand up for them. / Tell an adult.

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

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

Post % Yes 70 % No 30 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: No. / Don’t do it. / Don’t give in. / I usually do not give in anyway. / It is my choice. / Peer pressure is a big thing. / I can’t. / Not really. / Coping skills.

What do you think about color?

What % gave more thought and shared them about color.

Pre 100% Post 100% Thoughts Shared: Pre: Nothing. / No not really./ It’s cool. / That color is in us. / I like to color. / I think color is the flavor in the boring aspects of life. / Nothing. / Not really. / I like pink so I think I like color. / I like to color. / No, I had no thought about color.

Post: Color is color. / Color is pretty. / They all mean something. / It doesn’t matter. / No one sees color. / Everybody is different. / It is the flavor in dull aspects of life. / I like to color. / It shows imagination. / We are the same.

My most important hope or dream is. . .

What % gave more thought to their Dreams becoming reality.

Pre 100% Post 100% Thoughts Shared: Pre: To become a vet. / To get a job as a BHT. / I don’t have one. / To live a complete happy life and achieve all my goals. / Get out of here. / It is not just a hope or dream, one day I will be in the music industry. /To become a first. / Get my mom back. / To become a FBI agent. / Become a professional artist. / Nothing.

Post: To get my mom back. / To sing, act. / Marry JB. / Become a lyricist. / To become a teacher. / Wear camouflage. / To become a BHT (behavioral health technician). / I don’t have one. / To become a vet. / My brother.

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

Thoughts Shared: Help inspire people. / Is to public speak. / Don’t have one. / To keep moving forward. / Tell everyone what is your dream. / Go for everything. / Follow my own path. / Chase it. / Stay positive. / Because all are hard to reach.

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: Being courageous. / Respect I’m not arguing. / I wanted to improve individuality and it did. / Responsibility. / Nothing. / My character was shyness it helped me work on it because I talked a lot. / Nothing you did good. / Responsibility, yes. / Citizenship. / To show more respect.

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: People are a lot like me. / None. / Me and Hope trust each other. / We have the same thoughts. / To never stay inside of your shell. / Nothing. / Don’t judge someone by how they look. / They have similar fears as I do. / They have the same fears. / They all have fear.

Thanks to Kemper & Ethel Marley Foundation, 24 young lives from Kenilworth Elementary experienced their Possibilities.

This workshop took place on August 17-19, 2015. - #11 of 15 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 13-14.

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? : To be respectful or responsible, Not to judge anyone, Communication, Respectful, The staff will have the same respect for you. / By communicating, So you don’t judge other students. / Be respectful of our teachers, To get new friends, Get to know somebody, Not judging a person by the covers. / You don’t feel alone, So people will know you as a good friend Getting to know them, being respected as a person, You would be able to get jobs.

Creative Storytelling: Caring, Teamwork, Improvise, How to be creative. / It would help, Respectful, responsible, fairness, trustworthy and citizenship, Treating everybody the same, To work with others, Caring about the people around you. / You care for the person who is getting bullied and stop it, then the person and the bully become friends, To stand up to the bully, To know how to help somebody, Respect other people and prevent bullying. / So you won’t be rude and not be disrespectful, Quick time situation, Learn to trust others, It would help in life because if you see a person/thing you can help it.

Through the Hoops: Teamwork, Teamwork, Teamwork, Trust. / Trusting people to help you out, Work well with partners, Working with each other, To get work done. / To beat up the bully, No bad situations, You won’t be a bystander, Help you stand up and walk away, then you can be friends. / Makes your job opportunities better and a better life, Your social life, communication, Cooperation, To build trust.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: Get out your feelings, Turn a negative to a positive, Bad times can sometimes end up good, Negative experiences into a positive one. / If you don’t do your homework, come up at lunch and do your work, Negative is if you get in trouble, positive you’ll learn from it, Come to closure, To be positive at school. / Peer pressure can be positive in a way, Making better decisions, No to peer pressure, If someone forces you to do drugs or smoking, but you don’t end up doing it, you can end up a really good life. / Make bad things good things, Better experience, To be positive at work, To be confident with your decisions.

Mirror Work: Look at Yourself in the eyes (ONLY) and tell yourself that you love or like yourself just the way you are. Happy, joyful, like I can do anything. / I love about myself is loving and kind. It makes me feel really good/happy. / Make me feel very good. / Good, proud, happy. / Awkward, but made me feel like I love myself. / It makes me feel confident. / It makes me feel good. / Well it makes me feel kinds dumb because I’m talking to myself in the mirror. / Makes me feel confident and pretty. / It makes me feel awkward and weird. / It kinds makes me feel dumb. / Makes me feel proud. / I didn’t feel anything.

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 hero is my parents because they’re going to help me where I am going to be in the future. Because they are my life and I love them so much. What I see in a hero is that they support me in everything I do. / My hero is my brother because he helps me and always motivates me.

Someone that gives a good example of motivation and some to look forward to. / Mom. Most of the time she gives me what I need/want. / My hero is Mark Fischbach. He is important to me because he saved many lives.

He cares for his fans before himself and he does monthly charities. The characteristics of him are goofy, funny, generous, caring, helpful, emotional, thoughtful, and creative. / My hero is my family. They fought in WWI/II. Now ther is only one in my family that is still alive. Their fought for our freedom. My other super hero is my cat Jasper. Because he has been there for me. But they someone killed him. Now it’s time for me to do the same for him like he did for me. Kindness, helpful, respect, save people. / My family. They all the time help me like the are my heart and hero. Because they are my life and they give me this life. Like three people in one. / My dad, my mom, Sandra Bullock, grandma, Miranda are my heroes. They are nice and responsible. Responsible, nice, caring, and trustful. / My dad, Leo Divinci, other artist, photography, Michael Jackson, and my friends.

They do good things, they care, and they live their lives, doing great things, don’t care if there life. Artist, caring creative, nice. / Albert Einstein because he was a great scientist. Intelligence, mustache, accent. / My hero is my mom because she is kind and caring. She is a good role model. Caring, kind, and helpful. / David Beckham. I think his important because is a good person. He is a good soccer player. / I don’t have one.

Confidence, smart, leadership, kind, caring, strong minded. / Me. I think I’m important because I’m the only one to make me feel special. Smart, strong, brave, not a quitter. / My hero is my mom. She helps me with everything she takes care of me and my sisters. Responsible, reliable, smart, nice, strong, helpful, brave. / Don’t have one. Confident, strong, smart, leader, and kind. / My heroes would have to be my mom, dad, and brother. They’re my family and make me strive to be better. Honorable, trustworthy, nice, caring. / My hero is a doctor. I think that a doctor is important because they are the ones that take care of people. Helping, caring, thoughtful.

Seeing Beyond: Trusting your five senses, To listen, Rely on your team, To use your senses. / Teamwork and science, To listen to whoever is speaking so you’re prepared, Science because you have to be super descriptive, To learn how to be more descriptive in reading and math etc./ If you ever become doctor, vet, you need to know what the five senses you need for it, To listen to people like your manager, Help you with getting a job and being more descriptive, To be more creative in life.

Drawing one’s Fear’s, Hopes and Dreams and Sharing: Figure out what you want to do in the future, Confidence, Stretch your comfort zone to succeed, Remembering goals and fears. / To keep your focus, Doing something you’re uncomfortable with can help you find something you like, Trying something new can help you find something you like, Know what you want to study. / To prove to your bully that you have somethings in common, If you have the confidence you can stand up for them, To take aa risk and stand up to the bully, No caring what people say./ Keep working to your goal, To be brave, It will help me not to be afraid, To show everyone that you have hopes, fears, and dreams.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: Improvement in self positivity, showing perseverance in school projects and such, sticking with a task not giving up. / Be caring of others, stand by each other, you learn to stand by one another. / it makes it easier to trust someone more, if you need help, you can trust other people to tell you the right thing to do, in life you can learn to trust more and more people./Being kind to someone can also earn trust, creating friendships, by earning trust from someone, you would need to show them you care.

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. Draw on the other side of paper, a picture of how you felt about this experience. Draw how you felt at the beginning and how you felt when the change took place. Then, write about it.

When my parents lectured me that I thought was dumb but when I look back it makes sense so they taught me a lesson. / When my video game did not work. / When the wi-fi isn’t working I played with my dogs. / When my parents yelled at me but then I realized my parent yelled at me to help me. / When our car broke down so we had to walk. But while we were walking we found $100.

®

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

Funded By: Kemper & Ethel Marley Foundation Location: Kenilworth Elementary %Male 50

%Female 50

Dates: August 17-19, 2015

Ages 13-14

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

Pre %YES 72 %NO 24 %Other 4 Post %YES 87 %NO 8 %Other 4 Rate this statement: You feel comfortable speaking in front of others.

Pre % Not at all 18 % Sometimes 72 % All the Time 8 Post % Not at all 8 % Sometimes 71 % All the Time 20 Rate this statement: I believe I can make my hopes and/or dreams come true.

Pre % Not at all 4 % Sometimes 48 % All the Time 48 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes46 % All the Time 54 Rate this statement: I respect my own decisions even when dealing with peer pressure.

Pre % Not at all 8 % Sometimes 64 % All the Time 28 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 54 % All the Time 41 %No Answer 5 Complete this statement: I am trustworthy and see myself as a __. Follower, Equal, Leader Pre % Follower 12 % Equal 44 % Leader 44 Post % Follower 8 % Equal 44 % Leader 50 Have you ever been bullied? % Yes 40 % No 60 Have you ever seen someone being bullied? % Yes 52 % No 48 % No Answer 0 Did you do anything? % Yes 41 % No 37 % No Answer 25 Did you learn something in the workshop that will help you deal with bullying?

Post % Yes 87 % No 13 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: No it did not. / Yes, teamwork is one part. / They give some examples. / Speak up or tell an adult. / You can work together. / Learned to communicate with others. / To tell them to stop. / To be confident. / To help others. / Yes, to always step in and don’t be a bystander. / If you see someone being bullied, stand up and tell him/her to stop. / To work as a team. / To speak up and help me and others. / Because I know how to deal with them. / That it does not matter how you look as long as your dreams come true. / Just walk away. / Walk away or stand up to them. / I never got bullied. / Help me to help people that have been bullied. / To share your feelings. / I learned to stand up to them. / We are all equal.

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

Post % Yes 84 %No 13 % No Answer 3 Thoughts Shared: I would try to stop them. / I would help him/her. / No it did not help. / Speak up or tell an adult. / We all have something going on in our lives so helping the victim would be great. / Don’t let the violence happen. / I would already stand up to them. / I would tell them to stop. / Stand up to them. /

To help. / I would step in and help. / I would tell them to stop. / To work as a team. / I would tell them to leave them alone. / Tell him to stop. / I would not let them hit someone for no reason. / Help that student. / I’m not sure. / Wouldn’t like it if it was me. / I saw my friend but I‘d just tell her dad. / I would tell them to stop. / Because it is the right thing to do. / It’s not right to not help. / They could start with me.

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

Post % Yes 95 % No 5 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: Do what you think is best. / Yes it did. / Yes be respectful. / Trustworthy. / Had me reflect on decisions I made and what I could have done better. / To speak up. /Learned to be more confident. / I learned to go with the flow. / Because people push you down but you get back up. / Make better. / Don’t always be like everyone be a hero. / Make your own decisions. / Yes, because to respect others. / Yes, to not make a decision that I don’t want. / I worked on situations. / I always make my decisions. / To respect anyone around you. / If you are not comfortable with it, don’t do it. / Confidence. / Helped me to respect my decisions. / Don’t let people judge you. / To make sure not to get fired in life. / Already had them. / Trey taught us in PE. What do you think about color?

What % gave more thought and shared them about color.

Pre 56% Post 91% Thoughts Shared: Pre: I think colors represent feelings. / I had never thought about color. / Color is something that you see and no I have never thought about color. / If you mean showing color like attitude and who you are then I think its important because it shows who you are to others. / Like a rainbow. / No I have never thought about color. / I don’t know. / No I don’t know. / That it makes everything we see colored. / No. / Yes because color is emotion but it also shows your personality. / Colors remind me of my emotions like when I am happy I am bright. / I don’t see the color of someone’s skin all I see is their personality. / Colors are everywhere. / I have never thought about color. / To show your feeling. / Color brings life to things and makes them stand out. / I’m not sure, I’ve never thought about thinking of colors. / The color its cool.

Post: That it has sound (you can hear it). / The same. / Lot’s, but not too much./ Color can change the way you feel. / Color is you and who you are. / It’s the same. / Nothing. / I think it has emotions. / Feelings. / I don’t know about color. / Color has sound and taste. / Color means stuff by feeling and sounds. / I learned it’s clean. / I still know color is music, color is our emotions, feelings, music, everything. / I saw pitch black. / About not to have fear. / Color is everywhere you see it in signs posters. / That music can have color. / Makes noise. / I think that the color is us. / I think color has sounds. / That you can bring it together to get another color. / Color brings life to everything. / They make some sounds.

My most important hope or dream is. . .

What % gave more thought to their Dreams becoming reality.

Pre 68% Post 100% Thoughts Shared: Pre: I want to be a police officer. / I just want to be a computer engineer. / My dream is to become a soccer player. / My most important hope and dream is to help my family and the world. / To become a baseball player. / My most important dream is to become a soccer player. / I don’t have a hope or dream. / To be successful. / To have my own science company. / My dream is to become an athlete

so I can be on t.v. I want to play in the NBA or NFL. / My hope and dream is to be rich. / My important dream is to a artist, but photograph is also my most important dream too. / My most is being an artist or photography. / To finish this year with all A’s and/or B’s. / I’m not sure yet. / Meeting Special K. / Meeting my hero and being a vet. / My hope/dream is to see my Nana/Tata again and my cat Jasper. / I become a doctor. / I don’t know. / I hope to be successful in life and be a pharmacist.

Post: To become something. / Pro soccer player. / To be a good tech and soccer. / Is to be a doctor. / Raise a family and help my son or daughter achieve their dreams. / Nothing. / Is to become an MLB. / To be a cop. / Is to see my nana/tatta. / Play MLB. / To be successful. / To be a pharmacist. / Is to play baseball. / Is art and photography my dream. / To become a NBA or NFL player. / To be a soccer player. / To be an artist or a children’s doctor. / To meet my heroes and graduate college. / Something to do with fashion. / I dream to be a doctor. / To become a photographer or an artist. / To start my own technology company. /Become a doctor. / Being a cop or police service.

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

Thoughts Shared: To never give up. / To work hard. / Responsibility is a part to reach it. / Is to be confident in yourself. / To never give up and keep going. / Fairness. / To speak up. / To be confident in yourself. / To be confident. / Be responsible and caring and always follow your dreams. / To not let anyone peer pressure you. / To respect others. / One thing is to speak up, and to have confidence. / To always stay positive. / Is not to give up. / Is to just keep going and don’t look back. / To be confident. / Fairness, everyone should get equal. / Have respect with other people and have fun. / Is to put your fears aside. / To not give up. / To improve yourself. / To work for it.

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 95% discovered something in the workshop to improve their Character Count.

Thoughts Shared: My social life. It helped me not to be scared. / To not give up. / So I can be more careful with my decisions. / Not to be shy and be confident. / Fairness and the workshop helped me make sure everyone got a fair and equal shot. / Fairness. / It helped me not be silly. / Not being shy. / No. / Caring for others. / It was fairness because everyone got a prize. / To learn. / To trust other people. / By letting us refresh. / I was afraid of speaking in front of everyone but now I’m better. / To be nice and support others. / Fairness because when our team didn’t tie with the others they still let us win. / Fairness everyone should get equal. / Have more contact with other people. / Yes. / Trustworthiness. / To improve something you did. / Helping to help someone in distress.

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 all have something in common. / They play games. / Their life. / Yes lots. / What they are afraid of. / I learned that we all have struggles. / That we have somethings in common. / I learned about personalities. / We all have the same fears. / To be confident. / Always help one another. / That everyone is the same. / That we are all dealing with the same thing but in a different way. / To work as a team. / Not to be afraid. / Be respectful, trustworthy, fair and care. / That some students, family members died without purpose. / I’ve got common stuff with other people. / Respect them and help them. / That everyone has fears. / That everyone has fears but that’s ok. / That to war is a fear. / Well, I learned that the people you think didn’t do or have something has it or it has happened to them before.

Thanks to Kemper & Ethel Marley Foundation, 27 young lives from Kenilworth Elementary experienced their Possibilities.

This workshop took place on August 24-26, 2015. - #12 of 15 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? : Be part of a team, Get to know other people, Participate, talking, to play in a group, games to get to know each other, See people’s preferences. / To get to know somebody in the class, To get to know classmates, Have fun, getting to know people, talking to new people, To help each other learn, To be able to communicate with friends. / To be equal in a group, So you know how they are and not judge on looks, Make them equal to you, get to know them, ask questions before judging them, Know more about each other and already you’ll know about them, To learn about their culture. / By not judging people, You would learn everyone’s different, Makes you stronger, So you can be social as an adult, To increase your social level.

Creative Storytelling: Imaginative, To learn about each other, To use your memory, Everyone had different feelings and heroes, Use listening skills and memorize. / We might be a hero to someone else, You are memorizing, To understand each other’s feelings, Creative ideas, Attend to the learning moment in class. / To be accurate with the details and facts, By helping someone if they’re getting bullied, Because everybody will know each other and understand each other, Remember to tell an adult, If they are a hero to someone else then they would make good choices. / To be a better person because we would look up to our hero, Learning about each other, Helps build citizenship by asking how others are, By seeing things in a different perspective, To be a better listener, if you are a witness to something you can state the facts.

Through the Hoops: Teamwork, Teamwork, Teamwork, how to work with others, How to cooperate, Engage and participate with classmates, Work as a team, Group projects, Helping each other, To work with people you usually talk to, To interact with each other and work in groups. / To support each other, To help the person who’s getting bullied, To help whoever is getting bullied, To stand up for someone getting bullied, You can cooperate with the bully. / When you have to work in teams at work, If you have problems, you can ask friends and teamwork will always be in your life, To help strangers if needed, To work with and help others, To overcome obstacles.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: To respect ourselves and others, To be truthful and see yourself either way, Feel confident, awkward, good to believe in yourself, To be confident with yourself and others, Come to school great, feeling proud, To not bully, To be confident while you talk in class, Being able to participate, To interact with others. / To be confident in your choices and not to let others influence you, To be confident and not shy, To be confident of your decisions and know what’s right from wrong, Learn how to respect your own decisions, Don’t listen to what others/ everyone says ./ As you keep saying that you love yourself you will more likely like yourself, You would get use to it and help teach other people, To be confident in your decisions and confident in yourself, To be to speak to many people, It will help you be responsible in the future.

Mirror Work: Look at Yourself in the eyes (ONLY) and tell yourself that you love or like yourself just the way you are. I feel confident. / It felt weird and awkward but it felt nice. / It felt awkward t first. / It makes me feel awkward. / I’m not sure, it would kind of scare me. / It felt weird saying that because I don’t usually say it. / Weird. / I felt good because it made me feel like I am important and I mean something to people. / It makes me feel good in a way that everyone is different and that’s what makes you unique. / It makes me feel weird. / Weird strong, and different. / I felt weird. / How It made me feel was happy and I felt weird. / Well, I told myself that I like myself, I look good and I felt weird. / It felt really weird talking to a mirror but it feels good to know and believe in yourself. / It makes me feel weird. / It makes me feel weird because I don’t really look at myself in the mirror. / The mirror thing was weird, I felt like I got some confidence. / Weird, awkward, laugh, it’s right but not at the same time. / It makes me feel weird. / When I looked myself in the mirror and said I like myself, it felt weird and awkward. / It makes me feel powerful. / When I looked at myself in the mirror I felt amazed at my eyes / I looked straight into my eyes and felt calm as if nothing can harm me, I was in peace with everything around me.

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 she is in my everyday life, honest, hardworking, kind determined, responsible. / My dad, he came to the US because he knew if he stayed in Mexico, we would not have a good life, and he is a hard worker, hardworking, smart, respectful, loyal, responsible, kind caring. /.My dad, he takes care of me, he is good at basketball, so I want to be like him, caring, helpful, brave. / My hero is my mom because she works hard, thoughtful./ My dad, he graduated after five years of no sleep and still is working for his goals determination./ My hero is my mom and my brother because they are there for me and they take care of me and they are good role models, I think they are important because they are my family, The characteristics and qualities I look in a hero is if they are good role models or if they are there for me./ My mom because she’s been with me my whole life, and when I grow up I want to be just like her ,because she inspires me to look forward and to never give up, smart, funny, caring, fantastic, and loving./ They are my mom and dad, I think they are important because they are always there when I need them, they are trust, loyal, kind, and helpful./ My hero is my mom because she is always there for me when I need her and always takes care of me, because if we didn’t have them then we wouldn’t have anyone to look up to, I look for someone who is loyal, I can trust and make wise decisions in life./ My mom is my hero, she gave me and my brother and sister birth, I am not sure. / My hero is my mom, because she takes care of me and my brother and sister, kind, caring, funny, loving, and helpful. / I think my mom is my hero, because I love her, caring, funny, awesome mother, and understanding. / My cousin, she is always on her phone, she protects me, because she is always there for me and she is family, funny, nice, and loyal./ My parents and Taylor Swift, my parents give me everything I need, Taylor Swift because I love her songs, to help people, be trustworthy./ My hero is my mom and dad, they are important because they took care of me since I was an infant, kindness, love, and thanks most of all./ My mom,

because I love her and she managed to raise me and my five siblings. Brave responsible, determined. / One of my uncles, I think they are important because he always helps me and my family in anything, that is nice and helpful. / Dad, he tells me from right and wrong, a leader. / My mom, she helps me in tough times, caring loving, helpful, responsible./ My sister, she shows me responsibility and things and I look up to her. Responsibility respectful, caring, nice, outgoing. / My hero is my mom and dad, they are the people that put a roof over my head, food on the table, and keep me safe, someone to treat me fair. / My heroes are my parents, they are important because they have cared for me my whole life, some characteristics are caring, kind, helpful, and loving. / My hero is food, because it helps me when I am stressed or sad or hungry, it tastes good and helps to make me feel better. / I choose my mom, I think that my mom is important to me because she has always been there for me whenever I need her, I’m happy to have a mom, everyone should have one, it is the best feeling to know someone will always be there for you, someone who is always there for you, kind, happy, best friend awesome.

Seeing Beyond: Trusting your five senses, To listen, Rely on your team, To use your senses. / Teamwork and science, To listen to whoever is speaking so you’re prepared, Science because you have to be super descriptive, To learn how to be more descriptive in reading and math etc./ If you ever become doctor, vet, you need to know what the five senses you need for it, To listen to people like your manager, Help you with getting a job and being more descriptive, To be more creative in life.

Drawing one’s Fear’s, Hopes and Dreams and Sharing: We learned new types of things that people are afraid of and what their dreams will be, To see what we have to overcome our dreams and fears, Learning about people, their fears, and dreams, Expressing yourself, To be able to open up. / So you can be more social, To talk about feelings, Work hard for dreams, It will teach us that some of us have the same fears and not mock each other, To have people accomplish their dreams. / Teaches people how to not bring each other down, To help understand and respect our fears, To not judge people hopes or fears, Express why you bully, To be able to stand up for yourself or someone.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: Improvement in self positivity, showing perseverance in school projects and such, sticking with a task not giving up. / Be caring of others, stand by each other, you learn to stand by one another. / It makes it easier to trust someone more, if you need help, you can trust other people to tell you the right thing to do, in life you can learn to trust more and more people. / Being kind to someone can also earn trust, creating friendships, by earning trust from someone, you would need to show them you care.

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. Draw on the other side of paper, a picture of how you felt about this experience. Draw how you felt at the beginning and how you felt when the change took place. Then, write about it.

I felt dumb for thinking it was bad at first. When I didn’t want to go to school but I ended up going anyway. I was scared when we were moving house, It was the house I grew up in, when we moved in it was closer to my school, I wasn’t late to school anymore. There was a time when my mom was talking to me about my attitude and I was really mad at first, but I realized that I had an attitude, so after we had that talk I tried to change that. When I was going to skip school because I was sick on a test day but then I threw up and I’m glad I stayed home. One time I couldn’t solve a problem, so I didn’t try but after I got confidence, I took my time and solved it. I actually always thought in both thought that my family was going to give away my puppy, but then I thought about it would be ok because then she wouldn’t have to wait on me to get back from school to eat and use the bathroom.

Something that was hard and then got stronger was to talk to people because I was a very shy person. There was this one time that I gave a homeless man my lunch, my mom got mad at me because she said he could have taken me but in the end she was happy because I helped him. I couldn’t solve a problem and I was sad, but then I got help by family members and I felt happy. Immigration took my dad when I was seven or eight and I didn’t see him for almost a year, I was scared, sad, depressed, angry, lonely, and terrified, when I was around ten I realized that this made me stronger and now I see this as a positive experience, my dad is back and healthy

and that makes me excited, happy, grateful, and blessed. When I came home after school I was too tired to do my homework and I was just watching tv and being on my phone and when I thought about having homework it was late, but I also didn’t want to miss that assignment so I did it last minute, next time I’ll do it as soon as I get home. The time I’m describing is when I didn’t really like someone for years and then after a while I became friends with them and it turned into a positive time because I realized that people change. When I didn’t do a part of my homework and when I went to school if we did that part we would get into trouble. When me and my friend got into a fight for no reason and then the next day we forgave each other. I saw someone getting bullied but I saw someone else step in the bully picked on both of them, then I stepped in and told a teacher then the bully left them alone. When I was about five, I had to move from a wonderful place to come to Arizona and felt terrible, but now I see it has a way to get to know new places. I was on my tablet then my mom took it away and told me to do my homework, then I didn’t get in trouble the next day. When I was about two or three I was taken from my mom, eight years later I finally saw her and it was good. Something I perceived as negative was pulling weeds, but I learned that it builds character. When I got signed up for a program called ATA I didn’t want to go, but I started and liked it and was happy. I used to hate it when my parents made me go to sleep early now I’m happy that I sleep early because I wake up earlier and I’m not late to school. A time I was mad when my mom told me to sleep early and I didn’t want to but later I saw that it was for my own good. When I was playing basketball and I lost a tournament and I was mad but over time I realized that failure is ok but not trying is not, so I learned from it. At first I got sad because my best friend was leaving, then I got happy because I knew that it was a part of life and my parents were right behind me.

®

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

Funded By: Kemper & Ethel Marley Foundation Location: Kenilworth Elementary %Male 37

%Female 63

Dates: August 24-26, 2015

Ages 12-14

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

Pre %YES 92 %NO 4 %Other 4 Post %YES 96 %NO 0 %Other 4 I think everyone has fear by something. / I think it all depends some people are different from others.

Yes I do think older people have the same fear as I do.

Rate this statement: You feel comfortable speaking in front of others.

Pre % Not at all 11 % Sometimes 78 % All the Time 11 Post % Not at all 15 % Sometimes 74 % All the Time 11 Rate this statement: I believe I can make my hopes and/or dreams come true.

Pre % Not at all 4 % Sometimes 63 % All the Time 33 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 37 % All the Time 63 Rate this statement: I respect my own decisions even when dealing with peer pressure.

Pre % Not at all 8 % Sometimes 59 % All the Time 41 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 37 % All the Time 63 Complete this statement: I am trustworthy and see myself as a __. Follower, Equal, Leader Pre % Follower 0 % Equal 85 % Leader 15 Post % Follower 0 % Equal 70 % Leader 30 Have you ever been bullied? % Yes 26 % No 70 % No Answer 4 I don’t remember, not that I know of.

Have you ever seen someone being bullied? % Yes 63 % No 37 % No Answer 0 Did you do anything? % Yes 37 % No 44 % No Answer 19 Did you learn something in the workshop that will help you deal with bullying?

Post % Yes 92 % No 8 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: Everyone is different. / By learning how to cooperate. / I should help if someone is being bullied. / Yes, don’t judge people just by their looks now their story first. / Because I already know if I see someone being bullied I would help them. / There’s no point, everyone’s different. / To speak up and say stop. / I learned to respect others and we are all different. / Always help someone who needs help. / To understand others. / Learning how they feel. / To not judge anybody because we learned a lot about each other. / To not judge people. / I learned that everyone has at least one thing in common so you can’t judge. / Yes, I did because I learned that people have the same feelings and instead of being mean you can be really good friends. / It help me deal with bullying. / I learned to help someone that is getting bullied. / I would try to help the person that is getting bullied. / Help the victim and bully release we are the same. / Because when I see it I can go tell a teacher to help. / That you should do something about it. / Help them realize we’re all the same.

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 would stand up for them. / By helping them out and telling them to stop. / To help them if they are they are hurt. / I would tell an adult. / I’ve always known to step up if someone is being bullied. / I would tell the bully to stop and stuff. / Yes I would try to stop it. / I would do something if I saw something getting bullied I would tell an adult. / I would tell an adult. / I would help them out and stop them. / I would tell a teacher. / I would help the person and tell the bully to stop. / Confront the bully and tell an adult. / I would stand up for them. / If I saw someone being bullied I would stand up for the victims. / Tell an adult that someone is being bullied. / I would go help them and tell a teacher. / I would help them. / I would go to the teacher or stand up to the bully. / Speak up for the ne being bullied. / Because if I get bullied, I might need help too. / I would tell an adult nearby. / Help out.

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

Post % Yes 92 % No 8 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: Working together. / Even if a thousand people tell me to do it I won’t. / They helped me not to give up. / Yes, listen to yourself not what everyone else says. / Now I respect my own decisions even more now. / Kind of. / I sometimes do things on peer pressure. / I learned that making your own decisions you should really think about it first. / To be kind to others. / Mental prep. / By doing the paper about our dreams and we talked about it. / Believe in your choices. / I learned everyone has their own opinion. / I learned many things but what I learned the most is to respect and to take responsibility for your own actions. / I knew how to have respect. / I learned to be happy with the decisions I make. / I did learn respect and responsibility. / Yes, I learned to not judge people based on their looks. / I am equal to everyone. / Because I respect my classmates and I am responsible. / That we should stick together and trust others. / I am a unique person.

What do you think about color?

What % gave more thought and shared them about color.

Pre 70% Post 96% Thoughts Shared: Pre: I think it gives life to things and help me see it more clear. / I think that color can change the way an object is seen. / I think that colors can express people’s feelings and hope. / What I think about color is that even if someone’s a different color it doesn’t mean they’re mean or nice just by their color. / To me color really doesn’t matter. / When I think about color nothing really comes to mind. / I have actually thought about color in a weird way. I just think color is a form of decoration. / What I think about color is that color is something that points out something. For example, a drawing or a painting. / What I think color is something that can be seen in anything. From colors to skin color. / What I think about color is that red means mad and blue means sad. / I think colors are beautiful. And no I never thought about it. / When I think about color I noticed ther’s a thousand color that aren’t recognized. / I actually have never thought about color in my life. / I like all the colors. / Well for me color doesn’t matter, we are all human beings. / No I have not ever thought about color. When I do I think of colors of things. / No not really. / I don’t really think about the color of people. / I think color doesn’t exist, it is the way the light reflects off it. Your eyes also trick you. / Everyone has own taste. / I think color defines us and makes us who we are. / What I think about color is that it represents how we look at something and how we feel. / I think color is beautiful it can express how you feel and what you think. / I think color is a meaning to people’s feelings like blue means sad. / I think color can represent mood, feelings, or the way you see someone.

Post: It can mean many diverse things. / I think it’s pretty cool to color with paint. / What I learned was that there are no favorite colors or not favorite. / That color has meaning of other things. / I think that color can change the mood of everything. / I learned that color is everywhere and it can get you through. / Colors are a way to show your feelings. / I learned that color can come from songs. / That colors are used for everything. / No. / What I learned about color is that there are many ways to express yourself. / Anything I can think about has color. / That everything has a color with it. / I learned different music has its own color. / Color is expressed in many ways. / I like colors. / Color can be anything you want it to be. / What I think about color is that it doesn’t matter what color it is we don’t need to judge it. / Color can express feelings. / Different color can be different. / That there are no favorites. / It’s about its function. / I learned that color speaks to you in many different ways. / I think about personalities. / Colors can express stuff. / Colors can also be heard.

My most important hope or dream is. . .

What % gave more thought to their Dreams becoming reality.

Pre 81% Post 89% Thoughts Shared: Pre: My most important dream is to go to college on a full athletic scholarship. / My most important hope or dream is to be able to be support my family when I grow up. / Is to finish school. / My most important hope is to go to school and then get a good job and live good. / I don’t think I have one. / My dream is to go to Harvard, Yale, and to graduate as highest honors. / My most important dream is to become a civil engineer. / My most important dream is to be a surgeon. / My most important hope or dream is going to college and getting a good job. / My most important hope/dream is to become a competitive driver. / What I dream is to be a better student. / My most important hope or dream to be a nurse when I grow and do good in life. / My most important hope or dream is to become something better than I am now. / I don’t have a hope or dream. / I don’t have a hope or dream yet. / For me in my opinion I just want life like how it was before no technology, bad people, drugs, etc. / My hope or dream is to finish school, go to college, and graduate. / To become a doctor. / My most important hope or dream is to success in life. / Is to become an actress. / My dream is to become a famous singer. / I want to go to space and learn many things. / My most important dream is to grow up to be doctor. I’ve always wanted to be one since I was 5. / My most important hope or dream is to graduate from college. / My most important hope or dream is to go to college and get a good job so I can help my parents.

Post: To become big. / Is to finish high school, go to college and graduate. / I don’t know yet. / I would like to become a singer, actress or model. / Graduate from college and high school get a job. / To become an architect. / Game designer. / To work as an engineer for NASA. / To be successful and have a good job. / My hope or dream is to be a game designer. / To be a PA or MD. / To be a movie star. / To go to college on a full athletic scholarship. / I want to be a doctor (pediatrician). / To have a goal to work to. / My most important hope or dream is going to high school and college and being successful in life. / Being determined. / To go to college. / To have a house and not be poor or become a professional basketball player. / To become a vet. / A dream is to go to college. / My most important hope is to graduate college, and get a high paying job. / To go to college. / Is to become a doctor. / To become a neurologists. / My most important hope or dream is going to college and getting a good job.

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

Thoughts Shared: Being positive and hardworking. / Never give up and to keep trying. / To believe in myself. / One thing I learned to never give up and not listen to negative energy. / Well, pay attention to school do what I am suppose to do. / To not give in to pressure. / To not give up. / How to express myself. / Is to never give up on your dreams. / To understand one another. / I don’t know. / Don’t stop believing in yourself. / To never give up and respect my own decisions. / You can do anything you put your mind to. / I will have to work hard. / One thing I learned in the workshop is to grab that dream and never let it go. / Be determined. / Is to keep on going. / Is to respect my peers and talk loud for audience. / Was to learn more about care for each other. / One thing I learned is I will need time to do it. / I learned that to achieve my dream, I must be determined. / Is to know that everyone’s equal. / Is to learn and stay in school. / To be confident. / One thing is to keep on trying and keep and not give up.

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: I wanted to work on citizenship and it helped a bit. / Shyness gave me a chance to share out loud. / My insecurities. / I wanted to work on encouragement and RTF gave me a lot. / Respect, trustworthy, responsible, being helpful. / Participation helped me do more. / Caring and respecting others. / Responsibility it didn’t really help. / Being responsible and it helped me because in groups we had to be responsible. / I wanted to get better at talking in front of crowds but it didn’t work. / Considering other people’s ideas. / Teamwork because we did activities to help with it. / I want to work on my consideration I learned that everyone is the same in some way and not to judge. / Caring and kindness it taught me about peer pressure. / To look at life in a different way. / Respect I won’t judge. / They helped me. / I want to learn on responsibility so I can be trustworthy. / Learned how to talk to more people. / It helped me by being able to share my fears and get through it. / I wanted to improve on responsibility and I believe I didn’t improve. / Speak inn public it help me by speaking with classmates. / It helped to be confident in yourself. / Be confident it helped a lot. / One is to speaking more in front of people, I improved it by me talking more in class. / I wanted to improve my confidence and I did.

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 many other students wanted to be something big in the future. / We have different opinions. / I learned everyone’s fear. / I learned a lot of people have traveled out of the US. / Well, I learned how they woke up the fear, dreams, and a little bit about themselves. / I learned about their fears like Nicholas fear is of heights. / Dominic is afraid of dying. / A lot of people have the same fear. / I learned that a lot of people were scared of heights. / Sam is claustrophobic and a lot of people are afraid of dolls. / We have similar fears. / That they have the same fear as me. / I learned that we all can be friends and not just classmates. / Samia is afraid of dolls, Jaymee is afraid of hell. /To not give up on anything not even yourself. / They have the same fears. / I learned that most of my classmates are afraid of the dark. / I learned other people have fears and dreams. / That we have to respect each other. / I learned that my classmates have the same fears as me and I can go to them for help. / I learned that one of my friends wants to be an architect. / They have the same fears as me. / That we are all different. / We have similar fears. / That we are all similar and different in some ways. / That everyone is different.

Thanks to Kemper & Ethel Marley Foundation, 13 young lives from Adobe Mountain Juvenile: Unit Challenger experienced their Possibilities.

This workshop took place on August 24-26, 2015. - #13 of 15 Opening up possibilities for the young minds of Arizona’s youth for a brighter tomorrow.©

“Bridging Possibility” workshops.

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

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

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

These responses are written in their words without edit.

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

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

Who am I? : Relating to others, understanding intellectual level, raising respect for others. / Unity, empathy, brotherhood. Get along with others. Know you have common interests. By being able to associate with people from all walks of life. / That we all have different issues, but resolve them the same way. To see how others react to certain things. I don’t feel like it does. It shows we aren’t alone. / Not being the victim. Not getting bullied. Don’t listen to them. Be your own boss.

Creative Storytelling: How to use the pillars of character, use every pillar in school, ties into morals and ethics. / Teamwork, real-life practical applications, group assignments, anti-bullying. Knowing how to act in real life, make me be likeable and successful person. / Representation, it demonstrates what a good citizen is. It can show how others feel in a certain situation. It showed me to be responsive. / Caring. Stick up for friends. Caring for the victims. Show respect.

Through the Hoops: It show to it work in different circumstances together. To people in need. You can stick up for one another. It shows how to earn other people. / Teamwork. Help others what they have problems with. Showing people that you could do it. Needing help with jobs, school, family, sports. / Teamwork/cooperation. Getting along with others/technique. Knowing the best way to handle things. Knowing the best way to get things done in a group setting. / Teamwork. Help each other with work like if on don’t know math. Some who is good it can help you. Communicating can prevent fights. Helping others that need help.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: Self love. Less likely to fall into P.P. Above the influence, confidence. Motivation. / That I matter. I learn to respect myself. Having self-respect/respecting others. Being able to stand up for others for myself. Believing in myself to do anything I put my mind to.

Mirror Work: Look at Yourself in the eyes (ONLY) and tell yourself that you love or like yourself just the way you are. Cute that’s it. / Makes me good. / Good! Cool! / Good. / Happy. / Happy. / Ashamed. / Yes. It makes me feel mad. It also makes me feel happy. / Positive self-talk, loved. / It makes me appreciate myself. / It makes me feel great. / Happy, lovable, sexy. / Good, happy.

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 cause she’s strong and brave and taught me a lot. Honest, loyal, love. / Christ. He is my savior. Slow to anger with unending love. / Mother cuz she’s been there for me and brang me to this world. All. / Grandpa. He was there my whole life. Everything that a hero needs. / Grandma. Good role model. Leadership. / Mom. They’re family. Always is there for me. / Big sister. My role model. Leadership. / I don’t really have a hero, I’ve never looked up to someone besides myself.

Dependability, leadership, charisma, honesty. / My grandfather. They help me They are love all around people them. / My dad. He provides for me and is a Christian. Responsibility, trustworthiness, caring. / Falcao. A Columbian soccer player. They believe in god, they make a difference. / Myself. Cause it’s me. Strong, brave, driven, and funny. / My sister Lupita. Because she was always there for me, I could always count on her no matter what. / My mom because she has always been there. Because they mean the world to me. Leadership, proud, responsible.

Seeing Beyond: Descriptiveness. Helps in writing. Seeing beyond & every detail. / All because imagination will expand your learning potential. By being able to plan things out in my head. / Asking question. Everything. You can learn more stuff. / To use our mind. It teaches you to use imagination in writing. It build mind skills.

Drawing one’s Fear’s, Hopes and Dreams and Sharing: How to express myself. By expressing myself. To show we have fears (we’re not alone). To communicate with others. / Sharing. You can represent. Standing up for yourself. Speaker. / Associating color with my thoughts. Associate with other kids. Build up a force that is against bullying. Giving me a more visual mentality with color. / Everyone has different talent and goals is not stuff. You could use everyone’s skills. / Help you get out the situation. Help them work together. It’s like goals what you have planned out for life.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: Trust your instincts. To do the right thing to do. To express yourself. / Listen to my intuition. Test-taking. Listen to 1st instinct. Following my instincts.

Give an example of hen you did listen to your Intuition or Inner Voice. What was the result of listening and following that Intuition? I was walking into a convenient store and I was going to steal a bag of chips. Always listen to our instinct. / There was this one time a friend wanted to pick me up in a stolen truck and I said “No” and when he drove away he got pulled over, he’s in adult jail now. Always listen to our conscious. / Ditching school and got in trouble. Don’t ditch. / It got me into trouble. That you learn from your mistakes. Learn from it. / Getting arrested for running from police. Analyze a better meaning from my inner voice. / When I was stealing from a house. To not steal. / When I was cheating on a test. To not cheat. / When I take a test, I always listen to my first instinct, because that’s usually the right answer. It’s usually best to listen to your intuition. / When I decided to tell the truth. I should follow me intuition. / When I made a bad I thought about what I should do or not. Don’t do it without thinking about it. / I was stealing. To not steal. / I listen to my inner voice when I was abused. I was adopted. You can trust your inner voice. / My inner voice told me to smoke a bowl so I did. I ended up here. Not to smoke until I have a green card. / When I was thinking about doing something bad, but I didn’t do it ‘cause I thought what was I doing. Not do it again ‘cause it would get me into a bad situation. / When I was in school and I listened. I can learn.

Funded By: Kemper & Ethel Marley Foundation Location: Adobe Mountain Unit: Challenger %Male 100

%Female 0

Dates: August 24-26, 2015

Ages 15-17

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

Pre %YES 69 %NO 31 %Other 0 Post %YES 85 %NO 15 %Other 0 Rate this statement: You feel comfortable speaking in front of others.

Pre % Not at all 31 % Sometimes 46 % All the Time 23 Post % Not at all 29 % Sometimes 38 % All the Time 38 Rate this statement: I believe I can make my hopes and/or dreams come true.

Pre % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 38 % All the Time 62 Post % Not at all 8 % Sometimes 8 % All the Time 81 Rate this statement: I respect my own decisions even when dealing with peer pressure.

Pre % Not at all 8 % Sometimes 46 % All the Time 46 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 24 % All the Time 76 Complete this statement: I am trustworthy and see myself as a __. Follower, Equal, Leader Pre % Follower 0 % Equal 15 % Leader 85 Post % Follower 0 % Equal 15 % Leader 85 Have you ever been bullied? % Yes 54 % No 46 Have you ever seen someone being bullied? % Yes 69 % No 31 Did you do anything? % Yes 69 % No 16 % No Answer 15 Did you learn something in the workshop that will help you deal with bullying?

Post % Yes 69 % No 31 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: Leadership. / I’ve always thought about bullying the same. / To work as a team. / Not to hit back. / Kids that don’t fight. / Be smart and don’t bother with it. / We’re all equal. / That I can conquer bullying. / I don’t get bullied.

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: The right thing. / Yes I would have before as well. / Tell staff. / To stand up. / I don’t like seeing kids picking at each other. / Depends. / Tell the bully to stop. / Because they’ll do the same.

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

Post % Yes 77 % No 23 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: I’ve never really been affected by peer pressure. / Always listen to conscious. / Not to anything when under pressure. / Teamwork. / Respect others. / I don’t listen to others.

What do you think about color?

What % gave more thought and shared them about color.

Pre 85% Post 77% Thoughts Shared: Pre: Color has plenty of meaning. I even dress according to my mood by color. / That is trippy. / I love black. / It’s pretty. / Que estan suaves todos los colores. / That it doesn’t matter. / Color is not a problem. / I think that color means we all are the same and all color are different. / It doesn’t matter to me. / No not really. Well it is ok. / I like diversity. Colors are nice. / Color helps us express our emotions because there is a color that corresponds with everything.

Post: Its important. / Style. / I appreciate diversity. / Color is all the same in a way. / That is color. / Color can mean anything. / Cool. / Its cool. / Color can mean anything. / It speaks.

My most important hope or dream is. . .

What % gave more thought to their Dreams becoming reality.

Pre 100% Post 100% Thoughts Shared: Pre: Being a musician and to make it out of the hood. / Being tattoo artist. / Being a dancer. / Be free. / Salir adelante con mu familia. / To be a great dad. / My dream is to be an auto mac. / To work as a person who works on cars and dirt bikes. / I hope that I can be a big brother to my sister and always in her life. / To be with my kids. / To play college ball. / To be a good father, and to get my own house with my girl. / Become a minister and get out of adobe. / Becoming a marine. / Be confident in myself.

Post: Being happy. / Being a marine. / To be there for my family. / Become a designer. / Get out of here, do good. / To be a dancer. / Being with my kids and family. / Being a good dad. / Love. / Get a job in construction. / To go to the marine core or a rapper. / Making it out of the hood. / Tattoo artist.

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

Thoughts Shared: I can do anything. / Leadership. / To trust my instinct. / That I’m able to do it.

It’s possible. / Never get. / Work in teamwork. / To treat others I like I want. / Unity. / I’m able to do it. / Omnipotency. / Believe in myself.

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

Post 77% discovered something in the workshop to improve their Character Count.

Thoughts Shared: Yes. / Caring. It helped me relate. / It kinda did not help. / Yes. / Responsibility, didn’t hardly help me. / Teaching me. / Staying out of trouble. / Respect. It made me respect my peers. / It helped me interact. / Respect. I don’t think it did. / Respect.

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 have the same common. / We relate in many ways. / That everyone is the same in different ways or the same. / They also have struggles. / That they overcame their fear. / To work with others and help them out. / Same as me. / That we might have the same fear. / You might have something in common. / That we all same in a way. / Yes. / Some people have a lot of problems like me. / They’re not alone.

Thanks to Kemper & Ethel Marley Foundation, 14 young lives from Adobe Mountain Juvenile Detention Center: Unit Voyager experienced their Possibilities.

This workshop took place on August 24-26, 2015. - #14 of 15 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 16-17.

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? : Honesty, courage, upsetting. Watch teacher. Getting education. / I learned that we all have similar situations. Make friends easier. Talk to someone to get to know him. Because you don’t judge people. / Communication. Talk to others or peers. When I talk to my teachers. Getting to know people. Being more open.

Creative Storytelling: How to work together. Helps u talk or in a group. Look at it differently. Help u in different situations. / To act out and be brave. To help speak in front of new people. To stand up for the person! It will build character by helping you be social. / Using teamwork and displaying the character traits in real life situations. Working in groups, helping your peers and giving and receiving positive feedback. It helps us get along. It helps to communicate with people.

Through the Hoops: To use teamwork. To ask for help. Your gonna tell someone about it. Cuz you won’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. / Team work, working together, can’t do everything alone. If you are in a group you have to work together to get the assignment done. You wouldn’t get bullied because they have your back. Because you are going to need to work with people to get some things done. / Teamwork. Communication skills. You’ll have communications skills. You’ll have skills to work with.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: Being happy with myself. Not following a crowd. You won’t give in to it as fasil. Appreciating yourself to move forward. / Learn to love yourself. Not all into peer pressure. You feel good about yourself. Make you push forward and never look down on yourself. / Confidence in yourself. Speaking in front of others. Following your own decisions. Building confidence.

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 happy. / It makes me feel confident about myself. / I look good. Make me feel good. / No special feeling. / Makes me feel good about myself. / I feel great. / It makes me feel great.

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, They are my mom. People that are motivated. / Because she has been here for me since day one and showed she has cared. Love, care. / I’m happy. Because they are good. / I don’t have one. Someone who is perfect but no one is perfect. / My mom is my hero. She raised me and my siblings by herself. She is brave and strong I admire her. She is my hero. / I think they’re important because they influence my life and how I am now. Respect, always on point, have his up high. / My hero is my mom. Because she brought me to this world and she’s showed me to be strong. Strong, positive, trustworthy. / My mom. She’s my mom. Selflessness. / My son. Cu he came into my life and turned it around. / My dog cuz he was a good dog and he protected me. Cuz he was a good dog to me. I don’t look for qualities.

Seeing Beyond: Staying on task and thinking hard. Imagining. / Assertiveness, specific, descriptive.

This skill would apply because you have to let people know exactly what you mean writing because you have to be exact. By letting people know exactly what you want of need. / To look beyond the ordinary. English so your mind can explore and be creative. To be open to do things for success!

Drawing one’s Fear’s, Hopes and Dreams and Sharing: Struggle to express. Same fear.

Confidence. How to color. Help you do the right thing. You can stick up for others. You can know what you want. Don’t put people down. / Makes you think ok what you want and don’t. Helps you be honest. To see where I want to go. / To be creative about our dreams. So you can follow your dreams. To let go of grudges. Understanding what you want in life and what you gotta do to work for it. / Awareness. Learned how to draw. It really won’t help out. Drawing pictures will show me ways to express myself.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: How to process. Being open. Choosing the right way. / To listen to your inner voice so you can make better decisions. To go with your conscious About things.

To make better decisions.

Give an example of hen you did listen to your Intuition or Inner Voice. What was the result of listening and following that Intuition? When I lost my lady and I will always say to myself that I will get her back I just gotta change what she didn’t like about me and I did get the love of my life back. Sometimes you got to sacrifice 1 thing for the thing you want the most in life. / When I was gonna smoke but said no and learned it will turn out positive. To listen to my inner voice more. / Oh uh when I was gonna go sell and my inner voice told me not to do it and I didn’t. To listen to your inner voice and trust yourself. / I was trying to stay sober a couple of years ago but I convinced myself to smoke. Not to smoke anymore because I go to jail. / My inner voice said to not smoke and I didn’t. If I listen to it more, I’ll do better things. / When parole team was at my door. Brought me back to Adobe. I have no clue. / I don’t have a time. / One time was when I wanted to steal something but the something was telling me not to. To trust your heart. / When I was out and gotten drunk and didn’t follow my intuition. That I should learn how to follow my intuition. / Listen to positive feedback. To listen more. / I listened where I was gonna go out but I didn’t. I didn’t violate. To start listening to my voice more. / My inner voice told me to steel so I did. I can learn to not always listen to my inner voice. / Never. / I was going to go outside and something told me stay inside and then I heard there was a shootout. Sometimes it is good to listen to your inner voice. / I could of got in bigger trouble then I am if I did do it. That is you go in the positive side of you its better.

Funded By: Kemper & Ethel Marley Foundation Location: Adobe Mountain Unit: Voyager %Male 100

%Female 0

Dates: August 24-26, 2015

Ages 16-17

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

Pre %YES 50 %NO 30 %Other 20 Rate this statement: You feel comfortable speaking in front of others.

Pre % Not at all 10 % Sometimes 70 % All the Time 20 Post % Not at all 7 % Sometimes 43 % All the Time 50 Rate this statement: I believe I can make my hopes and/or dreams come true.

Pre % Not at all 27 % Sometimes 50 % All the Time 50 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 29 % All the Time 71 Rate this statement: I respect my own decisions even when dealing with peer pressure.

Pre % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 10 % All the Time 90 Complete this statement: I am trustworthy and see myself as a __. Follower, Equal, Leader Pre % Follower 0 % Equal 30 % Leader 70 Have you ever been bullied? % Yes 40 % No 60 Have you ever seen someone being bullied? % Yes 100 % No 0 % No Answer 0 Did you do anything? % Yes 30 % No 50 % No Answer 20 I do not feel alone in my feelings and feel that others understand me.

Post 79% agree that they are not alone in their feelings and that others understand them.

My time in the workshop was well spent and I had fun.

Post 64% discovered something new and agree they had fun in the workshop.

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

Post % Yes 70 % No 30 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: No. / Don’t do it. / Don’t give in. / I usually do not give in anyway. / It is my choice. / Peer pressure is a big thing. / I can’t. / Not really. / Coping skills.

What do you think about color?

What % gave more thought and shared them about color.

Pre 70% Thoughts Shared: Pre: It’s a shade. / It’s a way to express your feeling in a way. / I think color is good for identifying. / It’s majestic. / It brings emotion and moods. / I think color is just to help us tell the difference between things. / Bright. / It’s color. / No I have not thought about color.

My most important hope or dream is. . .

What % gave more thought to their Dreams becoming reality.

Pre 100% Thoughts Shared: Pre: Finish school and become a chef and hopefully in a couple years open up a restaurant. / My dreams are to go into the military. / Is to become a psychologist and be successful. / To stay out of prison. / To make my mom proud. / To become a better changed person. / Own business. / Get into the music industry. / Mechanic. / I want to become an underwater welder.

One thing I learned in workshop that will help me reach my dream is: Post 93% discovered something new in the workshop.

Thoughts Shared: I learned more self control. / Being positive. / Teamwork. / That knowing other people’s fear will help you feel more comfortable with your own and avoid them. / Communication, respect, knowledge. / I learned teamwork. / Stay focused. / To release my fear. / Keep trying and don’t let nobody get in the way. / Don’t be afraid to ask for help. / I learned that it not too late to reach your dream. I already got the love of my life back. I just need to stop getting locked up for dumb reasons. / I love myself and can do anything. / To stay with my goals.

Did you learn anything that would help you improve your communication skills?

Post 71% discovered something in the workshop to improve their Character Count.

Thoughts Shared: Respect. / How to be assertive. / I got good communication skills already. / I already communicate well. / Respect help me not get in trouble.

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

Thanks to Kemper & Ethel Marley Foundation, 10 young lives from The New Foundation experienced their Possibilities.

This workshop took place on September 4-7, 2015 - # 15 of 15 Opening up possibilities for the young minds of Arizona’s youth for a brighter tomorrow.©

“Bridging Possibility” workshops.

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

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

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

These responses are written in their words without edit.

The following responses are from the students who range in ages from 11-17 The students are asked to reflect on the following question: How do you think this activity could help you in your daily life (In School, Out of School, or In Your Career)?

Who am I? : To not judge people. There are different people in school. We are more similar than we think. Show respect/life skills. / To acknowledge differences in each other. We realize we are alike and we realize we shouldn’t judge one another. To realize that I am not alone.

Creative Storytelling: People believe in hope, some do not. Share feelings. To end it all with hope.

Hope for the future. / Hopeful. Help with bullies, help with school. Think there will be better days. If you’re hopeful you’ll be happier.

Through the Hoops: Teamwork. Teach us to work together. Helps to conquer fears. Helps us to conquer challenges in life. / Teamwork. Helps with your projects. If you have people who support you, it is easier to get through. You will be working with people all your life.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: Mirror Work: Look at Yourself in the eyes (ONLY) and tell yourself that you love or like yourself just the way you are. Happy, caring, brave. / I haven’t been able to look myself in the eyes for days. /It makes me feel closer to myself. / Confident, 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? Sean, They are cool, they are cool under pressure. They are rolemodels, they are leaders. Role model, loyalty, faithful, respect, integrity, resilient, good looking. / A nice person

who is funny and whom everyone likes. / Cool funny brave kind strong. / They help me with life. Help me with my problems. / Iron Man helps people. / They mean to me so much. Brave fearless Drawing one’s Fear’s, Hopes and Dreams and Sharing: What our fears are. Realize we have dreams. Everyone has fears and we need a little help. Will make us more respectful. / Being here for help, it’s good to know what those care about. To create goals. It helps you know what you want.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: To make you feel Glorious. Being a nice person, being trustworthy. So you know what to do in future situations. / It makes you feel good when people trust you. So your teachers can trust you. So people can trust you.

Write about a time when you were trustworthy or caring and helped someone else in a positive way. How did it feel afterward? Describe the experience below. Then draw a picture on the back of what the experience looked like: I helped a staff after a stressful phone call. It made me feel awesome. / I was trustworthy and caring to a friend that accidently broke a window and I promised him that I will stay with him. He even needed to get checked in and he listened and I felt glorious about it. / I wasn’t in track but I helped clean up after a meet. / I stopped a girl from running into a wall. / When Eric was isolating himself, I brought the group to him so that we can all work as a team. I felt that I needed to take initiative to get the job done.

Color: Feelings involving colors. Paints a picture in your head. See things differently. / People have different perspectives. People will learn differently. To accept people.

Overall what is something new you learned about yourself and/or others in your group that you will take with you : Not to judge, we are all alike. / That people are different and you have to learn how to accept that.

®

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

Funded By: Kemper & Ethel Marley Foundation Location: The New Foundation %Male 100

Dates: September 4-7, 2015

%Female 0 Ages 11-17

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

Pre %YES 67 %NO 33 %Other 0 Post %YES 67 %NO 33 %Other 0 Rate this statement: You feel comfortable speaking in front of others.

Pre % Not at all 11 % Sometimes 78 % All the Time 11 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 88 % All the Time 12 Rate this statement: I believe I can make my hopes and/or dreams come true.

Pre % Not at all 33 % Sometimes 55 % All the Time 12 Post % Not at all 12 % Sometimes 55 % All the Time 33 Rate this statement: I respect my own decisions even when dealing with peer pressure.

Pre % Not at all 22 % Sometimes 45 % All the Time 33 Post % Not at all 12 % Sometimes 55 % All the Time 33 Complete this statement: I am trustworthy and see myself as a __. Follower, Equal, Leader Pre % Follower 33 % Equal 12 % Leader 55 Post % Follower 33 % Equal 0 % Leader 67 Have you ever been bullied? % Yes 55 % No 33 % No Answer 12 Have you ever seen someone being bullied? % Yes 67 % No 33 % No Answer 0 Did you do anything? % Yes 33 % No 45 % No Answer 22 Did you learn something in the workshop that will help you deal with bullying?

Post % Yes 67 % No 33 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: Everyone’s going through something. / Self explanatory. / I’ll never be bullied. / We are all experiencing new things.

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

Post % Yes 88 % No 12 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: I try and help people. / Depends on how I’m feeling. / Absolutely. / Only because of my belief. / Yes I would love to help.

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: Using my senses. / Respect. / Just ignore negative peer.

What do you think about color?

What % gave more thought and shared them about color.

Pre 67% Post 67% Thoughts Shared: Pre: How you are feeling like emotions. / Purple. / I don’t think about people’s color. / Color is beautiful. / Every color is equal, I believe everyone deserves the same rights. / No. / I love colors. / I think color does not define who you are.

Post: Color could be feelings and action. / Color is beautiful. / Shows emotions. / Color is a color, nothing. / I think the same as I thought 96 hours ago when the workshop began. / Color has always been beautiful. / Songs have color.

My most important hope or dream is. . .

What % gave more thought to their Dreams becoming reality.

Pre 88% Post 78% Thoughts Shared: Pre: I want to be a part of a Seal Team. / To join the army. / Is to go home. / Become a cop. / None. / To help others. / Graduate. / I want to be a vet. / Being home with my family, mom, dad, sisters, brothers, step dad and real dad.

Post: To get out of here soon. / To become a cop. / To graduate, be a state champion. / To help everyone on Earth. / To join the marines. / To be a good father to my kids. / To help animals.

One thing I learned in workshop that will help me reach my dream is: Post 56% discovered something new in the workshop.

Thoughts Shared: Think of colors. / Perseverance. / Is to work on me. / Be trustworthy to get far. / I will probably have to face my fear.

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 22% discovered something in the workshop to improve their Character Count.

Thoughts Shared: By breathing in and out. /That I am creative.

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

Post 67% discovered something new about classmates or friends in the workshop Thoughts Shared: Su thinks there’s hope. / These are things that are today, socially inferred. / My peers are creative. / Some people have been bullied like me. / Some are similar. / That they have most of the same problems as me. / Some people can do stuff I could not do and they are creative.

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

.

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

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

Thank you Kemper & Ethel Marley Foundation for the opportunity to be

able to train more trainers and expand the reach of to more of our communities youth 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.

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 l