Oct 15 2015 final report walton family foundation 3 workshops

2015 REPORT

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Thank you Walton Family 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 . .

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Thanks to the generosity and foresight Walton Family Foundation for help to shift young lives to a more positive path. This is the Final Report of 3 different workshops at Florence Crittenton making a difference in 73 young lives and what they experienced through the "Bridging Possibilities" Character Education program.

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

I have had a great example of what I have learned is that we are truly beautiful just the way we are and that we can make the best out of what we have- AB

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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. That is an impressive impact on any child’s future as well as the community in general.

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 (%)

RELEASE THE FEAR 2015 RTF Pre/Post Survey Results

The Walton Family Foundation OVERALL PERCENTAGES 73 Students (3 BP Workshops) Male 0% Female 100% – Youth Ages 12-17 82.3% discovered something new about themselves 88.7% discovered something new about classmates and friends.

Pre 69.7% compared to Post 78.3% realized that they are not alone in their fears.

Pre 94% compared to Post 97% realized that they can make their dreams a reality.

90.3% learned something to help them deal with bullying.

95.7% stated that they would do something if they saw someone being bullied.

Individual Workshop Percentages 1. March 13-20 2015 Florence Crittenton 26 Students (1 IO-BP Workshops) Male 0% Female 100% – Youth Ages 12-17 92% discovered something new about themselves 88% discovered something new about classmates and friends.

Pre 57% compared to Post 81% realized that they are not alone in their fears.

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

92% learned something to help them deal with bullying.

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

2. August 3-5 2015 Florence Crittenton 21 Students (1 IO-BP Workshops) Male 0% Female 100% – Youth Ages 12-17 71% discovered something new about themselves 90% discovered something new about classmates and friends.

Pre 86% compared to Post 81% realized that they are not alone in their fears.

Pre 86% compared to Post 95% realized that they can make their dreams a reality.

91% learned something to help them deal with bullying.

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

3. October 6-8 2015 Florence Crittenton 26 Students (1 IO-BP Workshops) Male 0% Female 100% – Youth Ages 12-17 84% discovered something new about themselves 88% discovered something new about classmates and friends.

Pre 66% compared to Post 73% realized that they are not alone in their fears.

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

88% learned something to help them deal with bullying.

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

Youth Inspired Over Eight Years Study

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

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

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

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

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

3.2 1.52 Learned Something About Bullying

Stated WOULD Do Something if Witnessed Bullying

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

Actural 3 programs

$680.00 $300.00

$2,040.00 $900.00

$150.00 $ 70.00

$450.00 $210.00

$ 90.00 $ 60.00

$310.00 $180.00

$300.00 $ 50.00

$900.00 $150.00

$1,700.00

Walton Family Foundation RTF

$5,140.00 $5,100.00 40.00

Cost Breakdown per workshop with average of 24youth each: Average cost per daily session: $566.67 Average cost per youth per session $23.61 Per Capita cost per youth workshop:$70.83 Florence Crittenton staff -6 hours X 3 staff = 36hour at adv. $30 per = $1,080.00 In-king

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

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

Thanks to The Walton Family, 26 young lives from Florence Crittenton experienced their Possibilities.

This workshop took place on March 13-20, 2015. #1 of 3 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? : Trust, honesty, courage. Being a leader/role model. Showing and being an example. Building a strong and mature personality. / Confidence, body language, open-mindedness, people relate. Less judgmental and try new things. Don’t judge people how they look. Opening up to people. /Mindfulness, respectful, optimistic. Being respectful. You wouldn’t be racist. It helps independentness. / People will open up and be honest. More social activity. More variety. I will gain positive traits.

Creative Storytelling: Stand up by yourself. No bullying. Stand up to bullying. Encouragement. / Teamwork, getting out of comfort zone. Meeting new people, doing new things. Being exposed to more types of people. You won’t be closed off. / Teamwork, empowerment, leadership. Lead to better education, respect for teachers and classmates. Leadership, being respectful, and treating people the way you want to be treated. Public speaking. / Opened our minds new to the words. Using the words like respect and honesty. You will understand the words. Using the good traits.

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

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Through the Hoops: Teamwork, effort. Work with other students. Team to anti-bullying. Effort acts you want in life. / Work together, no one is the same. Accepting people for how they are. Being able to work together. Team up against bullying. You can get through life. / Respect, teamwork, creativity. Working together, mindfulness. Respect instead of treating people like shit. Focusing on yourself in or as part of a group, teamwork. / To work as a team and be mindful. To work well with others. There’s no time to gossip because of working on activity. Socially you will build skills to work with others and solve things.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: Effort. Get good attitude. Team up positively on bully. Good social skills. / Self-awareness, self-esteem, optimism. Open-mindedness, willing to learn. Thinking you are worth more. Stronger as a person. / To self-motivate ourselves and realize we have supportive idols in our life.

Self-esteem overall. Self-confidence. Being able to build self-esteem, let negative things roll.

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 pretty and happy because I am me. / It makes me feel happy. / Scared and awkward. / Happy. / Happy, scared. / It makes me feel not perfect. I tend not to believe these sorts of things. / Relax and I’m just like the others beautiful. / Special, sexy, important. / It makes me feel kind of weird. / Weird, I have to get used to it. / Like a liar. / I felt good but conceited at the same time.

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?

Hillsong. Because they help me. Their music is meaningful and they inspire me. Six characteristics especially trustworthiness and honesty. / Because Sue is dear to me. Honesty. / Because they’ve always been there for me.

Honesty, love, caring, trusting, citizenship. / My hero is awesome. Because they help me through tough times. I really don’t know. / Mom. Because she is strong. Strength and careness. / Dad and mom. Because even though they’ve been in and out of my life, they mean the world to me. Reliability, trustworthiness. / Godmother. Dora my hero because she make me feel love. Dora, my godmother. Because they’re part of my life. Loyalty, honest, leadership. / Jai was on the X Factor and he is just amazing. Because he has the ability to make the most unspecial girl special.

Leadership, caring, adventurous, problem solver, courageous, understanding, compassionate. / My hero is important to me because she has helped me through a lot. Someone who is optimistic, proactive, responsible, respectful. / My sister Alicia and my mom. They are good citizens and respectful, kind, caring, loving, supportive, faithful, and just amazing. All of the above. / Austin. They saved my life. Honesty, compassion, empathy. / My girlfriend. She’s the most important person to me. She’s been through so much but never gives up she’s fighting for herself and her siblings. She’s always there for me and she let me in. Honesty, loyalty, love, trust, openness.

Drawing one’s Fear’s, Hopes and Dreams and Sharing: We’re not alone. We would stick together.

Communicate. Support. / Taking one crisis at a time, releasing fears, working on yourself first. Focus on school before social life. You don’t let them get the best of you. You’ll be more successful cuz you won’t become stressed. / Letting go isn’t as easy as it sounds. The fear of bullying or speaking to an audience.

Letting go of what has been said or done. Wouldn’t be a grudge holder. / Let go of your fears. Learn more, focus. If you’re scared of standing up for yourself. By trying my best and being successful in life.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: Fear holds us back. Encouragement. Motivated to do right thing. / Looking at the bright side of things, fake it til you make it. Look past bullying. Look at benefits of doing good in school. You’ll be happier cuz you’ll be more positive. / Learned to have self-confidence and selfawareness. Instead of thinking negatively. Won’t be afraid to reach goals and dream in life. / Letting go of things you are afraid of, worried of, anger, or anything you don’t like. More reflective of what’s going on.

More aware, letting go of things, and doing what you have to do.

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

My last adopted parents putting me back in CPS and now I have another chance to have the right forever family. / When I went to a treatment that is not in Arizona. I thought I wasn’t gonna discharge and I did! / My doses didn’t come. Pissed off. Extremely relieved and happy. / When I came to the hospital I was sad but then I decided to learn new things and it changed my perception of things and the rest of my time was good. / When I thought I had no friends. I was ugly. My thought was different. / I was being bullied so I defend others that are being bullied. / When I got home one day, my dad said he found out something today and I thought that I was in trouble but I wasn’t. My mom was pregnant with a baby boy. / I came back to Flo Crit which sucked at first but then I met the love of my life and because of that I wouldn’t change a single thing that’s ever happened to me cuz if anything changed I might not have found her.

Quotes from Flo Crit 10/8

I just wanted to thank you for coming here and helping us know our worth. Showing that we are never alone in our struggles, you guys will make a difference in a lot of lives- Melony Thank you all for taking time out of your day to come speak to us. It is really appreciated- Ashe’ Thank you for everything, I learned a lot- Arria Thank you for your time coming here, I got more comfortable talking in front of people- Mary Thanks for coming I had a lot of fun- Andrise Thank you for everything- Claudia I learned to have much more confidence, thank you so much- Meiei

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Funded By: The Walton Family Location: Florence Crittenton %Male 0

%Female 100

Dates: March 13-20, 2015

Ages 12-17

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

Pre %YES 57 %NO 31 %Other 12 Post %YES 81 %NO 15 %Other 4 Rate this statement: You feel comfortable speaking in front of others.

Pre % Not at all 23 % Sometimes 42 % All the Time 35 % No Answer 0 Post % Not at all 19 % Sometimes 46 % All the Time 31 % No Answer 4 Rate this statement: I believe I can make my hopes and/or dreams come true.

Pre % Not at all 4 % Sometimes 58 % All the Time 38 Post % Not at all 8 % Sometimes 42 % All the Time 50 Rate this statement: I respect my own decisions even when dealing with peer pressure.

Pre % Not at all 8 % Sometimes 58 % All the Time 30 % No Answer 4 Post % Not at all 12 % Sometimes 42 % All the Time 46 % No Answer 0 Complete this statement: I am trustworthy and see myself as a __. Follower, Equal, Leader Pre % Follower 4 % Equal 27 % Leader 69 Post % Follower 0 % Equal 27 % Leader 73 Have you ever been bullied? % Yes 85 % No 15 Have you ever seen someone being bullied? % Yes 96 % No 4 Did you do anything? % Yes 66 % No 15 % 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: Not let them consume my life, well being. / Be you. / Lots of people fear in being bullied like me. / To ignore them. / Standing up for yourself. / Stick up for what I think is right. / To speak up. / Not really because I deal with bullying good. / Keeping your self-confidence. / Because everybody needs somebody and it is not okay. / Speak up. / Not to take it. / Because it shows your true color or your personality. / Stand up. / How to speak up. / I don’t know who that is. / I learned to let go of my fears and taking a stand for myself and everyone and everything I love and believe in. / Ignore those who put you down. / Stand up for myself. / I’ve always known how to deal with it but now I feel more confident. / Accepting I have obstacles and other people have challenges like I do. / I learned that if you set the example and stand up again bullying, others will follow.

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

Post % Yes 100 % No 0 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: I would get support to help me stop them. / Yes. / Help them out because I know how it feels. / I would stand up for them. / It’s only right. / Yes I’ll help. / I would do something always. / I would tell the bully to stop or tell an adult who cares. / Because it is not okay for that person to do that. / I believe that I could stop bullying. / Because I was bullied. / Yes because when you have been bullied in the past, just think did someone help you? Would you do the same? / Kick some ass. / I would speak up. / Would back up the person who’s getting bullied. / I’d stand for them because they might still be trying to let go of their fears and if I help, I might help them let go of what’s holding them back. / Defend the person and tell the bully to knock it off. / Yes I think I would stand up for people. / I’d speak up about it. / Yes! Yes! It hurts me to see someone getting bullied. I will stand up and support them, which I do today. / I’ve always stood up for others but now I can influence others to do the same and help start a movement.

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

Post % Yes 81 % No 19 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: I am a leader and give myself expectations. / Stay focused on myself. / I wasn’t here. / Standing up. / By respecting myself. / Make what choice is right. / We did not talk about peer pressure. / My decision matters most to me. / Do my dreams come true? / Responsibility. / Yes because it is not all about peer pressure. It’s about making your own mistakes. / Know yourself. / Be my own person. / I learned to be myself. / Do what’s best for you. / Say no or coping. Be responsible. / I’ve learned that there’s no pleasing everyone. / More like respecting myself and learning to accept my challenges and how I am beautiful. / I learned respect for others, which helps me not make decisions that will hurt others and gained self-respect which helps me make decisions that are good for me. / Because bullying tears people down.

What do you think about color?

What % gave more thought and shared them about color.

Pre 54% Post 92% Thoughts Shared: Pre: When I’m coloring. / I think of the giver and I actually feel privileged for it (especially blue). / Color is something that can give meaning and should be valued. / Gay pride. / I don’t think about color. It doesn’t matter to me. / I don’t know what you mean. / Never really thought. / No I haven’t thought about it. / I don’t think that much about color. We are all made equal. / What? That’s a dumb question. / No I have not. / When I’m high. / I don’t know the color. / Yes. / I don’t know. / I don’t care. No. / Don’t think about it. / I never. / Never thought about it. / It’s beautiful. It is so different. / Color can be used to describe/represent every are of life. Nothing is without color. / No. / I never thought about it. / When I think of color, I think of a splash of happiness or darkness. / Never thought about it. / No. / Yes I love rainbows. / Color is life. / Color. / We are all equal. / When I think about color, I think about feelings. / Colors are awesome and crazy. They are about life. / What do you mean? Like rainbow or the color of someone’s skin? If it’s skin color, I don’t care. People are people. / I see rainbow color and think of gay rights.

Post: Color is life. It’s the wind blowing. It’s music. / The same. / I just think that colors create something new and that color is meaningful. / It has meaning. / It’s not important. / I think color is beautiful in all matters. / You can be creative with color. / Color is anything. / That all colors mean something different. / I think color is color. It’s there but we don’t focus on it. / That all are different but still called color. / It doesn’t matter to me. / Color is relax and is important. / It’s everywhere. / It shows your emotion and how to be a leader. / It’s life. / Colors can be emotions or symbols. / It can descry be anything/anyone. / I think of emotion and the actions of ourselves with their effect and cause. / Color expresses feeling and emotion. / Everything. / That it’s beautiful and is everywhere. / It has different meanings and feelings. / Color is almost indescribable. We as humans are all different colors and are bright and stand out. / Color isn’t in everything. It is everything. It’s emotion, it’s power. It defines many aspects of life. Color is light. Color is life. Without it, we’d lose the good things in life cuz everything good is made of color. If you took the bad, you’d take the good too and it’s the bad that makes the good so good.

My most important hope or dream is. . .

What % gave more thought to their Dreams becoming reality.

Pre 96% Post 100% Thoughts Shared: Pre: To finish college with a higher degree. / Seeing my family and little baby (bro), being with my girlfriend Sierra, become a famous singer/songwriter. / To travel the world and shape and learn new ideas and old ideas. / Be a tattoo and piercer. / Is to become a veterinarian. / That I am successful adult and can keep healthy relationships with family and others. / Become a chef, graduate high school. / To have better relationship with my family and have my own horse ranch. / To get the helps I need and a family. / Go to college. / To make my mom proud. / Is to be with my boyfriend, make it last, and become a doctor. / Bad bitch tatted and ballin. / Be a somebody. / I would like to trust more. / My dream is to either find a cure for HIV or be a doctor for kids with HIV. / Becoming a model. / To be a musician. / To work in the music industry. / To go home. / Going to live with my aunt. / I want to be happy I went to be with Sheridan and my family. I want to protect the people I love. / To keep my girlfriend in my life. / To become a police officer. / To be perfect. / To become an actress. / To become a doctor. / Is to become a cop. / To be loved for me. / To be with my mom. / Nothing. / Is my singing career. / Is to be a famous singer. / My dream is to become an actress and a singer. / Is to become a doctor.

Post: To be a string musician, singer, dancer, motivational speaker and change the world. / To become an orthodontist. / To become a chef. / To find a family. / To be a successful musician. / To go to school (college). / Is for me and my mom to see each other again. / To become a cop. / Is when I grow up I get to become pediatrician with first born babies. / I want to be a doctor for kids in Africa with HIV or find a cure. / Is to move to Australia and get on the Voice and get famous and sing inspiring songs. / To become a football player. / To be an artist. / To become a tattoo artist. / To help all kind of people such as the people in need of help. People being bullied or people that is having peer pressure. / Tattoo artist. / To not fail in life. / Being me, myself, and I. / Is to become a singer/songwriter who motivates and influences people to move on, let go, and let live. / To graduate high school and serve my country as a Marine. / Not fearing men. / Is to get adopted, help people, make change. / Is to get home. / To be successful in life and have healthy and happy relationships with others and be an amazing citizen like my sister. / I want to marry my girl, get custody of our siblings, start a family of our own, and make a difference in the world. / To go to college.

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

Thoughts Shared: Never give up on what you love. / Nothing at all. / To not worry about others but to make sure you worried about yourself. / I learned about color. / Focus on yourself. / We are not alone and we have someone. / Believe in hope. / Don’t give up. / Is never give up even when other people try to make you. / Self-confidence. / No matter my fear, there’s someone who has overcome it. / Be yourself and let go. / Be smart about who you talk to. / Keep going no matter what. / It can help me by accomplishing

what I am and what I can do. / Respect everyone. / How to have self-respect. / Work with others who have the same dreams. / Is mirror work and letting go, looking back and seeing reality, and doing what’s best for me first. / Stay confident. / I think so at least here and off campus. / To not give up no matter what. / Take responsibility for my own actions. / Is to accept myself and my challenges and know there’s others who go through hard times also make it. Also to accept and feel beautiful about myself because to love yourself is important. / Just because you have setbacks, doesn’t mean it’s all over. / Never give up.

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

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

Thoughts Shared: I want to work on releasing my fear and doing non-stop believing. / I don’t know. / None because this place already helped me and I am a really child person now. / I was in the workshop before. / Leadership by taking charge. / N/A. / Trustworthiness by trusting my peers so that they can trust me. / Trustworthy. / Yes the workshop helped. / I wanted to work on tolerance. / Um well trustworthiness.

I have a hard time trusting people. / Trustworthiness, learning different skills. / I learned how to work in a group. / Positive self talk. / I wanted to improve and work on what I needed to do. The workshop helped me by knowing who I am and what I am capable of doing. / Respect. / Respect not only myself but for others. / Look at what others are doing. / I wanted to work on honesty. I was honest to myself in mirror working, say what I think inside of thinking what they say. / My respect. I am learning to be more respectful to everyone. / I was able to let go of some fear. / All public speaking. / I wanted to be more respectful. / To be a good citizen (citizenship). If I respect myself and have confidence, others will look up to me and it will be easier to socialize and meet positive people. / I wanted to work on respect. The workshop helped me regain my positive focus, which in turn helped me learn respect. / Leadership. Being more confident.

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

Post 88% discovered something new about classmates or friends in the workshop Thoughts Shared: They have had similar struggles. / I didn’t learn anything new. / I learn that others deal with stuff worse than me and it make me feel like a black hole. / I knew that I’m not alone. / They suffer with the same things I do. / That they have good wishes and dreams. / I learned Ariyah is afraid of clowns. / Everyone goes through the same. / That they had a rough past. / They have gone through things like me. / That a lot of them has had some of the same experiences and do care about me. / Nothing. / They show little fear. / Other people are adopted. / That you might have all the same fear and that we are pretty much the same. / People are afraid like me. / They’re very strong and amazing. / I learned that even though it seems that people are different, it doesn’t mean they’re going through something completely different and alone. / Their fears, dreams, and memories. / That I am not alone and have support. / That they’re good at something. / How many people were religious. / That other peers have a fear of turning 18 also, just the fact of being in an apartment alone and learning future independence. / I learned that some of the girls who I thought were nothing like me, actually have a lot in common with me.

Thanks to The Walton Family, 21 young lives from Florence Crittenton experienced their Possibilities.

This workshop took place on August 3-5, 2015. #2 of 3 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? : Being myself, honest, trusting, open minded. Teamwork; not participating/adding to the peer pressure. Less bullying. You don’t bully yourself and others. Well being and open. Bravery, trust self esteem, confidence, self respect, and relationships. / Being honest. You can build trust. About being honest with tribe. By getting to know people and not judging them. More support and more friends. / To be more open with self and other. It helps to be more honest with self and other. Accepting yourself and others for who they. We will not label people. / We all participated. We all we’re independent. We introduce ourselves, express yourself, be yourself. Don’t judge others, talk to people; get know them. Me worrying about me and me showing respect. / We can relate to others and opening up. People that have the same similarity as us.

Getting along with others & working together. It’d help us connect to the real person with us. It’ll help us be real. In life it’ll build character by expressing the traits we have within ourselves.

Creative Storytelling: How to explain yourself. You can be a leader that a follower. If you don’t be yourself than it make you fake and if you are you can just be yourself. Self-esteem, respect yourself and others. / I learned responsibility. Responsibility to do your homework. Treating someone fairly. Reliability because I am responsible. / Respect higher authority. Makes friends like you/ give respect get respect. If you respect others you won’t bully. Stand up for others. Respect is key. / We worked together as a group, You need to work together to get the job done. Outnumber everybody can help. Cause we work together and get different ideas. / Working together as a team. Working to get things done. Taking responsibility for our actions.

Doing the right things at all times.

Through the Hoops: Team work. By working together. Stepping up. Working with each other. / How to get through life’s difficulties. By getting through things and learning from others. By helping others who are

bullied. By learning from our mistakes. / How to work together and learn from each other. Group projects helping others. Work together to end bullying. Community can work together get advice from friends how to solve life problems. / Team work, we copy contribute. Communicate. Back away in a situation. Helps your listening skills. / Have to work together. When you do group work. We can all stand up for each other. We can all be together and friends.

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. Uncomfortable and like alien. / Happy. / No kind of way. / Satisfied, beautiful, and some kind of confidence in myself. / I felt better. / It makes me feel happy that I am alive. / It was hard because I’m going through a confusing time where I don’t know if I want to be a boy or a girl or both but it felt good too. / Little bad. / Normal, cute, sexy. / It makes me feel beautiful. I’m beautiful in my eyes no matter what others say just as everyone else is beautiful in their own ways. / Happy, weird, funny. / It makes me feel good about myself. / Weird and awkward staring at myself for like 15 minutes. / Good. / Uncomfortable. / Kind hearted, caring, loving.

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? To believe been through & still became something. / Jesus. I want to be just like him. He already has everything good. / Grandma. Her family. Honest, funny. / Me. Because I’m amazing. / I think my nana is important because she is now playing a major role in my life now.

Some qualities would be respect, caring, supportive, and most importantly trust. / My dad. Kind, helpful, patience, rouge. / My uncle John. He is important because he was in the military and was my biggest hero.

Service, loyalty, and love to others. / My girlfriend, my gpa, my brother, and my dad. She has always been there for me, accepts me for who I am, loves for me. He raised me when he didn’t have to and has supported me through my treatment. Protected me from bullies and did his best to keep me away from drugs.

Never gives up on me no matter what I did, always supports me. Love, loyalty, honesty, trust, keeps promises, fairness, and is there when you need them. / Ms. Shaute. They are awesome cool staff. Funny, nice, awesome, cool. / Grandma, family. Me because it’s me. Everything. / My mom because she created me and is always ther when I need her through thick and thin. Everything good. / Me. Because I survived through all of this. Happy, courageous, determined. / Paul Walker. He was important. He inspired a lot of people. Intelligence, helpful. / My mom. Family. Honesty, loyal, friendship straight up. / Cooper. Because they help get through the hard times. Trustworthiness, dependency, good socialization skills, caring, loving, and friendship worthy. / My aunt, Ms. Shamah, Miss Dyanna because they have always been there for me all the time. / Dad, mom. They have been there for me. Straight and love.

Seeing Beyond: To trust your intuition. Science asking questions and getting critical. ELA, description, art, how to be invasive and paint a picture for yourself and of hers. You could de-escalate a situation and stop bullying. / Positively and efficiently communicate with one another. Drama, English, literature by being positive. / How to use intuition. All subjects for test taking. People trust their intuition live fuller honest lives and are more likely to succeed. / To have intuition. On taking a test. To help someone else to act in situations. / You brain, the third eye. It can cheer you up. You use your 5 senses.

Drawing one’s Fear’s, Hopes and Dreams and Sharing: We learned communication and we learned more about others and what we have in common. Doing things we don’t wanna do even though its hard. Helping peers being able to speak up for themselves. Being able to identify our abilities and breaking the cycle. / How to stop bullying, being respectful. By helping you get along with others. By not being a bystander. By making friends and being a good citizen. / To accomplish your dreams you have to go through your fears.

Look forward to what you can do and not what you’ve done. Don’t be afraid to stand up for others. You’re not afraid to be challenged. / Helped us understand certain aspects in our lives. You need precision and good perception in order to pass the creative qualities of an American student. Realization on your actions and verbal communication. Mature skill building. / That our fears and dreams aren’t what they seem. It can educate us in our wants and be given opportunities for doing something you were scared of. Standing up may not be as bad as our fear. You can have more positive attributes and better myself and my understanding of things.

Reflective Take Away Assignment Give an example of when you did listen to your intuition or Inner Voice. What was the result of listening and following that Intuition? What can you learn from this situation? 2 listen to my intuition said to stand up & speak out to someone that was getting bullied. Sometimes it’s good to “be a snitch” & tell an adult/appropriate person that someones being in pain & hurt. / When my girlfriend told me she liked me I was nervous and didn’t know what to do and my heart told me to go for it and it was the best choice I ever made. A lot. / I followed my intuition one time to help this guy I gave him some water and food and a place to stay for a night found out that he was my friends’ dad. That helping people is good. / When I had a dream about running away but got arrested so made the rational decision to stay here. That intuition is real. / There was a girl in this group home was getting on my nerves and I wanted to punch her but my intuition was saying don’t hit her so I didn’t. Try to talk and resolve an issue then to escape to punching. / I listen to my intuition a lot and it has helped me a lot. To listen to my intuition. / The last time I listened to my intuition/inner voice was when I was going to go smoke with some friends I said no. When they left & the later was driving high, they got into an accident. You may have to say no to the things you want to avoid the bad outcome. / When I thought Sheridan liked me and asked her out. The result getting the love of my life and becoming the happiest person alive. That it’s good to take chances. / I did not take my life. I would not have meet the people I meet. / Let’s say an example is when I did not want a drink of water but I needed it so then my intuition told to get a drink of water. I can learn to listen to my inner voice and to do the things that are needed. / There is this one time where I listen to my inner voice and it told me to stay strong and don’t give up just hold on and just wait. I’m going home soon. That all I need is to be patient and the day I discharge is coming soon. / I honestly listen to my intuition is when I tell myself to never give up, even when I’ve wanted to but didn’t. Don’t give up. / Me running away. I got in trouble. To think about my actions. / When I wanted to self harm and I didn’t. Sometimes your intuition is right. / When I felt like dipping /running away.

To listen to my instincts so I don’t get in trouble. / I followed my intuition when I go to certain homes. That sometimes homes aren’t all that good. / When I was about to kill myself in the cop car by jumping out the car. I could hurt so many family members. / Trying to make myself happy instead of others, I felt better inside and out. I can prove to myself.

®

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

Funded By: The Walton Family Location: Florence Crittenton %Male 0

%Female 100

Dates: August 3-5, 2015

Ages 12-17

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

Pre %YES 86 %NO 14 %Other 27 Post %YES 81 %NO 14 %Other 5 Rate this statement: You feel comfortable speaking in front of others.

Pre % Not at all 33 % Sometimes 53 % All the Time 14 % No Answer 0 Post % Not at all 5 % Sometimes 66 % All the Time 24 % No Answer 5 Rate this statement: I believe I can make my hopes and/or dreams come true.

Pre % Not at all 9 % Sometimes 62 % All the Time 29 Post % Not at all 5 % Sometimes 39 % All the Time 56 Rate this statement: I respect my own decisions even when dealing with peer pressure.

Pre % Not at all 9 % Sometimes 53 % All the Time 33 % No Answer 5 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 39 % All the Time 61 % No Answer 0 Complete this statement: I am trustworthy and see myself as a __. Follower, Equal, Leader Pre % Follower 5 % Equal 53 % Leader 42 Post % Follower 0 % Equal 39 % Leader 61 Have you ever been bullied? % Yes 81 % No 19 Have you ever seen someone being bullied? % Yes 100 % No 0 % No Answer 0 Did you do anything? % Yes 72 % No 19 % No Answer 0 Did you learn something in the workshop that will help you deal with bullying?

Post % Yes 91 % No 9 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: Yes to help others. / I’ve been here before, but all new people yes. / It’s wrong. / By being nice. / To ignore it. / Yes learning not to do bully. / I learned try to stop the yuck. / Speak up. / How to stand up. / To not be a bystander. / The experiences. / People will listen when I speak. / Stand up, speak up and stop it. / That we all don’t need to pass judgment. / Asking for help. / Your worth everything. / Leave it be.

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: Because I should. / Stand up and tell an adult. / I will stick up for them. / Tell someone. / Because it is the right thing to do. / Tell a staff. / I would speak up. / I would stand up for them. / I would stand up for them. / Tell someone. / Tell a teacher. / I always stand up for others. / Stop it and stand up if home. / Because nobody deserves to be bullied. / Yes I would. / Definitely / Stand up for them.

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

Post % Yes 91 % No 9 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: Respecting others. / I can have a voice knowlingly. / Not give in. / Respect my own decisions. / Color. / I learned more although I know. / Do what is right for me. / I learned to listen not to my peers but what is right. / I do what I want. / To do what you need to do. / I don’t have to please others. / I don’t know how to answer. / Accountability, trustworthy. / Yes I did. / It helped me. / I’m special.

What do you think about color?

What % gave more thought and shared them about color.

Pre 81% Post 90% Thoughts Shared: Pre: Color shows emotions. / I think it’s a miracle & I’m glad to have it. / It doesn’t make me feel like anything. / Black. / Sometimes it can be dark or light. / The best purple. / I appreciate color its an expression of the natural world. / Life wouldn’t be the same without color. / I love colors. / Unknown. / I think color is beautiful. / I think it represents something. / Pink. / Yes that color is a way to see new things. / Color is in everything. / Yes I like color. / Everything even colors are different. / Post: It’s different. / Black. / That there is dark colors but there is also light ones. / Color is everything. / That its expressive. / Color represents everything. / Color is significant. / I like color. / I still think that color is beautiful. / Still show your emotion. / My fav color is still black because its all colors except pink. / They represent something. / I think the same. / Color = emotions = personality = us = inspiration. / It’s gayety. / That it can mean anything. / I love color.

My most important hope or dream is. . .

What % gave more thought to their Dreams becoming reality.

Pre 86% Post 95% Thoughts Shared: Pre: To do cosmetology. / Be an inspiration singer songwriter. / To go to college. / Finish school and get a good job. / Is to graduate from high school. / To make a difference in the world. / That my dream to have a good paying job and stable life. / To be a librarian. / To save suicidal teens. / My dream is become some kind of technology engineer. / Is to become a Florida State football player and become the first women to play in the NFL. / To have a career & successful life. / To go home. / Is to discharge to a good foster home. / Marry my girlfriend and start a family. / To protect those I love& make them happy. / To become a pediatrician. / Become a better person. And be happy with who I am. / To get out.

Post: Better myself. / Live happily. / To keep my family. / Being part of a loving family. / Is to e a nurse. / Being reunited with Sheriden. / To be successful. / Both. / To become a librarian. / Is to be a detective. / To become the first woman to play running back in the NFL. / Respect others, cosmetology. / To graduate from ASU. / To be a lawyer. / To finish school and get a good job. / Becoming an inspirational singer/songwriter. / To live. / Going home. / To find the one now will not hurt me in any type of way. / Not being alone.

One thing I learned in workshop that will help me reach my dream is: Post 86% discovered something new in the workshop.

Thoughts Shared: I learned I can do anything I my mind to. / Confidence. / Different thoughts of dreaming. / Trustworthiness. / Try to prove it. / Patience. / Responsibility. / To strive for what you believe. / To never stop. / Going to college. / Learning more about myself and others. / To keep being me. / To believe in myself. / Being positive. / Mistakes happen. / That I’m not alone. / Coping skills. / Love.

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

Thoughts Shared: Showing me how to speak. / Learn whose bully. / Responsibility by taking accountability for myself. / Respect. I have to give others respect. / It helped me help others. / Responsibility helped me learn to be more responsible. / All of it. They helped by coming in. / Yes It helped me become more responsible for myself and my actions. / Knowing myself. / Self awareness. / By helping me being respectful. / Choose the right decisions. / Fairness. Being honest. / Good working.

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: They go through the same things. / Everyone has issues. / Be kind to the one you describe. / That we all a lot in common. / They have the same fears. / That they have similar fears. / That they go through the same things. / I learned about their fears. / We all have something in common. / I learned that a lot of people are afraid of clowns. / That they are the same as me. / That some friends are the best. / To be a good citizen. / We all got things in common. / That a lot of us have a lot in common. / The have the same fear. / Good stuff. / That we have similar traits. / They have the same fear.

This helped me learn to listen better This helped me to pay attention better This program has helped me so much. Not only with my respect to others but with my communication skills –keskya You have to think long term not short term, because you will be stuck on the past and not focus on you future- Delani I want to be somebody who helps millions of people- Melony

I have learned to be more understanding and mature, thank youMaleah In this program I learned that I am so much stronger then I think I am and I know my worth- melody

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

.

Thanks to The Walton Family, 26 young lives from Florence Crittenton experienced their Possibilities.

This workshop took place on October 6-8 2015 - # 3 of 3 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 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? : Ball game/Line game, an icebreaker. Having stuff in common. Teaches you life skills, Trust.

Team building activities. / Learned more about each other. How to treat people/ communicate. Prevent judgement. How you communicate. / Be honest and also being helpful. Prevent bullying. Make them feel more like themselves. Make new friends. / Everybody comes from different situations. You can’t assume that you know everyone’s background. You can’t assume you know everyone. To be more aware and open minded./ Not being judged by others. Having faith/ courage in self. By checking yourself. Leader, attitude.

Through the Hoops: Teamwork first time to do exercise. Easier to ask for help. Easier to ask people to support you. Easier to help out. / That we laugh and got along. By helping each other. (trust). Trusting instincts. By trusting family and others who are trying to help us. / Teamwork, trust as to what happens.

Teamwork in groups. Being able to stand up for others. To get through the hard things that come to you. / We earned trust and we work together. Team building activity. Come together as one. Help get along with others. / We learned how to do teamwork. By helping each other. By helping yourself. Teamwork.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: Acceptance. Confidence. By having courage, making decisions.

By being able to help others. / Self esteem. To not judge others. It helps you to say no. Knowing your worth and what you want in life./ That we are beautiful on both the inside and the outside, and not to let anyone let you down. Being able to love and look at yourself without being negative. / Knowing the good in ourselves.

Knowing who we came from. Speaking up. / Higher self esteem, confidence. Not afraid to ask questions.

Easier to say no. Makes you less afraid to do things.

Mirror Work: Look at Yourself in the eyes (ONLY) and tell yourself that you love or like yourself just the way you are. Uncomfortable. / As if I’m lying and uncomfortable. / Pretty god, happy. / Happy, beautiful, gorgeous, pretty. / It made me feel good and confident about myself. / I got a nice smile and my hair. / Good, complete. / Weird. / It makes me real happy and proud./ Happy, good. / Weird, okay, blank, empty, happy, smiley. / It made me feel happy but awkward. / Like I’m the real me. / Weird. / I feel like the inside of me but not the out. / For me it makes me feeling more confident. / I don’t know how I feel because I can’t love myself just yet until there is a certain period of time where I can be proud of myself. / I am perfect the way I am. / Healthy, blessed. / Beautiful. / It feels good to look at myself in a mirror because I thought of negative things not positive things. / This made me feel uncomfortable and mad. / Happy, weird, and kinda confident. / It makes me feel happy that I love myself. / Strong, wonderful, flawless, delicious. / Happy, good.

Boost self esteem, beautiful, gorgeous. / Self regulations strong willed adventurous careful sweet brilliant vibrant family oriented flawless mysterious polite determined honest leader healthy courageous sharp reliable fair fierce skillful athletic independent blessed caring brave.

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 sister Raine. She is always helping me and other people.

She is always working to better herself and does not let anyone get in her way. / They remind me to just be me. / I think my boyfriend is my hero because he is been there for me. I think my mom is my hero because she hlps me. I think my brother is my hero because he is awesome. / My sister. Because she understands me and she never let me fall and If I did fall she’d be the first one to pick me up. / My hero us my tio Andres because he was the only person who brung money to the house when my mom needed help and he protect our family so I look at him as role model. / My sister ‘cuz she’s there no matter what. “cuz you always need someone close to support you. / Because I love my mom and she’s always been there for me. / Bri, Anthony. Because they adopt me when there was no one that would have took us in. / Mom. She raised me. / Mom. I love her and she gave me life. / Mom. They have always loved me. / Dad and mom because they helped me through a lot. / My hero is my uncle John, he was in the Air Force and died of pancreatic cancer. He is important because he loved is family and nothing kept it from him. / My mom because she’s my mom. / My cousin. He has been through so much and he still stays strong and focused. / Myself. Because I am the one who got myself to the spot I am today. I got myself out of the stuff that I have been through. / My sister. She makes every day happy. / My mom because she has been through a lot with me I’ve put her through a lot and she raised four children on her own. / Dad because he is there for me. / My siblings because they motivate me to do great also they keep me in a positive mindset. / Me because thee I am strong. / My parents are my heroes. My mom and dad are important to me because they are the ones who took me into their home. / My grandma because she is always right and she tries to keep me down the right path. / My aunt Christina she has always been there for me. / My boyfriend because he’s been through a lot and he’s helped me out a lot when I was not caring for myself or others. / My mom is my hero because she was there for me she gave me what I never had. She is important to me that is why I think that. / My mom is my best friend. My mom is my hero. Because she will and has always been here for me no matter what, whether I’m right or wrong in a situation, and because she is a very strong, independent, beautiful single mother in my eyes.

Seeing Beyond: You don’t always need your eyes. Science, reading, takes imagination. Instructions info. / Be trustworthy, be honest, ask questions. Working as a team. Science, finding new info, English, descriptive.

Art imagination mind’s eye. Get the answers we need and help us read. / You have to ask questions to be successful. Math or reading, because you have to be descriptive and ask questions to be successful. Being able to ask questions for the situation we are in. / Long term. Writing, art, and math. Being able to see past a person’s flaws. / Communication. Working together for a group. Working with others.

Drawing One’s Fears, Hopes, and Dreams and Sharing: To need a goal through hated things.

Independence. Get through the bullying. Giving them hope and inspiration. Passing down myself.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: See both perspective sides of things. Be fair and friendly. Interpersonal effectiveness. / You can change negative things to positive. Negative with help can turn positive. Learning experience. / Look at the bright side. Don’t hold a grudge. To look beyond. / Different ways of viewing things.

Counselling, therapy. Talk to your family. / How to change things into a positive. By teaching you. By keeping you happy.

Give an example of when you did listen to your inner voice. What was the result of listening and follow that intuition. When I got my new converse and they got dirty so I got mad but then I realized that I can make memories. /My whole story. / Me being put in treatment and going through hardships. When it created who I am. / When I got into CPS/DCS. / There was a time when I was sneaking out of my house with my cousin, brother and best friend, to go smoke and go to the store and my aunt had woken up to make sure all the doors were locked and she locked the front and back doors so we got locked out and none of us brought keys so then we tried to break in by getting through the window but our windows were locked and so we had to call our aunt the cool one to unlock the door for us and she let us in after three hours of trying to get in, so it finally clicked. / I remember this homeless person. Every day I gave him some dollars and one day I did not see him, and I found out he got a job and an apartment. / When I was on probation. Because at the end of the day it taught me a lot. It was a big experience for me and a life lesson. I haven’t been in trouble ever since with the law. / When I got locked up for six months, I thought I was forever going to be in there but it helped me think about my life and become a better person. / I felt good about the group. It is going to help me a lot. / It was when I went into foster care, I felt I would never find a family, but then I found good parents. / I saw someone getting bullied and she started crying, so I stood up for her and I felt proud and happy because she was happy. / When I used to get spanked, I would get so angry at everyone, but later on in life I realized that without that discipline I would not be the person I am today. / I believe coming here because I thought it was the worst thing in the world, but in the end I never would have amounted to anything if I didn’t get detained.

Foundation Sponsored Workshops

RELEASE THE FEAR, Inc

®

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

Funded By: The Walton Family Location: Florence Crittenton %Male 0

%Female 100

Date: October 6-8, 2015

Ages 12-17

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

Pre %YES 66 %NO 31 %Other 3 Post %YES 73 %NO 19 %Other 8 Rate this statement: You feel comfortable speaking in front of others.

Pre % Not at all 31 % Sometimes 45 % All the Time 24 Post % Not at all 19 % Sometimes 54 % All the Time 27 Rate this statement: I believe I can make my hopes and/or dreams come true.

Pre % Not at all 3 % Sometimes 46 % All the Time 51 Post % Not at all 4 % Sometimes 42 % All the Time 54 Rate this statement: I respect my own decisions even when dealing with peer pressure.

Pre % Not at all 3 % Sometimes 55 % All the Time 42 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 54 % All the Time 46 Complete this statement: I am trustworthy and see myself as a __. Follower, Equal, Leader Pre % Follower 3 % Equal 38 % Leader 57 Post % Follower 3 % Equal 27 % Leader 69 Have you ever been bullied? % Yes 84 % No 10 % No Answer 6 Have you ever seen someone being bullied? % Yes 97 % No 0 % No Answer 3 Did you do anything? % Yes 62 % No 21 % No Answer 17 Did you learn something in the workshop that will help you deal with bullying?

Post % Yes 88 % No 12 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: To stop it. / Knowing my worth. / That you are worth more than you realize. / To speak up. / Yes, I did. / To stand up for others and stand up for ourselves. / When I got bullied I would help others. / Not judge others. / Skills. / Communication. / I learned to speak up. / I learned to have more confidence. / Standing up for yourself and others. / Stop it. / To stand up for others. / I’m worthy. / It doesn’t help anything. / Stand up for yourself. / I thought when I see others bullied I’m going to say something.

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

Post % Yes 96 % No 4 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: Tell a teacher or staff. / Help him or her. / Stand up for them. / I wouldn’t want it done to me. / I would, because they probably have helped me. / Everyone needs some help. / I will stop the bully. / Bullying isn’t right. / I would say back off of her or him. / I would tell someone. / I would because everyone isn’t perfect. / I would stand up for that person. / No one should be bullied period. / I would stand up for them. / I’d stop it. / Help that person. / Because I got bullied and I was a bully. / It’s not my problem. / I would stand up, and tell that person to not do that to me, just help another person.

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

Post % Yes 81 % No 19 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: To make a decision. / I am me. / That I have a right to voice my opinion. / I am my own person. / Don’t listen to people because it is peer pressure. / I have recorded something every time. / To respect myself. / I learned respect. / I’ve always known. / I learned respect. I have it already but I learned to be more with everyone. / Because I already know what to do. / I know my worth. / I can say no. / Respect, fears. / A lot of skills. / Respect others and they will respect you.

What do you think about color?

What % gave more thought and shared them about color.

Pre 83% Post 77% Thoughts Shared: Pre: No color doesn’t matter to me. / Nothing we’re all the same. / I love black and red. / It is just color. / I don’t really think about color. / Just colors. / Color is different, it can mean many things. / I like black so I like all colors. / I like all colors. / I love all colors except pink. / It tells your emotion and the color you feel inside of you. / Color I think are just colors. / I like all colors. / It tells the way of knowing emotions. / Pink. / That it’s a gift as well as a burden, as well as a form of expression. / Purple makes things look pretty. / It helps everyone. / I love red because I think it goes with me. / Honestly I don’t know. / I think color is beautiful. / It’s an expression of feeling. / It is a way to express your feelings. / I don’t know, I think it is better than being in the dark. / Yes, I think color reflects your mood.

Post: I can be vibrant and dark. / Music has color and different meanings. / It shows different emotions and expressions. / I see color the same. / It is still important even if it’s not our fears. / It means different things. / Colors define who you are. / Color makes the world brighter. / It’s all colors. / Everything is important. / I still think color is beautiful. / Everyone is different. / Color is life. / That it’s just a color. / Shows emotion. / That is how we work as a society. / Color does not matter, we are all the same. / Beautiful, unique. / That it is an image of yourself. / I think the same as I did before. / I did not learn anything new about color.

My most important hope or dream is. . .

What % gave more thought to their Dreams becoming reality.

Pre 100% Post 96% Thoughts Shared: Pre: Is to be happy and have a better relationship with my family. / I hope to keep on being happy. / To go to nursing school. / Complete school. Having a job I can enjoy for a long period of time. Dreams of being fitness model professional football player. / I hope I can go home. / To go home and join the ASPCCI. / Succeed. / Is to become a celebrity or to become the first women in the NFL. / To become important. / My dream is to become a lawyer. / To be a nurse. / Is to be an inspirational singer/ song writer. / To make a difference in people’s lives, and be a psychologist. / I don’t have one now. / Marry the one I love, and have a kid. / Being a lawyer. / Going home and having a better path in my life. / My most important hope is hoping to have a happy and loving family. / Becoming a cosmetologist. / To go home and be with my family and best friend. / To be a professional athlete. / Is to get a good job and be successful. / To be successful. / Is to be independent. / Go to my mom’s. / Is to graduate from ASU. / Is to be a detective.

Post: Dream to go back to my mom and family. / I want to be a lawyer. / My most important dream is to go to college. / Inspire others. / Be somebody. / School. / Dream. I want to work on my dream. / Is to go home with my family. / To get into nursing school. / To become an orthodontist. / To go home. / To leave home and finish high school. / To become a football player. / Is to go home. / To become a pediatrician. / To finish school/ college be a detective. / To be a criminal lawyer and to go to law school and graduate with both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees. / Is to go to college/ university. / To help kids in Africa. / Finish high school and be very successful. / To go home. / Is to become cosmetologist. Being successful and helping my family. / Is to be a nurse. / Is to be me at all times.

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

Thoughts Shared: I have the greatest power. / Being comfortable in front of people talking to them. / Believe in myself. / I’m not alone. / To not be afraid. / No matter what shape, color, or form our dreams/ hopes are still important to us. / Be yourself face your fears. / To never give up or listen to the negative, things that will put you down in life. / One thing I learned is to ignore peer pressure. / Communication. / Is to do the best I can. / That I am better than I was. / To have self confidence. / Something is to follow my heart. / Be myself and it’s ok to speak up. / Is to never be afraid to ask questions. / To get better. / That no matter what I can always dream. / People. / I am somebody. / Have hope and don’t do anything stupid. / The work gets tougher but keep trying. / Is that you can make your dreams come true no matter what as long as you put your effort in it. / The thing I learned is to follow my dream and not care what others say.

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

Thoughts Shared: It helped by how they would stand there and just talk to me. / To be honest nothing. / It didn’t really help. / I am not the only one who has been a bully. / Yes, I am better than I think I am. / I’m beautiful. / That I am pretty just like this. / I’ve grown some. / That I can speak to other people. / That I do mean something. / By showing my color and my true person. / I am amazing the way I am. / My anger. / I want to improve on trustworthy. I want to be able to trust people. / I’m very strong willed, and that I can do anything I put my mind to. / Something new I learned is that I have a lot of open mindedness. / I am a good teamer. / Trust, not being broken. / I am capable of speaking in front of others. / That we are all similar in some way. / Of how I actually feel about myself. / I’m always happy. / I am grateful in many ways.

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

Post 88% discovered something new about classmates or friends in the workshop Thoughts Shared: I love all of my friends at home unconditionally. / That they have gone through the same things I’ve gone through. / We all got in common. / That we work together well. / They are scared. / No matter where we go, everyone has something in common. / They are all worth a lot. / I’ve learned that everybody has some things is common. / Some people are different and some people are the same. / Everyone has things in common. / They are similar to me. / I learned that a lot of people are adopted. / They all have the same fear as me. / That some of us are the same. / That we are all strong. / That we are different from others. / That they are just the same. / They/ we have things in common. / That we are all alike. / They are not so different from me. / That they are all different. / I learned that we all have similarities.

I learned that I am beautiful I learned that I should love myself-katie I learned that I should not judge others- Aaliyah

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

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Thank you Rob and Melani and the Walton Family Foundation for the opportunity and for believing in our mission and vision ,that each and every child is deserving to be inspired and empower with the tools to make better life choices. Today they are that much closer to finding their gifts they have to share with the world around them.

Most sincerely,

Robert J Miley CEO and Founder

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