Rtf john f long foundation 2013 2014 final report

2 0 1 3-14 REPORT

Thanks to the Support of John F. Long Foundation Youth Can Create a New Future RELEASE THE FEAR = Inspiring & empowering kids with the tools to make better life choices.

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

Thanks to the foresight and generosity of

John F. Long Foundation funds. This is the final report from four different workshops, held at the Cartwright School District, Academy for Success.

Through your support Release the Fear was able to provide life altering skills to 55 youth in Phoenix West Valley. Our evidence-based curriculum uses the creative processes of art, music and communication.

Thanks to your support we were able to teach these youth valuable cognitive behavioral life skills on conflict resolution and how to build self-esteem. They also learned tools that will inspire them in school, combat peer pressure, bullying, anger, and violence of any kind. These are life skills that will help them break the chain of fear, self-doubt and violence, and empower them to strive for a productive future.

These workshops were delivered from February 2014 through April 2014.

TURNING PAIN INTO POSSIBILITIES, POSSIBILITIES INTO PURPOSE . . .OPENING YOUNG MINDS FOR A BRIGHTER TOMORROWŠ 332 W. Lynwood Street Phoenix Arizona 85003 602-818-6959~info@releasethefear.org ~ www.releasethefear.org

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hat: Release the Fear, is a non-profit health and human services organization, teaches Arizona’s youth the life skills needed to combat the effects of peer pressure, bullying, abuse and violence in our society and learn to make better life choices. Release the Fear has worked with thousands of at-risk youth in Arizona to decrease the enticement of gang involvement by offering experiential programs that help reverse the paralyzing effects of fear and diminished self-worth.

Our programs encourage youth to explore safe and healthy lifestyles and to overcome disabilities through the development of leadership and social skills through evidence-based curriculum meeting Arizona education standards.

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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. Inquirybased learning is an educational practice where the teacher/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 these findings. The teacher/facilitator must act as guide while being an expert questioner, thinking of the end objective at all times and posing questions to allow students to reach objectives on their own. When this is done, students are able to create new experiences which connect and build on their applied knowledge and personal life goals. Without these essential life skills, the still-maturing minds of detained youth view their future as bleak with no hope for a “normal” life.

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pproach: Through experiential programs, we encourage participants to develop valuable core life skills, better critical problem solving, and a healthy sense of understanding self and others.

Through the RTF programs, participants discover that anything is possible, that they have a purpose in life, and why they matter to the world, to the community, and most of all to themselves.

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ransformation: The Maricopa County Juvenile Probation Office released a 2010 report demonstrating the value of Inside Out: Bridging Possibilities workshops on their juvenile population.

Thirty percent of incarcerated youth recidivate—meaning three out of ten will again find themselves in conflict with law and society and back behind bars. For the incarcerated youth who participated in just one Release the Fear workshop, that recidivism figure dropped by 23 percent. For those who were able to benefit from multiple workshops, it dropped by 46 percent—nearly half. That is an impressive impact on any child’s future.

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

2014

RELEASE THE FEAR 2014 RTF Pre/Post Survey Results John F Long Foundation OVERALL PERCENTAGES 55 Students (4 PB Workshops) Male 81% Female 19% – Youth Ages 11-15 88.75% discovered something new about themselves 95.5% discovered something new about classmates and friends.

Pre 32% compared to Post 53.25% realized that they are not alone in their fears.

Pre 76% compared to Post 95% realized that they can make their dreams a reality.

78% learned something to help them deal with bullying.

86.5% stated that they would do something if they saw someone being bullied.

Individual Workshop Percentages 1. February 24-26 2014 Academy for Success 13 Students (1 IO-PB Workshops) Male 100% Female 0% – Youth Ages 12-15 100% discovered something new about themselves 100% discovered something new about classmates and friends.

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

Pre 75% compared to Post 100% realized that they can make their dreams a reality.

87% learned something to help them deal with bullying.

63% stated that they would do something if they saw someone being bullied.

2. February 24-26 2014 Academy for Success 15 Students (1 IO-PB Workshops) Male 75% Female 25% – Youth Ages 11-15 100% discovered something new about themselves 100% discovered something new about classmates and friends.

Pre 40% compared to Post 60% realized that they are not alone in their fears.

Pre 80% compared to Post 80% realized that they can make their dreams a reality.

60% learned something to help them deal with bullying.

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

3. April 15-19 2014 Academy for Success 11 Students (1 IO-PB Workshops) Male 82% Female 18% – Youth Ages 11-14 55% discovered something new about themselves 82% discovered something new about classmates and friends.

Pre 30% compared to Post 45% realized that they are not alone in their fears.

Pre 82% 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.

4. April 15-19 2014 Academy for Success 16 Students (1 IO-PB Workshops) Male 67% Female 33% – Youth Ages 13-15 100% discovered something new about themselves 100% discovered something new about classmates and friends.

Pre 8% compared to Post 58% realized that they are not alone in their fears.

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

83% learned something to help them deal with bullying.

83% stated that they would do something if they saw someone being bullied.

For nearly seventeen years, Release the Fear has

had the opportunity to interact with over 6,500 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 the 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.

RELEASE THE FEAR 2013 -2014 Program Budget(BP): RTF Character Education Bridging Possibilities: Proposed Budget Per Workshop Cost of 4 BP Instructional Programming: Program Supervisor/Trainer Co-Facilitator / Trainee Reporting and Evaluations: Pre/Post Inventories Final Report Supplies and Other Workshop Exp Art & Printed Supplies / Snacks Recognition for Students, Postage, Mktng Internal Coordination, Support & Workshop Presentation Travel Expenses – Average

$680.00 $300.00

2,720.00 1,200.00

$150.00 $ 70.00

600.00 280.00

$ 80.00 $ 60.00

320.00 240.00

$260.00 $ 50.00

1,020.00 200.00

TOTAL FOR 1 WORKSHOP $1,650.00

6,600.00

Cost Breakdown per workshop with average of 14 youth each: Average cost per daily session: $550.00 Average cost per youth per session $39. 29 Per Capita cost per youth workshop:$117.85

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

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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 John F Long Foundation, 13 young lives from Academy for Success experienced their Possibilities.

This workshop took place on February 24-26, 2014.

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

“Bridging Possibility” workshops.

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

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

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

These responses are written in their words without edit.

The following responses are from the students who range in ages from 12-15.

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

Through the Hoops: Teamwork, coordination. Picture what’s in your mind. Helping other not to. / Always focus on teamwork. / Teamwork, focus. Focus to get an education. Get along. To get an education. / Balance, teamwork, to rely on other people. For subjects/work to trust people. To help and do it with you. It will help because your peer can stop you or make sure you do the goodest choice. To rely on your boss and family and other people. Everything is teamwork to get through things you might need to rely on others.

Seeing Beyond: Pictures in your mind. Experiments science reading. / Memorizing things. / Visualization using describe. Math, writing, reading. / To get an education. / Visualization. Science for the experiment. When you go for a job you know what to wear.

Drawing one’s Fear’s, Hopes and Dreams and Sharing: Working with others. Focus in school. To walk away from it. To not do bad stuff. / Drawing. Writing skills. Telling others your fear. Being able to participate. / Learn about the future. Working toward goal. Working with others. To get along with others for jobs.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: To believe yourself. It would help you listen. It would help you achieve in life.

Yes/No: To think what you think and don’t think what others think. Show you what to do. Not to take the decision what others give you. To be honest. / Sportsmanship. Working towards a goal. No I won’t go to jail. I would say no. To get an education. / Being kind and respect. It would let us achieving in our goals. It would help you to make the right decision. If you believe in yourself and achieve your goals it will pay off.

®

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

Funded By: John F Long Foundation, 1 of 4 Dates: February 24-26, 2014 Location: Academy for Success %Male 100

%Female 0

Ages 12-15

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

Pre %YES 50 %NO 50 %Maybe 0 Post %YES 50 %NO 37 %Maybe 13 Rate this statement: You feel comfortable speaking in front of others.

Pre % Not at all 75 % Sometimes 13 % All the Time 13 Post % Not at all 5 % Sometimes 50 % All the Time 25 Rate this statement: I believe I can make my hopes and/or dreams come true.

Pre % Not at all 37 % Sometimes 25 % All the Time 37 Post % Not at all 13 % Sometimes 37 % All the Time 50 Rate this statement: I feel comfortable making my own decisions even when dealing with peer pressure.

Pre % Not at all 25 % Sometimes 50 % All the Time 25 Post % Not at all 25 % Sometimes 37 % All the Time 37 Complete this statement: I see myself as a __. Follower, Equal, Leader Pre % Follower 13 % Equal 50 % Leader 37 Post % Follower 13 % Equal 13 % Leader 75 Have you ever been bullied? % Yes 37 % No 63 Have you ever seen someone being bullied? % Yes 75 % No 25 Did you do anything? % Yes 50 % No 25 % 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: They won’t put you down. / To just walk away. / That to help someone not do the wrong thing by bullying. / I learned more of social skills. / Being kind. / Ignore them. / Ignore them. / By ignoring people. / To back away from it and prevent it. / To back off. / Learned how to step back. / Learned how to step back.

Now, after attending the workshop, if you saw someone be bullied, would you do something?

Post % Yes 63 % No 37 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: Tell the teacher. / I would help them. Tell them to leave them alone. / I would tell them to just walk away. / It’s not my business. / Ya help them and stay stop to the other student. / Because I would get bullied. / I would say to stop. / Defend them. / I would defend them and talk to the bully. / Tell someone. / Yes, help them out. / Yes help them out.

Did you learn any skills to help you make your own decisions not based on Peer Pressure?

Post % Yes 63 % No 37 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: To not take the wrong answer. / Take deep breaths and say no. / Yes because they might do a bad decision so you should make your own. / No I had already learned them. / Yes cause I can believe. / Stay focus. / Believe myself. / By just making your choice. / I wouldn’t do anything they tell me. / Put it down and walk away. / Wouldn’t listen to anyone. / I wouldn’t do anything that people tell me to do.

What do you think about color?

What % gave more thought and shared them about color.

Pre 0% Post 100% Thoughts Shared: Pre: No, not any color. / No. / I don’t think about color. / No. / No. / I don’t think about it. / I don’t think bout it. / Don’t think about it. / I think about color. / No. / I never thought about it.

Post: I like it. / Good. / That you can see color in everything. / That mostly everything has color. / I think color is what you make of it. / Makes me peaceful. / To respect. / I learned about art. / It pops up everywhere. / Color has sound. / I see it as a gift. / That sound has color. / Color has sound. / That it’s nice to combine. / That it’s nice to combine.

My most important hope or dream is. . .

What % gave more thought to their Dreams becoming reality.

Pre 75% Post 100% Thoughts Shared: Pre: My most important hope is to become a different child. / My goal is to get sponsored in boxing. / That I go to the NBA. / Helping my mom. / Nope. / No. / I do not have one. / Be a football player. / I want to be a basketball player. / Be a football player. / Paint.

Post: Is to be a football player. / I’m thinking of flying. / To go paint house. / To become an NFL star. / To either be mercenaries or narco. / To join the Marines. / My dream is to become a sniper. / Is to be a football player. / To go to college. / To be a cop. / Is to become a music producer. / To be part of the military. / Is to be a miner and a speaker. / To get off probation and stay off. / I don’t have one.

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

Thoughts Shared: Never give up. / I will respect. / Do believe what others say. Believe in me. / To always believe yourself. / I learned a self esteem skills. / Believe in myself. / Yes it will help me. / Teamwork. / Believe in myself. / By ignoring. / Push yourself to it. / Is not to believe in what others think. / Be more at peace to myself. / That I have to finish school. / I have to finish school.

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

Post 100% discovered something new in the workshop.

Thoughts Shared: They are fun. / I know teamwork. / That I am not bad. I can do anything. / Being reliable. / I learned everyone has some type of valve. / Ya to believe. / To work along with others. / Sportsmanship. / I can be successful. / To be respectful. / I am pretty funny. / I am very smart and wise. / It’s ok to be different. / That I can express myself. / I learned that I can express myself.

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: Not to be mean. / I will respect others. / That a classmate is no a baby. / That they help you with things. / I learned Hector has a friend in prison that learned he’s a good artist. / To help them out. / Sportsmanship. / Helping others. / Their dream. / By know each other. / That they can be funny too. / That we have similarities and differences. / That they needed help like me. / That some don’t have goals. / That we have fears.

Thanks to, John F Long Foundation, 15 young lives from Academy for Success experienced their Possibilities.

This workshop took place on February 4-26, 2014.

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

“Bridging Possibility” workshops.

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

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

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

These responses are written in their words without edit.

The following responses are from the students who range in ages from 11-15.

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

Who am I? : We knew each other better. So we get along better. Knew new people. So I can work with people. / Figuring out people. Knowing your friends. Get to know people. Get to know people before you judge. / Eye contact. Greeting others. Not get you in trouble. Get to know them better. Help get a job, it shows respect.

Creative Storytelling: Creativity. Our tests. Because you get to remember who they were. Become a artist. / Memory. Respect others. You respect, they respect you back. / Seeing art in many ways.

Communicating.

Through the Hoops: Working together. Feel more comfortable asking people for help. More people would be working together. Feel more comfortable. / Teamwork, get connect with each other. Ask people for help. Because you get along. By know more each other. / Help a peer, get through them.

Learning to communicate. By hold arms with stranger. Don’t be racist.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: Feeling and sense. In a memory. Not listening to mean people. If you’re blind.

Seeing Beyond: I used my brain to guess. When I see a problem I guess. To help you out. / Sharing.

Science – hypothesis. Build a hypothesis. Feel your way through life. / Inner senses. Math to answer questions. Descriptive words.

Drawing one’s Fear’s, Hopes and Dreams and Sharing: As a result, it helped us express ourselves. It helps you work in group. This would help with bullying because you will help prevent it. You would get farther in life. / To stick together. Help around school. To tell people to not back down. Move closer to the group.

®

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

Funded By: John F Long Foundation, 2 of 4 Location: Academy for Success %Male 75

%Female 25

Dates: February 24-26, 2014

Ages 11-15

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

Pre %YES 40 %NO 60 %Maybe 0 Post %YES 60 %NO 40 %Maybe 0 Rate this statement: You feel comfortable speaking in front of others.

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

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

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

Post % Yes 60 % No 40 % No Answer 0 Now, after attending the workshop, if you saw someone be bullied, would you do something?

Post % Yes 100 % No 0 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: Tell them to stop.

Did you learn any skills to help you make your own decisions not based on Peer Pressure?

Post % Yes 80 % No 20 % No Answer 0 What do you think about color?

What % gave more thought and shared them about color.

Pre 60% Post 80% Thoughts Shared: Pre: No that’s weird. / It’s nice. / It’s nice. / It nice. / No but color is it’s equal. / Not at all. / Nothing. / Nothing. / Happy.

My most important hope or dream is. . .

What % gave more thought to their Dreams becoming reality.

Pre 80% Post 80% Thoughts Shared: Pre: Cop. / IDK. / I don’t know. / Becoming an uncover cop. / My dream is to be a public speaker and to get my anger controlled. / Maybe in the future. / Play professional football. / Is to become a music producer/basketball player. / SWAT. Post: To stop people from being rude.

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 let people control you.

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

Post 100% discovered something new in the workshop.

Thoughts Shared: I’m myself.

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: Some people are rude. Robert, Robin, James, and Hector are nice peps.

Thanks to John F Long Foundation, 11 young lives from Academy for Success experienced their Possibilities.

This workshop took place on April 15-19, 2014.

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

“Bridging Possibility” workshops.

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

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

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

These responses are written in their words without edit.

The following responses are from the students who range in ages from 11-14.

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? : Caring and being more respectful to others. Better grades and pay attention more. Get to know people. To get more respect from others. / Talking to people. Help you respect teachers. Get to know people. Doing good in school. / To learn. To not pre-judge people. So you don’t get fired.

Creative Storytelling: To get education. So you don’t get in a fight. You don’t go to jail.

Through the Hoops: Teamwork, reliable, trustworthiness, partnership, communication. Things get done easier and faster. Rely on a teacher. When you get a job. / How to do teamwork and trustworthiness.

Teamwork, partnership. Understanding each other. Respect carry fearness. / To help each other. To not get in fights. It will help you.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: Teamwork, reliable, partnership. Things get done easier and faster.

So you can make a good decision. So you can have a job. / To respect yourself. To be more confident.

Not let others tell you what to do. To teach others to respect me. / Help others. To control your anger. It will help you.

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 like a cool guy. / It makes me feel great, confident, respectful, and kind. / Great, good. / I don’t feel nothing. / It make me feel good. / It makes me feel like I have faith in myself. / It makes me feel like I have trust.

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

Because he Hulk Smash. / My mom and dad, grandma. I think that because they taught me everything I know. / It’s not! / My parents. My mom has been my dad and mother for 5 years. I’m really proud of her. / Parents.

Because they raised me.

Drawing one’s Fear’s, Hopes and Dreams and Sharing: So you don’t get into trouble. So you don’t get in a fight. So you don’t get fired. / Teamwork. Respect. Getting to know each other. Help you achieve. / Share with others. It gives you more confidence. You would be able to help the person who is getting bullied. Helps you.

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?

I did something bad and I ended up here. Not to do it again. / I got in trouble with my mom. Don’t do bad stuff. / Whether to do the right choice or not. Making choices. / I was going to cross the street. Intuition told me not to cross. I did not get hit by a car that I did not see. / Some kids told me to go smoke. Trust your inner voice. / Inner voice. It was saying go, go. And I did when I came back, the house was being robbed. Nothing really.

®

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

Funded By: John F Long Foundation, 3 of 4 Location: Academy for Success %Male 82

%Female 18

Dates: April 15-19, 2014

Ages 11-14

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

Pre %YES 36 %NO 64 %Maybe 0 Post %YES 45 %NO 45 %Maybe 9 Rate this statement: You feel comfortable speaking in front of others.

Pre % Not at all 45 % Sometimes 45 % All the Time 9 Post % Not at all 18 % Sometimes 73 % All the Time 9 Rate this statement: I believe I can make my hopes and/or dreams come true.

Pre % Not at all 9 % Sometimes 36 % All the Time 55 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 36 % All the Time 64 Rate this statement: I feel comfortable making my own decisions even when dealing with peer pressure.

Pre % Not at all 18 % Sometimes 45 % All the Time 36 Post % Not at all 9 % Sometimes 82 % All the Time 9 Complete this statement: I see myself as a __. Follower, Equal, Leader Pre % Follower 0 % Equal 55 % Leader 45 Post % Follower 0 % Equal 55 % Leader 45 Have you ever been bullied? % Yes 36 % No 64 Have you ever seen someone being bullied? % Yes 73 % No 27 Did you do anything? % Yes 45 % No 45 % No Answer 9 Did you learn something in the workshop that will help you deal with bullying?

Post % Yes 82 % No 18 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: Being nice. / To trust others. Tell the teacher. / Stop it. / Be passion. / Because you can stop bullying. / Just walk away.

Now, after attending the workshop, if you saw someone be bullied, would you do something?

Post % Yes 100 % No 0 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: Yes, because it’s mean. / I would tell him to back off. / Defend myself. / I would stick up for him. / Tell a teacher. / Help them or tell somebody. / I would stop it. / Yes. Did you learn any skills to help you make your own decisions not based on Peer Pressure?

Post % Yes 73 % No 27 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: I could speak up by myself. / I learned how to trust, respect others. / Don’t worry about others. / I never been under peer pressure. / To make good decision. / Because you know what’s right or wrong. / No I didn’t.

What do you think about color?

What % gave more thought and shared them about color.

Pre 27% Post 82% Thoughts Shared: Pre: Never thought about it. / I think coloring is really cool. / Nothing. / No. / No. / I don’t really judge people by the front of the book. / I never thought about it. / I respect everybody. / No. / I don’t care.

Post: It’s pretty. / It has a dream. / You see things out of color. / I think it is cool. / Nothing. / I can express my feelings by color. / A lot of thing. / That when you close your eyes, you have to relax. / Color has sound. / No. / Express my feelings.

My most important hope or dream is. . .

What % gave more thought to their Dreams becoming reality.

Pre 82% Post 100% Thoughts Shared: Pre: Be a businessman. / I don’t really got one. / My is to be a racer. / To be a basketball player. / Stop being a troublemaker and bullying. / My most important dream is to become a huge rapper in Chicago. / To become a famous football player on the Cardinals. / Is being a famous musician player or play the piano. / I want to go home. / Run a restaurant.

Post: Getting to be a secretary. / Being a car racer. / To play football. / Is to be a basketball player or football player. / Become a pro at soccer. / Is to become famous. / Playing pro football. / Is to be a pianist. / To be a sushi worker. / Play pro b-ball, a restaurant. / Be a businessman.

One thing I learned in workshop that will help me reach my dream is: Post 91% discovered something new in the workshop.

Thoughts Shared: To never give up. / Following instructions. / To not believe negative things. / Is to be fair. / I could do anything to reach it. / Is my tio. / To peripheral vision. / To be successful. / Never give up. / I learned that you never know who’s listening.

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

Post 55% discovered something new in the workshop.

Thoughts Shared: I don’t know. / Speaking in front of the kids. / Nothing. / To look at yourself as a leader. / Nothing. / That I can talk in front of people. / To draw. / To not always do bad things. / No. / I can talk in front of other people.

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

Post 82% discovered something new about classmates or friends in the workshop Thoughts Shared: I met more people. / The other kids have the same fears. / To trust. / To make peace and enjoy life. / Nothing. / That they are all chill. / To not bully people. / To help each other. / Make friends not enemies. / That someone works at the dispensary.

Thanks to John F Long Foundation, 16 young lives from Academy for Success experienced their Possibilities.

This workshop took place on April 15-19, 2014.

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

“Bridging Possibility” workshops.

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

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

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

These responses are written in their words without edit.

The following responses are from the students who range in ages from 13-15.

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

Who am I? : We got to know each other. Communicate better. We’re all different. To be respectful to others. / Everybody different and everyone has different cultures. Get to learn your peers. How to judge people. To know you’re different than others. / Meeting each other. Following directions. Don’t judge a book by its cover. By remembering this. / How to communicate better. I like it big, know more things. It would help by not following others. I won’t get in trouble for following others.

Creative Storytelling: Dancing and getting motivated. By concentrating on anything. Everyone gets along. Good exercise.

Through the Hoops: Trusting each other. To know who you are around and trust. To stop the people.

To trust people more. / Teamwork. Being on the school team. You could tell somebody else they’re bullying. You can depend on someone. / Teamwork and trustworthy. Working with others. Because we are all get along. To trust others. / When we did the hoope, we learned trust. Because n school we need to trust the teachers. You can trust your friend to get the teacher. Because if you have a baby, you need to trust the babysitter.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: Confidence. Not back down. To do you and be yourself. To do better. / Confidence. You can have confidence on good grade. Can help by not letting anyone put you down. To stick up for yourself. / Taught me confidence. To not be insecure. To be confident. To feel good about yourself. / Help me build confidence. To do my homework. Build confidence, help you because you could say no to it. Build confidence in you, make you feel better about you.

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

I love myself because when I tell myself that I love myself and I feel better about myself because I love myself just the way I am because there no one like me and how that I feel that it I feel good and better and more happy about myself and that’s how I feel. / Handsome, awesome, cool, sad. / Ratchet ugly.

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 Gandma because she was there for me and my sisters and my brother. She raise us when we were babies and she got cancer. It was sad. We even cry, me and my sisters and my brother. But she’s still alive. She won the battle of cancer. My Gandma is my hero and my mom. God bless my Gandma and she my best mom and Gandma. / Batwoman. Because I watched the show every day. / My mom. She’s always been there for me. Cuz I’m cool.

Seeing Beyond: To use my mind. Everything because you need to use it in school. Because if you don’t use your mind, then you’re stupid. / Communication or help to speak. Science because it would help you with hypothesis. You can maybe become a scientist. / Our senses. Science because you’re taking guesses. If you go blind, you can help with your hands. / Describe the shapes in geometry.

Drawing one’s Fear’s, Hopes and Dreams and Sharing: Learn more about yourself. To open yourself more up. To tell people it’s okay. To let people know that it’s okay. / You have common fears with others. To help achieve your dreams. You can make bullies act like you. You can do what you dreamed to do. / What we wanna be. Learn what you need to accomplish your dream. Think before you act. To achieve your dream. / That if we put our mind to our dream, we can do it. That if you wanna be or do good, you can do it. You can stand up for yourself and others. You can do good.

Reflective Take Away Assignment: To listen to your inner voice. To make better choices. To not get in many problems. / That it’s good to follow your instinct. To be honest. Take responsibility for your own actions.

We all can remember a time when we did not listen to our Intuition or Inner Voice. We would like you think of an example when you did follow your Intuition? What can you learn from this situation?

One day I was walking and I felt I should go home. I did and something good happened. We went to eat. That yourself at home the other parts and good things happen. / When my mom told me not to go nowhere and I was planning to but I didn’t go because something told me not to. I learn how to listen more and rethink my steps. / We were going to jump a foo and I left and I didn’t get arrested. / I was going to do some stuff with people, I heard “Mina don’t do it”. I listened. The next day, those people were suspended. That not going with them was the best choice. / I listened to my inner voice by not getting mad. That was my result. You can learn how to stay calm. / When I was 4 years old and my cousin told me to not get out of my room (my inner voice). I wanted to get out and help him so I did and things happened. To listen to inner voice, not always though. / I didn’t do the bad thing. That if you think twice, you can go through the right path. / When I got caught with weed and the principal was going to blame someone else and my instinct told me to admit it and I did. It’s always better to listen to your instinct.

Funded By: John F Long Foundation, 4 of 4 Location: Academy for Success %Male 67

%Female 33

Dates: April 15-19, 2014

Ages 13-14

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

Pre %YES 8 %NO 59 %Maybe 33 Post %YES 58 %NO 42 %Maybe 0 Rate this statement: You feel comfortable speaking in front of others.

Pre % Not at all 11 % Sometimes 81 % All the Time 8 Post % Not at all 8 % Sometimes 75 % All the Time 17 Rate this statement: I believe I can make my hopes and/or dreams come true.

Pre % Not at all 17 % Sometimes 50 % All the Time 33 Post % Not at all 17 % Sometimes 50 % All the Time 33 Rate this statement: I feel comfortable making my own decisions even when dealing with peer pressure.

Pre % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 50 % All the Time 50 Post % Not at all 8 % Sometimes 33 % All the Time 58 Complete this statement: I see myself as a __. Follower, Equal, Leader Pre % Follower 0 % Equal 48 % Leader 58 Post % Follower 0 % Equal 48 % Leader 58 Have you ever been bullied? % Yes 42 % No 58 Have you ever seen someone being bullied? % Yes 67 % No 33 Did you do anything? % Yes 25 % No 58 % No Answer 7 Did you learn something in the workshop that will help you deal with bullying?

Post % Yes 83 % No 17 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: To be who you are. / Because you could help. / Accept different. / To stick up for yourself and others. / Ignoring them. / Speak up. / Be who you are. / Help.

Now, after attending the workshop, if you saw someone be bullied, would you do something?

Post % Yes 83 % No 17 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: I would tell them to chill out. / I would help him. / I stand up for others. / Because it showed me to stick up for myself and others. / I would say leave him alone. / Telling them to stop. / I will tell them to chill out. / Step up to help them.

Did you learn any skills to help you make your own decisions not based on Peer Pressure?

Post % Yes 83 % No 17 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: I will listen to my inner voice. / Help others. / Many. / To be your own person. / To just ignore them. / Do what’s good for you.

What do you think about color?

What % gave more thought and shared them about color.

Pre 33% Post 92% Thoughts Shared: Pre: Nope. / I don’t know what it means. / No. / I don’t understand. / Yes, the color black. / It’s just a color. / Yes because color is cool and some time I think of color and feel that some color that should be a best color. / I don’t know what this means, but my favorite color is black and grey. / I like colors. / I have never thought about color. / Nothing. / No because I can’t see color in my head. / That it’s just a color. / Music is red, yellow, green, black, white. / I see it the same now as I learned it.

Post: Color matters. / You can express color with sound. / No. / Yes cuz I can imagine thing fast like the purple. / That music has hidden colors, you just have to look for them. / It doesn’t matter. / Everything has color to it. / that the song can change colors. / Music, red, yellow, green, white and black. / I see black. / That color has sound. / I don’t really know. / Color has sound.

My most important hope or dream is. . .

What % gave more thought to their Dreams becoming reality.

Pre 67% Post 100% Thoughts Shared: Pre: Anything. / I wanna be a Navy Seal or sniper man. / I do not have one. / I do not have one. / To be a rock star. / Football. / I don’t have hope or dream because I am little of fear to. / To be in the SWAT or Marines and to be happy! / My dream is to become an actor or join the Marines. / I wanna be a police. / To become a surgeon. / My dream is to join the Marines. / My dream is to get along with others. / Is to become a music producer.

Post: Ima be a detective. / Is to work at Phx Children’s Hospital. / To become a music producer. / Take care of my kids, work hard. / When I was at Mexico. / To become a rockstar. / To be in the SWAT. / To become a surgeon. / To know what you’re going for in life. / To have 1 million dollars. / My dream is to be in the Army. / My most important is hope. / To join the Army. / To be a rockstar in a band. / To Marines. / Become a music producer.

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

Thoughts Shared: To have determination. / When you get upset you stay calm. / Communicate, teamwork, getting to know people. / Be good with people, to imagine things in my head. / To have determination. / That I have to believe I can do it and I’ll make it. / To not let any stop me. / To always be positive. / To never stop trying. / That other people can help. / How to stay calm. / Don’t follow others. / Keep believing. / To believe in self. / Work hard.

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

Post 100% discovered something new in the workshop.

Thoughts Shared: That with motivation, you can achieve your dream. / That I wanna achieve my goals. / Face my fear. / To stay calm if want to start something. / You could moment yourself. / That I’m an important person. / That anything is possible. / That you can motivate yourself. / That I’m worth something. / That other people have the same fear. / Math, history, how to do things in the Army. / I didn’t learn none, I already know. / Speak in front of others. / That people care about my dreams. / Take care of myself. / Communicate.

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: Yes, we all have same fears. / That some of them wanna be a cop. / They are chill, cool people, funny. / Not to fight with people. / Yes we have same feeling. / That we have different hopes, fears, and dreams. / Everyone is different. / That we all have the same fear. / They fear what I fear. / They are kinda alike. / Their fears and their dream. / People was be a cop. / They have the same fears. / Not much. / They friendly, they care about people. They are different.

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

Thank you all John F. Long Foundation from our hearts and the hearts of those we serve 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 are able to find 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 602-818-6959