Greetings! This is my third week working with potential mentors at a local urban-area high school. Most are juniors, and all are fantastic! They have wonderful attitudes, are enthusiastic, and are fun to work with!.
I would love to see legislation enacted which would require every capable high school junior or senior to be a mentor for one year. What a huge difference their services would make on the "at risk" teens who consider joining a gang or dropping out!
The statistics regarding mentoring are quite impressive:
· "Children who met with a mentor three times a month for one year were 46 percent less likely to begin using illegal drugs. There was also a
· 27 percent decrease in initiating alcohol use,
· 37 percent decrease in lying to parents,
· 52 percent less likehood of skipping school, and
· 33 percent less likehood of getting into fights." (Statistics from a nationwide review of Big Brother/Big Sister's Programs by Tierney & Grossman)
Even more statistics abound about the cost to the economy of dropouts, but what about the child who drops out? What kind of future does he or she have?
PROBLEM:
High school dropouts are a major problem. A high percentage of dropouts end up in prison, costing the state approximately $46,000 a year per inmate. If 8 out of 10 potential dropouts stayed out of prison as a result of this program, there would be savings of millions of dollars a year.
Another recent Star Ledger editorial headline read: Cause of Death: Gangs!!! "A study has found that more than half of all homicides in New Jersey are related to gang activity . . ." That fact alone is a great incentive to keep kids in school.
Further in the editorial: "Law enforcement is only part of the solution. The best way to protect against the resulting violence is to understand the reasons young people are drawn to gangs . . . to find ways to counter that attraction."
SOLUTION:
The KEY TO STUDENT RETENTION Is To Provide EVERY Student With Three Things That All Kids Need--Acceptance, Validation, and Guidance, e.g., mentoring!!
To learn more, go to "AtRiskKids" to get your 40-page F*REE E-Book and Learn More About the Solution.
To help bring these programs to schools, I need lots of help! EARN MONEY/SAVE KIDS--what could be better? If you are interested, get the e-book and contact me!
Have a great week and may your daffodils blossom,
Gail
P.S. Check out my bookstore on amazon.com.
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Feature Article:
SECOND FEEDBACK FORM
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by Gail Cassidy
This second feedback form is very similar to the first but varies insofar as the use of the numbers is concerned. This second form also does not do the promotion the first one does. You decide on what works best for you. If you look at the books in the bibliography, you will find additional suggestions for feedback forms.
I'd like your feedback.
You've heard a lot from me today. Now I'd like to hear from you. Please let me know how you felt about this program. If you have thoughts that may help me improve what I do, I sincerely want to hear them.
Speaker: (name of speaker) Date: ____________
Company/Organization/Club Name: ___________________________
Location _____________________ City ____________ State ______
Please circle the type of presentation:
Conference Convention Trade Show Annual Meeting
Workshop Seminar Keynote Training Program
_________________________________________________________
Please circle the appropriate number.
1. How valuable were the ideas, concepts, and program content?
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Highly Mostly Fairly Slightly
2. How effective was the presentation of the information?
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Highly Mostly Fairly Slightly
3. How do you rate the program overall?
Excellent Good Ok Fair Poor
4. What did you like most about this program?
5. What did you like least about this program?
6. May we use your comments for our promotional material?
If yes, please initial for your approval. YES NO
7. Who do you know that might be interested in attending this type of program?
Name Title
Company
Address
City State Zip
Telephone: e-mail:
Thanks for your input,
Gail Cassidy
http://www.coachability.com
gail@coachability.com
Design a feedback form that meets your needs. But remember, you want to get as many testimonials as possible.
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Quote of the Day
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"Every decision you make - every decision - is not a decision about what to do. It's a decision about Who You Are. When you see this, when you understand it, everything changes. You begin to see life in a new way. All events, occurrences, and situations turn into opportunities to do what you came here to do. "
Neale Donald Walsch, Author of Conversations With God
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