In The Atlantic March 2010 issue Don Peck writes, "The Great Recession may be over, but this era of high joblessness is probably just beginning. Before it ends, it will likely change the life course and character of a generation of young adults." Firm Foundations' Rising Stars™ program is designed to help today's youth develop personal leadership skills and begin to set goals and directions for their lives beginning at an earlier age.

As parents and youth counselors ourselves, we recognize the truth of Mr. Peck's words and are committed through our Rising Stars™ program to do something about it.

The Research
Research shows a majority of youth engage in health-compromising behavior. More importantly, a recent report from the American Medical Association captures the importance of this goal:

"For the first time in the history of this country, young people are less healthy and less prepared to take their places in society than their parents. Moreover, this is happening at a time when our society is more complex, more challenging, and more competitive than ever before."

The Rising Stars™ Process
Rising Stars™ is a process that helps youth develop their ability to make positive life choices based upon sound values and a vision of a successful future. It helps students improve their GPAs, increase attendance rates, develop positive attitudes and self-confidence, and reduce risk behaviors. The process is an innovative and unique inside-out development process that focuses on four critical elements that promote personal leadership, healthy behaviors, and the skills employers identify as essential for today's global market. The four elements are:

• developing positive attitudes
• developing interpersonal skills
• developing goal-achievement skills
• developing time-management skills

Leadership is essential in enabling youth to develop character, confidence, and values that promote the understanding of healthy behavior. Mr. Peck goes on to say in his article, "Many of today's young adults seem temperamentally unprepared for the circumstances in which they now find themselves." Rising Stars™ helps young people improve and develop positive attitudes and self-confidence as well as reduce risk behaviors.

The Results
With a 10 year track record, Rising Stars™ graduates have shown improved personal leadership skills as they begin to set goals and directions for their lives. A sampling of Outcomes from the Rising Stars™ process include:

• Confidence in their Future
• Application of self-leadership skills
• Reduced risk behavior
• Increased school attendance and performance
• Goal-oriented, informed decisions
• Grade point increases
• Increased college attendance

Contact our office to learn more about this dynamic, proven life development process that will build a firm foundation for your child or youth organization members – a foundation for life-long learning, development and achievement - as tomorrow's leaders.

 

Your success starts with an initial, no cost-no sales meeting, a "mutual evaluation" if you will, to see if we can help each other. Call today to arrange an appointment.

"You have been a wonderful help. Everything I have learned from you will be forever useful in my life."
   - Amy Y

"My life was already heading in the right direction and I did not need any help. I took the program anyway and have furthered myself with the things I have learned about life, attitude, and goals. This is stuff you won't learn in school."
   - Brendon C (Junior)

"I took the program to figure out how to develop a stronger work ethic so I could figure out how to achieve my dreams. I definitely think it was worth it to sign up."
   - Carol W. (Senior)

"I thought the program was just going to be about leadership, but I developed more self-confidence and I am learning about myself instead of somebody else."
   - Jessica S. (Sophomore)

"I was not sure what I would learn in the program, but it helped me realize that whatever goal you have is attainable."
   - Nikki M. (Sophomore)