Thanks to the Support of Executive Council Charities - FINAL 2 0 1 3 REPORT RELEASE THE FEAR = Inspiring & empowering kids with the tools to make better life choices...
releasethefear.org = Inspiring & empowering kids with the tools to make better life choices . .
Thanks to the foresight and generosity of
funds from Executive Council Charities, Mr & Mrs, Mapes and Cookie Serrano. This is a final report of a preventative workshop for 18 youth in Phoenix. These 18 children were able to explore new Possibilities through the arts. They are now able to find their Purpose in a more meaningful productive life and a brighter tomorrow.
332 W .Lynwood Street Phoenix Arizona 85003 602-818-6959~info@releasethefear.org ~ www.releasethefear.org
What: Release the Fear, a non-profit health and human services organization, exists
to provide Arizona’s youth the life skills needed to combat the effects of peer pressure and bullying, abuse and violence in our society and to make better life choices. Release the Fear (RTF) has worked with thousands of at-risk youth and adults in Arizona and around the world, 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.
How: 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. Inquiry-based learning is an educational practice where the teacher/facilitator uses controlled questioning to serve as a learning guide in order to move students towards new understandings. Educational research shows that student retention increases when new learning are 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 stillmaturing minds of detained youth view their future as bleak with no hope for a “normal” life.
Approach: 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.
Transformation: 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 22.81 percent. For those who were able to benefit from multiple workshops, it dropped by16.22 percent—nearly half. That is an impressive impact on any child’s future. TURNING PAIN INTO POSSIBILITIES, POSSIBILITIES INTO PURPOSE. . .OPENING YOUNG MINDS FOR A BRIGHTER TOMORROW©
February 2014 RELEASE THE FEAR 2014 RTF Pre/Post Survey Results
Executive Council Charities OVERALL PERCENTAGES 18 Students (1 PB Workshops) Male 44% Female 56% – Youth Ages 12-13 100% discovered something new about themselves 100% discovered something new about classmates and friends. Pre 67% compared to Post 86% realized that they are not alone in their fears. Pre 100% compared to Post 100% realized that they can make their dreams a reality. 100% learned something to help them deal with bullying. 93% stated that they would do something if they saw someone being bullied.
Individual Workshop Percentages 1. February 20-22 2014 Excelencia Schools 18 Students (1 IO-PB Workshops) Male 44% Female 56% – Youth Ages 12-13 100% discovered something new about themselves 100% discovered something new about classmates and friends. Pre 67% compared to Post 86% realized that they are not alone in their fears. Pre 100% compared to Post 100% realized that they can make their dreams a reality. 100% learned something to help them deal with bullying. 93% stated that they would do something if they saw someone being bullied.
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RELEASE THE FEAR, Inc
RELEASE THE FEAR 2013 -14 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
Executive Council Charities
Mr.& Mrs. Mapes and Cookie Serrano
$680.00 $300.00 $150.00 $ 70.00 $ 80.00 $ 60.00 $260.00 $ 50.00 $1,650.00
$ 1,000.00
$ 650.00 $ 1,650.00
Cost Breakdown per workshop with average of 18 youth each: Average cost per daily session: $550.00 Average cost per youth per session $30.55 Per Capita cost per youth workshop:$91.66
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 Executive Council Charities,18 children from Excelencia School experienced Their Possibilities. This workshop took place on August 20-22, 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 12-13. The students are asked to reflect on the following question: How do you think this activity could help you in your daily life (In School, Out of School, or In Your Career)? Who am I? : Learn how to face fear. / Not to judge. When a new student come. When you want to make friends. When you want to know someone more. / That everyone is different. By trying to learn something about someone. You would not judge. You won’t have problems or stuff to worry about. Through the Hoops: Teamwork. Thought the obstacles. It can help you because we can help each. You can help those in need. / Teamwork, communication. You can communicate with your hand. By defending other people. Getting a job. / That we need teamwork. When you do a project. Communicate. When you work in school. / That you need help to achieve something. By helping others with a situation. By helping people not be bullied. By facing difficult obstacles. Reflective Take Away Assignment: That people will be needing help. Yes because the tests are like an obstacle. You need to feel good about yourself. Because it can help you. / Appreciated, selfesteem. When you talk to people. Telling yourself what to do. When meeting new people. / Selfesteem and strength with others. If you have a higher self-esteem. When you need confidence. / That people have different heroes. By appreciating your teacher, appreciating friends. It doesn’t matter what other people think. By not letting other people judge you.
Mirror Work: Look at Yourself in the eyes (ONLY) and tell yourself that you love or like yourself just the way you are.
Makes me happy, feel good about myself. / It makes me feel like my hair is messed up. / It makes me feel like I am pretty no matter what people say. / It makes me feel good and nice, confident about myself. / Makes me feel that I’m just at myself like if I were so repulsive. / It makes me feel like a unique person. / Happy, excited, and shy. / It makes me feel myself. / It makes me feel great. Happy because I am who I am. / I love the way I am because I love the way I look. / It makes me feel good because I look the way I like and how I am. / It makes me feel good because I look the way I like and how I am. / Happy, excited, and shy. / It makes me feel safe because she is always making me feel safe. / It makes me feel special and loved. / This makes me feel confident and bashful. / It makes me feel weird. / It makes me feel lucky that I have a beautiful face. / Looking at myself in the mirror it makes me feel happy and unique. 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 dad. My dad is my hero because he is always there for me! He takes care of me and protects me. / Dad. Because he took me and my family in also he had cancer and he still worked his hardest. That they have integrity. / My dad. I think they are important because he puts a roof over my head. How nice, how confident, and how hard working. / Mom. Take care of me and pays the bills. Kind, sweet, protective. / My parents. They took care of since when I was a baby. I think I would, because being a hero takes good responsibilities. / Messi. He’s important because he is the best player in the world and donates sometimes half of his weekly wage to charity. A hero is someone who goes above and beyond to help others. They need to be courageous, decisive, and helpful. / Batman. Batman is my superhero because he saves people and he fight at night because he wears black. Because he fights for people. For someone that is truthful and saves people’s lives. / Because they are good at basketball. How smart they are. / Messi. I think he is important because he try and he doesn’t care what they think about him. To make everyone happy by doing what he does. / My parents. Because they help me achieve in life. Nice. / Batman. I think Batman is important because he saves people. Because some superheroes are my favorite heroes. / Cristiano Ronaldo is important to me because his moves make me want to play better and keep on trying to achieve my goals. Characteristics I look in a hero is that they’re nice and equal to everyone. / Bear man. This is my super hero. What he does is to teach me not to be embarrassed around people and what the other things are is that he does whatever to help not whatever but yea. Why I think they are important because they help you with anything you need maybe not anything but yea. Their characteristics or qualities I look in my hero is that I think they could do anything for you maybe not anything but yeah. / My mom. They are important because she gave birth to me. I would look for in a hero is. / She is important to me because she loves me and gives me advice. A characteristic she would have is always being happy and smiling. / My mom. My mom is my hero because once we were walking on the sidewalk and a car got on the sidewalk so she pushed my little sister and saved. She sacrificed herself to save her. We are very grateful that she is better now. I think she is important because gave everything for us (her kids). The characteristics I would look for in a hero is if they are nice and if they will do things to save us humans. / Because they help me get through my ups and downs. They would be there when I need them. To be there whenever you need them. / Jamie is my best friend. She’s been with me for 4 years. She is my hero. She is important because she gives me advice and holds my tears. I want them to be respectful. / I think my Grandpa Francisco is important because he helped me a lot and inspired me to be someone in life. I would think that in a hero need to be loving, strong (heart emotional), smart (making decisions), happy.
Seeing Beyond: Visualize, question. Questioning helps when we are confused. Visualize to remember of learn. To know more and on jobs. / Communication, listening, remembering. In science by remembering things for our tests. When you get a job you will need this. / Being descriptive, to be curious. Mind’s eye and senses for writing, science and observation. Like an investigator, ask questions. / Using your 5 senses, using your mind. Using your mind to solve a math problem. By making the right decisions and getting things done.
Drawing one’s Fear’s, Hopes and Dreams and Sharing: Learn how to face fear. Get past bullying. To face him. To go over our fear and our obstacles. / To face our fear. To do a school assignment and help others. To stand up for you and others. To get your dreams. / Learning how to face your fear. To learn how to act over your obstacles. Learn how to get over the bully. When you want to face your fear. / That overcoming your fears are good. To not be shy to share in class. By telling a guardian that you’re being bullied, not stay quiet. By overcoming your fears of doing something. Reflective Take Away Assignment: How things may change. Something might be hard and get easier. You might go through a hard obstacle that gets easier. / Attitude, release what you’re missing. Friends. A good job. / How bad things can turn into a good thing or to look on the positive side of something negative. When you got to high school and you think it will be bad. When bad things happen to you. / You learn to do something that was bad but then good. To learn how to do things. By doing something that you don’t like doing. Describe a time when you had an experience that you perceived (thought/saw) as negative, but through time or something you did, you perceived (thought/saw) the experience as a positive one.
I thought bees would sting us but instead they help us pollen flowers, plants, and produce oxygen. / At first, I was scared that a bee might sting me because it was just flying around me and I realized that would not bit me only if I ran away. I didn’t kill it because that they are helpful to our world. / Whenever I see a bee I think it’s going to sting me. Then I see that it landed on a flower and I’m like “Oh, it is pollinating”. / At first the thought of reading a paper in front of class was scary, then I realized it is not. / Thought about street racing was bad but I thought that they might donate the money to charity. / I was going to shoot the final penalty and I could ruin it for the team. Then when I shot I scored the penalty and won the final for us. / I saw a cricket on the floor and I was going to kill it because it’s noisy but then I thought about that poor little cricket. So I left it all alone and I didn’t kill it because it’s small. / It was when my little brother was born but then I saw he looks up to me. / I did not like my little brother but then I was happy to carry him and spend time with him. / I thought that fruit and vegetables were nasty but then when I saw how much it helps us, I eat them now. / At first, I didn’t really like football but then I thought that it is a great sport and I should play it. But now, I like playing football. / First I thought that taking my time in a test would be bad because I wouldn’t finish but then I got extra time and got a good grade. / My cousin lost my $20 but then she got me food and a $15 sweater. / My dad had cancer from smoking cigarettes and now he is cancer-free and doesn’t smoke. / I saw my mom looking in my notebook and saw who I like. Then my mom wasn’t mad at me, she was so happy and surprised.
RELEASE THE FEAR, Inc
®
Inspiring & empowering kids with the tools to make better life choices . . .
Funded By: Executive Council Charities Location: Excelencia School %Male 44
%Female 56
Dates: February 20-22, 2014
Ages 12-13
Do you think others (Kids my age, older & younger, Adults) have the same Fear as I do? Pre %YES 67 %NO 26 %Maybe 7 Post %YES 86 %NO 7 %Maybe 7 Rate this statement: You feel comfortable speaking in front of others. Pre % Not at all 7 % Sometimes 80 % All the Time 13 Post % Not at all 7 % Sometimes 53 % 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 33 % All the Time 67 Post % Not at all 0 % Sometimes 20 % All the Time 80 Rate this statement: I feel comfortable making my own decisions even when dealing with peer pressure. Pre % Not at all 7 % Sometimes 40 % All the Time 53 Post % Not at all 7 % Sometimes 26 % All the Time 67 Complete this statement: I see myself as a __. Follower, Equal, Leader Pre % Follower 0 % Equal 74 % Leader 26 Post % Follower 0 % Equal 46 % Leader 53 Have you ever been bullied? % Yes 60 % No 40 Have you ever seen someone being bullied? % Yes 93 % No 0 % No Answer 7 Did you do anything? % Yes 100 % No 0 % No Answer 0 Did you learn something in the workshop that will help you deal with bullying? Post % Yes 100 % No 0 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: I think that you should communicate. / No more fear. / To not be scared. / Yes, I learned to front your fears, express your feelings. / You can do so much. / If I see someone getting bullied, I will tell someone. / Yes to face them. / You tell an adult and not stay quiet. / That don’t stay quiet, speak up. / It showed me that they don’t have much power. / To stand up for yourself. / To face your fear. / By facing your fear. / Have no fear. / Face your fear. / By facing my fear. Now, after attending the workshop, if you saw someone be bullied, would you do something? Post % Yes 93 % No 7 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: I will ask them to stop. / Tell teacher. / Help them. / I would tell them stop, be confident. / Because I can stand up. / Because I can stand up to myself. / I will tell an adult. / Yes I will. / Tell the bully to stop. / It showed me that we can make a difference. / I would do. / I would not want to be treated like that. / Tell the teacher. / Because I haven’t seen bullying. / To stop bullying. / Because if that were me, I would want someone to help me.
Did you learn any skills to help you make your own decisions not based on Peer Pressure? Post % Yes 93 % No 7 % No Answer 0 Thoughts Shared: Just do what I think is right. / To work together. / Yes in front of adults. / You have to follow your own feelings. / You can say your own. / I can stand up for myself. / Cause it’s hard. / To not let others judge or tell you what to do. / It showed me that I need to know my path. / Keep moving forward. / To not listen to others. / Because I always get peer pressure. / By doing stuff now. / By learning new tools. What do you think about color? What % gave more thought and shared them about color. Pre 73% Post 100% Thoughts Shared: Pre: Color doesn’t bother me at all. / I think color is very important to many people. / No I have not thought about color. Color doesn’t matter. / Color doesn’t matter at all. / No, I haven’t thought about color. / Color is makes me feel safe when there’s a rainbow, except for black. / Yes that some are different. The color doesn’t mean anything. Everybody is the same. / It is bright and colorful. / As in race I don’t care. I don’t care what someone’s “color” is. / Colors don’t matter and every color is different. / I don’t understand this question. / I think color is what makes us unique. / I think that the people’s color shouldn’t matter. / Color makes my life seem possible and gives me strength to follow my dream. / I don’t understand the question. / I really don’t care about people’s color or race. Post: You can express yourself. / The color are images. / Color is everything. / I learn that there is different colors that express feelings. / You can express yourself. / I can express myself. / Color can help you express yourself. / Color helps you think of many things and color is important. / Coloring gives happiness to, if not then IDK what could happen. / Color is all a way of expressing my feelings. / Color in its own way it expresses you. / You imagine your dream. / Color express how you feel. / Imagining something you can achieve. / How you feel. / It’s very bright. My most important hope or dream is. . . What % gave more thought to their Dreams becoming reality. Pre 100% Post 100% Thoughts Shared: Pre: Is to grow up and become an independent woman. / My dream is to become a professional soccer player. / My most important hope or dream is to go to college. / My most important dream is to grow up and be a cop. / My most important hope is to go to college. / My most important hope or dream is making it to college. / Is to become a soccer pro player. / My most important dream is to go to college and get a good career. / My dream is to play professional soccer. / My most important dream is to achieve all my goals. / My important dream is to be a doctor. / My most important dream is to be a vet. / My dream is to be a veterinarian. / My important dream is to go to California and go to college. / My most important hope/dream is to one day graduate from school with really good grades. / To play in the NBA straight out of high school. / Is to have a cool Camaro car.
Post: Is to graduate high school, go to college, and take care of babies pediatrician. / To play in the 49ers. / Is being the best in the NBA history. / Most important dream is to learn about cosmetology for color and cut. / To own my business. / I want to finish college and be a police officer. / To become a pro soccer player. / To become a mechanic. / My most important dream is to become a pro soccer player. / My most important dream is to graduate from college and become a professional soccer player. / Being a math teacher in ASU or Stanford University. / Is to show people who we are all equal. / Is to be a vet. / To see my grandma and become a teacher to help my parents. / Being a teacher. / My dream is to be a vet because I love dogs. / Dream to make it happen. / To become a zoologist. One thing I learned in workshop that will help me reach my dream is: Post 100% discovered something new in the workshop. Thoughts Shared: Is to face my fear. / Never fear your fear. / Is to fail before you succeed. / Is that I have to face my fear, express my feelings. / Is to not be scared. / I have to face my fear and not be scared. / Is my grades. / To release the fear and a lot of stuff. / One thing I learned in workshop that will help with my goal is that I can get past any obstacle. / Is to never give up. Nothing is impossible. Keep on trying your best. / Never give up, never surrender. / Is to not give up even if you have the hardest path. / Is to move forward. / To be successful. / Never give up. / Face my fear and also be a vet to take care of dogs. / To be successful. / To persevere. 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 I should keep going and believe in my dreams. / To face your fear. / To not be scared of my fear. / That I can express my feeling, face my fears. / That I don’t have to be alone. / I can now speak up without being shy. / That I wasn’t shy. / It’s not good giving up. You need to keep trying. / I learned that I will fail sometimes but it will help me achieve my goal. / That color is unique. It expresses something. / Always persevere and keep moving forward. / I learned that I can express my feelings. / Well that you have to express yourself. / To be an amazing unfear girl. / That I am not that shy. / I didn’t know that I can achieve anything. / That I could be successful. / To be outgoing. What did you learn New in the workshop about a classmate or friend? Post 100% discovered something new about classmates or friends in the workshop Thoughts Shared: That Melissa doesn’t go to church. / About their fear that they have. / He wants to play for Moreira. / I learned that many people have the same fear. / That they have similar fears. / Have a same fear as me. / That they can learn how not to be shy and join the Phoenix Suns. / To be respectful and friends. / I learned that some of my classmates have the same fear as me. / That all people when they first come they’re shy but then they share and not shy anymore. / They mostly have maybe the same dream. / I learned that Fabian is afraid of failure. / We’re all equal or same and have some similar fears. / That Brianna wants to be a dancer. / Fatima’s fear, which is cockroaches. / I learn that people could be scared of spiders. / I learned that Leslie wants to be a teacher. / What they want to be.
RELEASE THE FEAR, Inc
®
Inspiring & empowering kids with the tools to make better life choices . . .
Notes from Psychologist from Mexico and now Student-Teacher at Excelencia:
1. I like to see how you are working like a team. I can see you have good communication. 2. I love the way the students are involved in this. They have great answers, they are not embarrassed, they feel free to talk. I’m sure they will use this information not only at school; they will use it at any place they will be. Will be great for more people to have this kind of information. I can see and feel we are not using excellent communication. We need to improve this topic. When we feel confident, everything will be easier in any area. If we believe, anything will be possible. The only thing we need to do is to be prepared to do it. Responsibility is another big topic to work. Open to learn and be positive. Thank you so much! For everything you do!
Mrs. Draden
Thank you all Executive Council Charities, Mr. & Mrs. Mapes and Cookie Serrano 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