About two years ago, I decided I wanted to study to be a teacher because I want to make a difference in kids' lives, especially the lives of individuals with disabilities. I want to make kids realize that they are capable of anything; that they have all the potential in the world to do whatever they want to achieve. Some kids need just a little push to realize this; others need quite the shove.
An opportunity has been offered to me through the Art of Living Foundation and its sister organization, the International Association for Human Values. I can go train for two weeks to be an instructor for a program called YES! for Schools. YES! stands for Youth Empowerment Seminar. The course teaches high school kids breathing techniques to calm their minds, control their stress, and empower their potential to change the world. I wish I had learned these techniques in high school; my life would've been so much more productive -- and I already had a pretty productive high school career! Teaching kids these techniques is important to me because they learn how to be the best they can be. I've heard stories from instructors that have gone into inner-city Chicago schools, taught this course, and have seen the complete turn-around and change in kids. My YES+ instructor always likes to tell a story about a 15-year-old drug dealer and gang recruiter who went through one of the YES! courses she taught and who is now devoted to serving his community. It's not enough for me to tell you all this; please go and see for yourself: there's a video on this website that is a testimony to the YES! course from several different schools. Here's the website: http://yes4schools.wordpress.com/
Here's the catch. In order for me to be on my way to teach this course, I need to attend a two-week training-intensive session in the San Francisco Bay area over the summer. Unfortunately, everything these days, including volunteering, costs money. I'm coming to you to ask you to help my achieve my dream. I think this is truly something that is not only an investment in my future, but in the futures of others. I'm going to make a positive impact on the world by empowering others to do the same.
Please donate to my cause. The donation button at the top left corner of this site will allow you to donate online. It doesn't matter if it's $1, $3, $5, or $20 -- every single bit brings me closer to achieving my dream.
More information on the YES! for Schools program can be found at: http://www.youthempowermentseminar.org/YES/YESHome.html
Here's some information about the YES! program from http://yes4schools.wordpress.com/___________________________________________________________________
Public schools in this country are failing our young people. School’s emphasis on standardized testing tells students that it’s more interested in the student remembering facts, than learning things relevant to their lives. The focus is on academic learning only, ignoring the development of the WHOLE person. We demand that students PAY ATTENTION without actually teaching them HOW TO PAY ATTENTION. Student’s minds and emotions all over the place YET we wonder why 50% are dropping out of high schools in major cities.
Schools don’t address the issues that teens are facing outside of school, such as domestic abuse, gang violence, and substance abuse. Schools address these deeper issues that are in the forefront of the minds of their students. How can young people learn academically when they’re afraid to walk home because they might be killed on the way; or their parents beat them when they get home; or they’re pressured constantly to drink and take drugs?
When we give the youth the opportunity to define a clear direction for their own lives, then we are giving true guidance. This is what the Youth Empowerment Seminar does. YES! allows for students to realize that I create my own reality. I choose the direction of my own life. In YES! students learn,”I cannot change all the circumstances of my life, BUT I can change the way I deal with them.”
YES! is a dynamic program that teaches practical and powerful techniques to deal with stress and manage emotions in a unique and FUN way. YES! provides a variety of breathing techniques, yoga, games, opportunities to connect with people on a deeper level, and interactive processes which bring a deeper understanding of basic human values, emotions, and the mind. STRESS is replaced with EMPOWERMENT, ENTHUSIASM, and a sense of belongingness to the people in my own community and the world.
Here is an opportunity for YOU to be a part of making a positive impact in the lives of high school students; to be a role model for a young person who has little positive influence in their life; to make a difference in your own life by helping young people realize their potential; to uplift society by uplifting its future.
THIS SUMMER IAHV (International Association for Human Values) is offering a 2 week training, as well as 2- 5 week fieldwork, to become an intern for the YES! program in high schools. First you learn techniques to focus, become more efficient, and reduce stress overall for your own life. THEN we learn how to teach YES! to high school students. You will assist certified YES! teachers in summer programs taking place in various cities across the U.S. A.
Teaching YES! is an opportunity to color the outlook on life, and provide choices for the young people of America.
PROGRAM:
Intensive Leadership Training:
- YES+ program
- Learn Meditation technique and daily practice of yoga, breathing and meditation
- Learn to teach YES! for high schools
Fieldwork options will be assigned for various cities:
- Assisting Certified YES! Instructor for High School programs and camps
DATES:
Training: June 20 – July 4 2010
Fieldwork: July 4th thru Aug 10th 2010 2-5 week options
LOCATION:
Training: San Francisco Bay Area, California
Fieldwork: SF Bay Area, CA; New York, NY; Chicago, IL
PRE-REQUISITES:
A desire to make a difference for the youth of America.
COST:
$1200 for the program including food and lodging, TRANSPORTATION not included. You will pay the cost of travel to and from training location and fieldwork venues.
For more information on the YES! Program visit
www.youthempowermentseminar.org
(The above text is from http://yes4schools.wordpress.com/)
***SEE ALSO: http://www.dosomething.org/project/yes-schools
Check out this news piece on YES! for Schools:
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/video?id=7378349&syndicate=syndicate§ion=
