Leaders PLUS ME in Huntington Park

Last week we completed our first ever Leaders PLUS ME pilot program in Huntington Park. For those of you who follow our Social Media accounts, you know it turned out to be a HUGE success!

The program focused on the following topics: Knowing Yourself/Self-Confidence/Goal Setting/Grit

There were over 50 high school students in attendance for our two-day program, along with a camera crew that was there to capture our journey.  Throughout the program, the students watched various YouTube videos, participated in heartfelt dialogues relating to each topic, listened to powerful personal narratives, and discovered things about themselves that they will never forget.

When asked to create a list of things they've accomplished in their lives, over half the group felt they had nothing to write down. They did not feel like they had anything to be proud of and felt they had never accomplished anything.

Our goal was to get the students to shift their mindsets and realize that there were many things that they had accomplished and should be proud of.

Here are just a few the students shared after they realized they were accomplishments:

• "I successfully completed the Police Academy program."
• "I was the starting Quarterback for my HS for 2 straight years."
• "I have maintained a 3.0 GPA in high school."
• "I have made my parents proud."

After working in small groups, we had students brainstorm and set various goals for themselves.

"I will graduate high school by June of 2015 by passing all of my A-G requirements and completing all of my assignments on time."

"I will start college in Fall of 2015 after earning my high school diploma and getting accepted to the college that I have applied to."

"I will land a kick flip on my skateboard before this summer by practicing each week after school."

"I will be the first in my family to earn my high school diploma in June of 2015 by passing my classes and staying positive about my education."

Personality strengths were discovered. Personal accomplishments were highlighted. Goals were set. 
Personal mantras were quoted. Self-confidence was increased. Grit was established. 

We ended our program by having the students record their FILM (Feelings/Inspiration/Learnings/Motivation) and share their final thoughts with the group.

On one of the feedback forms, one student wrote: "I feel grateful that I was picked to attend this program. I have never been to anything like this before and I realized no matter how many times I fall, I can always get back up."

I hope you can take some time away from your busy life to reflect on all your amazing accomplishments. And while you do that, don't forget to be grateful for all those times you fell and found a way to get back up!

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