Building Resilient Youth What Is Ambassadors of Compassion?
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Building Resilient Youth What is Ambassadors of Compassion? Ambassadors of Compassion (AOC) is a coach-led leadership/mentorship program that equips youth with the personal leadership skills necessary to navigate and succeed through life’s inevitable challenges. The program is scientifically measured and proven to build resiliency in the lives of youth. It brings together the wisdom and expertise of successful leaders, influencers, and educators. During this unique course students will discover concepts, principles, and insights that will help them become the person they have always hoped to become. It is designed to challenge and assist youth in accomplishing their goals and dreams and to help prepare them to positively shape and influence the world around them. What Does Ambassadors of Compassion Accomplish? The AOC program helps youth define who they are, where they belong, and where they are going in life. It guides them through the process of releasing hurt, learning to forgive, and overcoming negative experiences and disappointments. Through service projects that help draw the community together, the program furthers a student’s personal growth and development as they learn to serve the needs of others and their community. The AOC program envisions millions of resilient, self-sufficient, and compassionate youth taking responsibility for their own lives, while serving the needs of their community and world. Through the AOC program, students gain a greater confidence in their own strengths and abilities, while enhancing their lives by giving them a new sense of purpose and belonging. This program provides the personal leadership skills to help youth reach their goals and dreams. What Makes the Ambassadors of Compassion Program Effective? - AOC uses healthy life principles to enhance student growth and personal skills. - AOC has a caring coach who promotes inquiry and the personal growth of students. - AOC protects student confidentiality in a setting that encourages group participation and discussion. - AOC connects with the emotions of students, not just their mind. - AOC asks penetrating questions that generate life-enhancing discussions. - AOC has Calls to Action that encourages each student to activate the program’s concepts into their personal life. - AOC has group interaction to help students be accountable to each other. 1 - AOC has a journal for students to track their personal feelings and reflections. - AOC furthers personal growth and development through both individual and group service projects. What Educators Are Saying About AOC “I’ve witnessed the results from students who have completed the Ambassadors of Compassion LIFE and RISE training in Respect, Responsibility, and Resiliency, and they are transformational.” Gene Bedley – School Administrator, National Outstanding Educator of the Year "The Ambassadors of Compassion program has provided our students with the unique chance to give back to the community, and throughout the process, find their voice. It has provided our students with an overwhelming amount of individual confidence and has allowed them to not only find out what they stand for, but also realize who they really are." Trish McCarty - Founder and CEO, Star Shine Academy Schools “Ambassadors of Compassion is truly a cutting edge new model for mentoring. It has eliminated all the barriers that stopped mentoring programs in the past from being successful and reinforced what makes mentoring positive and life-changing.” Heidi Cisneros – Executive Director, Pupil Support Services, Santa Ana Unified School District, CA "Students at Crestview High School in Phoenix have been greatly impacted by the Ambassadors of Compassion program. This opportunity to structure a safe place for students to talk and discuss issues was a truly amazing thing." Samantha Sinclair - Grants Coordinator, Leona Group Charter Schools "The Ambassadors of Compassion program has provided our students with the unique chance to give back to the community, and throughout the process, find their voice. It has provided our students with an overwhelming amount of individual confidence and has allowed them to not only find out what they stand for, but also realize who they really are." Anthony D. Fusco Jr., M.Ed. - History Instructor and Ambassadors of Compassion Team Coach, West Phoenix High School “This is a much-needed program. It teaches the kids about service. It lifts up their spirits and empowers them.” School Coordinator - AZ "We all have something amazing to offer the world. Ambassadors of Compassion allows students to recognize what they have to offer and how to give back in a meaningful way." Amy Kernin-Laye - GEAR UP Project Director, State Department of Education of Idaho What Students Are Saying About AOC "I now know I have hope for the future. Ambassadors of Compassion was the best thing I have ever done in my entire life." 2 Lyric - High School Student "I was kicked out of 16 schools in 4 years. I would get into at least one fight everyday, maybe even more. I am extremely grateful to Ambassadors of Compassion for giving me a chance to understand many parts of myself that I never thought existed.” Yisel - Honors Graduate, University of Alabama “The Ambassadors of Compassion experience has reinforced qualities in me that can make me a greater leader and example. It has reminded me that life can be tough but it is up to us to persevere through obstacles.” Danny - High School Student "The impact that the Ambassadors of Compassion journey had in my life was that I should never give up on myself or my dreams, and not only that, but also that there are people out there willing to help you and that are going through the same things you're going through." Cinthya - High School Student “The RISE program is intricately designed to prepare you to think beyond the scope of what is in front of you. It allows you to analyze the situation and learn how to adapt to "RISE" above and succeed.” Student - University of Alabama "This Ambassadors of Compassion journey has helped me realize the consequences of un-forgiveness and the changes I need to make for a successful future." Destiney - High School Student “It is easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the modern world without taking time to reflect. The Resiliency Training Program allowed a time and space for that reflection to put things in perspective and as a reminder of the many resources and strengths, from within and external, we have to overcome our daily challenges with hope and perseverance. It was an opportunity to redirect my life through positive thoughts and attitudes while seeing the value of community as a pillar for growth.” University Student "Using the Ambassadors of Compassion journal actually helps me get to know myself better." Emily - High School Student "An Ambassador of Compassion is not just a title but a way of life." Kayon - High school student, awarded a full scholarship to the University of California, Berkley, grew up in a home without a mom or dad and without positive role models "The impact this Ambassadors of Compassion journey had on my life was to stay in school, get good grades, and go to college. The most important thing I learned was to be yourself and not let anybody tell you what you can't do." Adam - High School Student 3 "The Ambassadors of Compassion experience has really made me think more about life. The most important thing I have learned is that forgiveness is really important in life." Rebecca - High School Student "Ambassadors of Compassion taught me a lot of valuable life skills and it showed me the responsibility we have to give back to the community." Stephanie - High School Student, Australia "The L.I.F.E. training taught me confidence, self-esteem, and how to be assertive. It also taught me not to blame myself for the things that happened in my life that I had no control over. One of the most important things that I learned was, 'Holding a grudge is like drinking poison, and hoping that the other person will die.' That quote really hit home, because I am a person that holds grudges." Monica - High School Student "The things that I liked most from this experience are that it helped me develop and helped me grow as a person. I think that by this experience I have evolved to a greater person just how my way of viewing life has changed. The journey has made me think of my life more positive as well as made me realize that all the mistakes of the past, not only have helped me by learning from them, but by becoming more aware of the little things that happen in my life. The most important thing I learned from this experience is that everything in each person's life, no matter how bad it is, you always have to look at the positive side and use it to help you later in life." Carolina - High School Student "The most important concept I have learned is that I will not stand alone when all odds seem to be against me. I will always remember that there are other youth who have survived hardships. I have really looked into what kind of person I am and my full potential as a leader and an Ambassador of Compassion." Maribel - High School Student, CA "What I learned from our Ambassadors of Compassion community service is that helping others makes me feel better about myself. The Ambassadors of Compassion journey has taught me to be selfless and thankful." Jacob - High School Student "I'm 15 years old. The experience I had while being in AOC is that it helped me stay on track and achieve my goals. The impact that this journey had on my life is that it helped me to realize the important things life has to offer.