Causes That Inspire

The EduCare Foundation: Unlocking Potential Through Educational Compassion

The EduCare Foundation has been forging complex keys to unlock the full potential of students trapped in educational systems reeling from budget cuts and a growing sense of apathy. Stu and Candace Semigran, founders of the EduCare Foundation, promote "kids serving others." They are currently looking to develop partnerships with organizations that share their passion for happy, healthy futures for America's kids.

EduCare's pioneering ACE Program was the first key to dangle from a proverbial ring full of jangling youth motivators. The doors being opened lead to bright futures for students able to gaze beyond themselves. Stu Semigran says, "We are developing kids, and giving them the tools needed to become compassionate leaders, not just successful, self-serving individuals."

In the late 1980s, the Semigrans, educators and professionals in character development and personal effectiveness, noticed a troublesome dichotomy. The educational system in the United States should have been the best in the world, considering our economic prosperity. Instead, students seemed to be falling prey to societal ills and locked in decaying educational systems.

Identifying the obstacles facing students was the first step: low test scores, high dropout rates, prevalence of drugs, and increasing violence. Crafting comprehensive solutions proved challenging as EduCare created programs enabling educators to craft fitting keys for highly individual students.

Their groundbreaking Achievement and Commitment to Excellence Program (the ACE Program) did more than espouse philosophical ideology and motivational jargon. Established in 1987, the ACE Program instantly began providing at-risk youth with "inspiration, motivation, and a practical skill base." The prototype program began in Los Angeles' schools and received immediate, dramatic results. The goal was clear: "To provide interactive and hands-on character development, self esteem, and life skills education to at-risk youth."

Very soon after launching the ACE Program, absenteeism dropped, grades improved, high school completion rates rose, and violence subsided. Additionally, families reported better communication and schools began fostering a more positive and constructive atmosphere. The key to EduCare's success continues to be their ability to instill a sense of hope in hopeless students.

The team of talented professionals involved in conceptualizing and implementing the ACE Program soon began expanding their focus. In the following years, EduCare created a number of equally successful programs. Each new idea was grounded in their mission statement: "To inspire and empower young people to become responsible citizens, compassionate leaders, and to live their dreams."

EduCare's roster of programs has grown to include a Teen Success Training Program (TSTP), Peace-Building and Tolerance Education, an Educator Training Program, Parent Empowerment and Involvement training, and Professional Development. All of these programs have been created with lessons learned from the original and ongoing ACE Program.

EduCare has partnered with more than 200 schools, districts, and youth serving agencies, reaching over 20,000 youth worldwide. The results have become evident in schools, homes, and communities across America. Teaching life skills that last beyond the duration of a program has kept students in good stead. They are given tools to withstand the temptations of drugs, gangs, and other destructive behavior.

One of EduCare's most successful efforts has been the development of student-to-student mentoring programs. Skills are taught at workshops that include ten, three hour sessions. Stu Semigran comments, "The mentoring programs help high school students make a difference in their own lives and the lives of others by becoming after school mentors and positive role models to elementary school age children."

The ACE Student Mentoring Workshops focus on the following areas: conflict resolution training, academic tutoring, and playground activities and management. EduCare reports, "After successfully completing the workshop training, skills are honed during an internship with existing mentors in local after school programs."

Students participating in the mentoring program commit to one afternoon per week, for a three month period. They are supervised and encouraged by certified school personnel and engage in tutoring and playground instruction while providing a positive and real life role model for younger students.

EduCare also provides consulting services and workshops for adults working with at-risk youth. Participants are taught conflict management, staff team building, parental involvement, curriculum innovation, and cultural unity. Keys to motivational freedom have been used to unlock the potential of students exponentially, through these self-sustaining programs.

A partnership with Sunburst Projects of Rohnert Park, California and Insight Seminars of Santa Monica, California has led to serving teens dealing with HIV/AIDS. This includes students who are HIV-positive or have HIV-positive family members. This summer, EduCare will be presenting a Teen Insight Seminar at Camp Sunburst. The seminar is designed to "assist teens in creating more joyful relationships, greater levels of self-confidence, personal success, and happiness."

Areas of focus for the Teen Insight Seminar at Camp Sunburst include: Building leadership skills; creating greater cooperation with others; improving communication skills; increasing motivation, enthusiasm, and self-confidence; developing better relationships with peers, teachers, and parents; and building inner strengths.

Stu Semigran conveys, "The EduCare Foundation is currently looking to partner with an established youth serving organization that share like values and goals in educating and guiding our youth towards positive futures," A successful partnership would exponentially increase EduCare's efforts to improve the outlook for at-risk kids.

Semigran stresses the following, "A partnering organization can look to benefit from EduCare's acclaimed menu of educational workshops and training programs [for teachers, parents, and students]. These programs include stellar classroom curriculum in the following areas: character development, social/emotional literacy, conflict resolution, and peer and cross-age mentoring." He adds, "Potential partners would also benefit from EduCare's established business and community partners, and potential revenue opportunities."

The ACE Program was once EduCare's single key to unlocking the potential of troubled students. The foundation has spent nearly two decades carefully and systematically crafting an entire ring full of keys. Each program represents a different shaped key that fits in with the specialized needs of countless kids. The outcome is empowering youth to live and lead from their hearts...to strengthen them in developing the essential life skills that will wisely guide them throughout their lives.

-- Fundraisers Staff Writer

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