Eleven-year-old Mary Evelyn Brock has been taught to practice the golden rule. But it wasn’t until the same values she learned at home became an emphasis in her classroom that she began to grasp the concept of respecting and caring for others.
Brock recently completed four years of the Core Essentials program while attending Lakeview Academy in Gainesville.
“I liked it," she said, "because I learned how to have a genuine concern for other people.”
Many programs devoted to building character in metro Atlanta’s youth are centered on classroom performance, sports or entrepreneurship. Programs like Core Essentials, Sisters of Today and Tomorrow and Youth Hope Builders Academy take a distinctive approach, teaching the importance of global values, building a network in the community and Christian identity.
Sherry Brock, Mary Evelyn’s mother, is pleased with the effect Core Essentials has had on her children. She has three other children who have been involved in the program.
“My kids come home and ask me how my day was," she said.
She believes her children now have a clearer understanding of what is expected of them, adding, "It reinforces what they’ve learned at home.”
The Chick-fil-A sponsored program partners with elementary schools using software that provides a value-of-the-month curriculum. It incorporates universal values such as generosity, respect and honor.
Mary Evelyn intends to continue practicing Core Essential values.
"As you get older, you really start to get it,” she said. “I think it’s ingrained in my life."
Educational expert Dr. Don Leech at Valdosta State University believes kids become more productive adults as a result of character building programs. “Sharpening talents and interests can create the glue they need to apply positive values into adulthood,” he said.
“I know I have a lot of talents and I’m learning how to be more assertive,” said Idalis Melancon.
Meloncon, 13, is gaining confidence from Sisters of Today and Tomorrow, a program that caters to girls age 9 to 18 who have an interest in learning to network and build leadership skills in their community. The program also incorporates self-esteem enhancement and career development.
Carla Morrison, director of Sisters of Today and Tomorrow, requires girls to introduce themselves to local store owners, librarians, police officers and city council members.
“I want my girls to know them by name and I want the community to know who my girls are,” Morrison said.
Aside from getting to know others, the Youth Hope Builders Academy teaches youth the significance of Christian identity and self-assurance. Youth Hope Builders Academy is a theological program for high school students with a concentration in Christian identity and vocation. During the year-long program, students cope withsocietal issues affecting them through role-playing and critical thinking.
At least once a the year, kids participate in a video conference with youth in a different country.
"[Character building] is about building relationships beyond our borders,” said Dr. Anne Wimberly, executive director of Youth Hope Builders Academy.
Markell Magsby, 17, remembers a video conference with children from Ghana. “We all believe in the same things and want to grow as Christians,” he said.
Magsby knows that being a Christian teen is not the easiest lifestyle to uphold in today’s society, but the video conference allowed him to feel more connected.
“That just let me know we’re not the only ones in this,” he said.
Contact Info
Core Essentials: Visit www.coreessentials.org or call 678-845-7178
Sisters of Today and Tomorrow: Visit www.sistersoftodayandtomorrow.org or call 404-319-2130
Youth Hope Builders Academy: Visit www.youthhopebuildersacademy.org or call 404-614-6321
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