CHOICES Champion
The CHOICES Champion brings you news and information about the CHOICES program, management tips, case studies and more. We welcome your suggestions, submissions and comments, which can be sent to info@choices.org or to your primary CHOICES contact.
CHOICES NEWS:
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Bank of America Awards $125,000 Grant to CHOICES for Second Year in a Row |
CHOICES Education Group announced today that Bank of America has awarded them a new grant in the amount of $125,000, equal to last year’s record contribution to CHOICES. The grant will be used primarily to support delivery of the CHOICES stay-in-school workshop in communities where the bank has a presence, either through its own Team Bank of America volunteer organization, or in partnership with qualified Chambers of Commerce and Rotary Clubs. “In tough economic times, visionary organizations keep their focus on what matters,” said Leo Muller, Executive Director of CHOICES. “Bank of America has made a powerful statement with this grant. This speaks volumes about the Bank’s commitment to youth and education, and their belief in CHOICES to help teens achieve.” Thank you, Bank of America!
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CHOICES MANAGEMENT TIP OF THE MONTH
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New CHOICES Factor Cards replace Fortune Cookie Cards |
In order to contain costs and provide more flexibility in this down economy, we are replacing the CHOICES Fortune Cookie Cards with new CHOICES Factor Cards. The new cards will begin shipping in mid-to-late February. They are the size of a business card and are shrink-wrapped in sets of 30. They include all the same content as before and you will use them in the same way, except that instead of asking the students to open them, you will ask them to simply flip them over…how hard is that? For easy reference by presenters, an instructional card is included with each set. An updated CHOICES Presenter Guide that incorporates instructions for use of the CHOICES Factor Cards is available for download in the Program Manager Resource Center on our website – simply click on the Client Log-In link in the lower left-hand corner of our home page at www.choices.org. We hope you enjoy the ease and convenience of these new cards!
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CHOICES FIELD REPORT
Lexcom Communications Celebrates 20 Years of CHOICES
Lexcom's Michael Smith In Action |
When Lexcom Communications in Lexington, NC makes a commitment, it’s for the long haul. The end of this school year will mark 20 years of CHOICES for Lexcom, and will also represent more than 700 workshop presentations delivered to more than 20,000 students in Davidson County Schools…and they still love doing CHOICES. Why? Program Manager Phoebe Marshall says it’s because they see the impact…and they get the love back from the teens and the educators! |
Here's what the Davidson students said about CHOICES:
- “This was very eye opening”
- “I did not know how hard it is to handle money.”
- “Thanks for making it fun to learn about growing up and making choices.”
- “It was a big motivation on planning for my future.”
- “I’m getting my diploma!”
- “Thank you so much. I would like to do it all over again!”
Here's what the Davidson educators said about CHOICES:
- “It is obvious to see that the employees who present the CHOICES program really care about our students and their future.” —Donna Smith, Lead Teacher, Central Davidson Middle School
- “The kids LOVED the programs you provided. I wish all classes could have this opportunity.” —Suzanne Stevens, School Counselor, North Davidson Middle School
Lexcom also enjoys the strong support of Richard Reese, their Chairman, President and CEO, who recently commented, “CHOICES helps to prepare the young people of today so that we will have enlightened customers in the future making improvements in our area.”
Thanks to Phoebe, Richard, and Lexcom Communications for their incredible commitment to teens! |
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The Dropout Epidemic
- 7,000 teens become high school dropouts every school day
- High correlation with being jobless, homeless & in prison
- Earn $260,000 less than H.S. graduates over lifetime
- Cost nation $209,000 each for healthcare, welfare and crime
- We incur $1.5 billion in future losses every school day
The CHOICES Response
- Personal empowerment & personal responsibility
- Connect school to the future
- Nearly 1,000 teens served every school day
- 1,800 community volunteers in 46 states
- Cost of less than $5 per teen
The CHOICES Impact
- Over 5 million served since 1985
- 88% approval rating from students
- 97% approval rating from teachers
- 9% increase in positive engagement coincident with CHOICES
- 9% decrease in negative or non-engagement
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