S.P.A.R.K. (Speaking to the Potential, Ability and Resilience inside Kids) Mentoring Program

 
One of the most important lessons that people — especially young people — can learn is that they are not victims living perpetually at the mercy of their circumstances, that they need not live in fear and anxiety due to their interpretations of others’ behavior and imaginings of others’ thoughts about them. Instead, when one learns that there are actual principles behind how our minds work, it soon becomes apparent that all inner experience (feelings, emotions) is generated within, 100 percent of the time, through the power of thought.

Through the S.P.A.R.K. Program, a 12- to 20-week curriculum, meeting once a week for 30 to 60 minutes, students will be introduced to the principles behind how the human mind works, and how conscious experience is created — to the inside-out nature of life. The program is designed to foster insight within each student, through which the lessons can become a permanent part of the student’s navigation through the concerns of daily life.
ICAP has been using the S.P.A.R.K. Mentoring Program to fulfill its goals to enable youth empowerment/resilience.
The S.P.A.R.K. curricula — originating in 2010 — bring forth the potential, ability, and resilience of K-12 students, addressing such vital concerns as Social & Emotional Learning (SEL), bullying, drug use, violence, and dropping out. This preventative program has now been successfully implemented in schools all over the United States, as well as on three other continents. These revolutionary curricula cultivate human potential one thought at a tme, through education, mentoring and coaching.

S.P.A.R.K. Objectives & Results:
The S.P.A.R.K. mentoring curricula use age-appropriate content and activities proven to effectively reduce risk of high school drop out, drug use, bullying, suicide, depression and healthy relationships. These programs prepare students for the self-sufficiency and resiliency needed to become productive young adults.

The S.P.A.R.K. program addresses the following risk and protective factors:
• Academic Success – 27% reported an increase in value of education
• Emotional Competency and Resiliency – 55% reported feelings of confidence in their future.
• Self-Efficacy Skills – 74% reported an increase of confidence in the ability to lead positively by example.
• Communication Skills – 74% increase in those that saw themselves as a positive role model to others.
• Conflict Resolution Skills – 54% more reported that they respect themselves and others.
• Connectedness to Family, School and Community – 23% increase in reports that a strong relationship with a parent, guardian or other positive adult role model is important. 66% reported an increase in valuing their community and community service.

Lesson Topics:
Connections and Goals • Your Excellence Unlocked • Decision Making: A Chain Reaction • Understanding Your Feelings • Your Creative Potential • Finding your SPARK • Understanding Your Community • Uncovering Your Confidence • Navigating Frustration and Stress • Appreciating the Diversity Among Us • Relationships • Bullying Inside-Out • Unmasking Your Potential • The Future is Yours

Results:
A 2015-2016 S.P.A.R.K. data poll measured how students respond to this curricula. The following statistics show the positive growth between pre- and post-program surveys:
+12.5% more participants demonstrate a greater sense of self-worth
+11.7% more participants display a deeper connection with peers
+11.1% more participants demonstrate an increase in communication and conflict-resolution skills
+8.1% more demonstrate a deeper connection to adults in their lives
+3.6% more express a greater sense of hope for their failure

Adopted in schools in nine countries, S.P.A.R.K. has earned accolades from teachers and students:

“Before S.P.A.R.K., I was depressed and self-conscious. But now, I don’t have a lot of ‘stinking thinking.’ Channeling my inner S.P.A.R.K. has helped a lot. I love this class.” Camilla, age 16 – student

“I have been listening to my instincts more, I focus more, and I’m a happier person. I’m more open-minded.” Jayden, age 14 – student

“I am blown away. This is, without a doubt, the most comprehensive training program I have ever been involved with. Schools love it and they also amazed at the level of thought that has been put into S.P.A.R.K. — from training to classroom tools.” Julie Brown – S.P.A.R.K. Curriculum Instructor

“My students and I began to connect. The kids love it. By the end of the year, I’d made relationships with students I thought I would never reach. S.P.A.R.K. really change my students and it really changed me.” Christy Weatherington – teacher at Lennard High School in Ruskin, Florida

To learn more, please contact Alon Doron, Director of Development, at 310.490.0166 or alondoronla@gmail.com

 
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