MYCP - Monroe Youth Challenge Program

Stories of Change

Stories of change is the newsletter for Monroe Youth Challenge Program.

Stories of Change

February 2008

In this two-minute report

you'll see how what we do,

with the work we love,

changes the planet

thanks to friends like you.

Parent Support Saves Lives

Please come to the Town Hall Meetings Feb. 11 and 13

Keys parents are concerned and outraged about passé attitudes toward house parties that brew risky and often life-threatening behaviors.

In response, Monroe Youth Challenge Program invites any concerned adult to attend a "Turn On The Lights" Town Hall Meeting. In partnership with the school district they are to be held in Marathon at the Stanley Switlik School Auditorium Monday, Feb. 11 and Key West High School Auditorium Wednesday, Feb. 13. Both meetings are set for 6 p.m.

Free child care is provided in separate rooms with age-appropriate activities. A reception follows immediately.

Students Speak Out to Change School Climate

Upcoming Diversity Conference, Tool for Administrators

The upcoming Diversity Conferece (watch for dates) is to train students from all three high schools in cultural awareness and learning styles. After a full day of experiential activities, a handful of students from each school are to be invited back for a televised forum on diversity.

The forum is to be filmed for administrators to watch and study. The students are to be showcased for their solutions to the achievement gap and suggestions to improveme to school climate .

Students Recommit to 'Be the Change'

Challenge Day Reunion Coming Soon

Just a few short months since more than 1,000 freshmen experienced their first Challenge Day, they have the chance to reunite and recommit to the vision they had to make their school the school of their dreams.

This action-packed, soul-lifting experience set for Wednesday, Feb. 27 is to recharge each student for the last half of the year. They can be the change they want to see in the world!

Greenman Third in National Speech Contest

Calls Nation to 'Be the Change'

Marathon High School Senior Katie Greenman, challenged a national audience to "Be the Change" they want to see in the world and attributes her inspiration to the six years she has participated in and lead MYCP events and programs. She wrote:

I would like to thank to the entire Monroe County Community for the overwhelming support you all showed me during this National Public Speaking Competition. I tied for 3rd Place and received a $3,750 scholarship, not to mention an experience that I will continue to grow from for the rest of my life. Thank you again for all the support through voting, emails, prayers, and thoughts...I felt it the WHOLE WAY and appreciate it more than I can say!

Much Love, Katie Greenman

Todd Leads 5,000 Toward Dream

Where are they now? RALI TODD

It was 2001 when Rali Todd, a student at Coral Shores, attended Challenge Day. He was a tough guy in the back of the room -- untouchable.

After meeting an adult volunteer there they had the opportunity to develop a mentoring relationship. That brief season helped him through some tough times, especially with academics.

Now he is the mentor who touches lives everyday in his business of coaching and encouraging basketball players to reach for their dreams.

The teachers who had Rali might like to know the writing he did for his inaugural web site sold more than 5,000 basketball training programs in the first six months.

Now living in Miami, he went from being a top trainer at Bali to starting his own business as a personal trainer and then moved into his online entrepreneurial business.

When he is not with a client, he can be found at the keyboard managing his business at www.gobasketballpro.com or speaking in college classes about motivation and success.

While there are many people to thank, this month's gratitude corner is dedicated to President and General Manager Rob Robbins and Development Director Thu-Thao Ayers of WMKL-91.9 FM The Call.

When they read the public service announcement sent two weeks before the first Turn on the Lights Town Hall Meeting they asked if they could provide refreshments and hors d'oeuvres.

They found a partnering sponsor, hired a caterer and transformed the school entryway into a reception hall with twinkling lights and overflowing buffet tables. Parents and community leaders lingered and talked about how to make life safe for youth in Monroe County.

Rob and Thu-Thao, Thank You for Being the Change!