tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56809159753404037522009-10-16T04:32:31.683-07:00Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09275911021415301565noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5680915975340403752.post-81008394150991009852009-05-21T11:27:00.000-07:002009-05-21T17:51:31.410-07:00I have been meaning to post for a while.  I have had so many times during the past few months where I realized our success in our work with kids and wanted to write about it.  I kept putting it off because I was sure there would be plenty more.  But I'm realizing that maybe there won't be more, unless we regroup and find a little bit of luck. I just left a meeting with the after school coordinators at our Berkeley middle schools and realized that I needed to share.<div><br /></div><div>As we appear to be running short on funding - individual giving has nearly stopped and schools just don't have any money - I discussed with the coordinators the future plans for our two Berkeley schools.  I thought they would be sad, if in fact we can't return, but I didn't expect the overwhelming response from them regarding their feelings of our success.</div><div><br /></div><div>At each of the two schools, the coordinators said they saw a growth in the number of participants in our program (our weekly meetings are optional for their students) and those students who participated absolutely caused less trouble at school (one coordinator sited an example given by a janitor about students in our program causing less destruction to the campus).  Funny... this had always been my hypothesis, though it had never been so clearly stated by our school partners without prompting.</div><div><br /></div><div>The coordinators actually said that they were willing to renew our contract for this coming year, during a time when they are cutting others (unfortunately, they still would not be covering all of our costs).  They said kids were engaged and eager to start our meetings every week, and this is the key to success for a program like ours.  They said that, if in fact we don't return next year if we need to shrink to weather this storm, they aren't sure how they will fill the hole we will have left by a program that has lifted off the ground and is creating a community in the student body.</div><div><br /></div><div>We are trying so hard to pull through this tough economy.  We are learning to focus, improve our program, and raise money in more creative ways.  We don't know what is going to happen, but we are trying our hardest to make a difference, and clearly we have...</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5680915975340403752-8100839415099100985?l=futureleadersforpeace.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17140455931577784671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5680915975340403752.post-51988192848379602572009-01-26T11:20:00.000-08:002009-01-26T11:36:15.316-08:00Hey everybody!<div><br /></div><div>I want to encourage everyone to write any inspirational thoughts or experiences here on the blog, so that we can give each other a fun boost and get pumped up about our Club experiences!</div><div><br /></div><div>I have been totally stoked the last couple of weeks because I have finally gotten to see the kids in our Clubs act in such a way that shows the integration of Future Leaders For Peace messages!  It has been a huge inspiration to me, as just a year ago, we were only talking about having Clubs in schools!  The road to successful Club programs has been fun, and a little bumpy at times, and I am glad to see our program finally start to become a bit of an institution at some of our schools  :).</div><div><br /></div><div>We are expanding quite rapidly now, have tighter and more organized methods of development and delivery, and are seeing more engagement in new students right from the get-go!  And it will only get better from  here  :).</div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you everyone for all of your wonderful energy, hard-work, and devotion to this grass-roots cause, and I hope everyone gets to experience the joy of seeing some of your kids grow, and truly become Future Leaders For Peace.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>With Gratitude,</div><div>Danny  :)</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5680915975340403752-5198819284837960257?l=futureleadersforpeace.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02004265567139782306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5680915975340403752.post-4482657674885799052009-01-26T10:51:00.000-08:002009-01-26T10:53:11.795-08:00Hi everyone!<div><br /></div><div>It has been a while since we have posted here and we are going to begin posting our thoughts and feelings about the work of Future Leaders For Peace and the development of our program.  Please check back for more...</div><div><br /></div><div>-Jon</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5680915975340403752-448265767488579905?l=futureleadersforpeace.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17140455931577784671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5680915975340403752.post-30892701222163310012008-04-20T12:40:00.000-07:002008-04-20T12:45:07.052-07:00We have had great success recently and have made many improvements to our program.  Please post any thoughts or comments that might be helpful.  Thanks!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5680915975340403752-3089270122216331001?l=futureleadersforpeace.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17140455931577784671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5680915975340403752.post-5743262235277413332008-04-16T12:39:00.000-07:002008-04-16T12:41:39.156-07:00Yesterday we had our first club meeting... ever. It went well. The students were a little restless at the end of the day, but seemed to get something out of it. This is a work in progress and we want your feedback, volunteers. We'll try again today at Longfellow!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5680915975340403752-574326223527741333?l=futureleadersforpeace.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17140455931577784671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5680915975340403752.post-44067439280920558092008-04-11T15:59:00.000-07:002008-04-11T16:01:25.919-07:00We had a very successful assembly and two workshops with the 7<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> and 8<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span> grade at St. Anthony school today! Thank you Carolyn, Brooke, Brittany, Bianca, and Claire for coming. You were a huge help, and the kids loved you!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5680915975340403752-4406743928092055809?l=futureleadersforpeace.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17140455931577784671noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5680915975340403752.post-82061835828259266682008-04-09T16:16:00.000-07:002008-04-09T16:21:56.818-07:00Hello again!<br /><br />Today's workshops were AMAZING!!! We had less distractions, individual classrooms for the groups, and all of the kids were totally involved! They were enthusiastic, inspired, and definitely looked like they got a lot out of the experience. I am very excited to continue- I know the clubs are going to be awesome!<br /><br />Thank you Maryel for volunteering! It was an awesome day!<br /><br /><br />With Joy,<br /><br />Daniel :)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5680915975340403752-8206183582825926668?l=futureleadersforpeace.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02004265567139782306noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5680915975340403752.post-19198351655841609742008-04-09T13:08:00.000-07:002008-04-09T13:17:42.810-07:00Hello all!<br /><br />This is Daniel, and I just want to give everyone a little of my experience of the Willard School Workshop yesterday.<br /><br />Jonathan's presentation was awesome as always, and it was a great experience! We had a few challenges in making the small group function effectively. First, there were many interruptions throughout the day (many students came in and out of the Workshop going to different activities, etc.). Second, it was an after school program and so the kids had already been in school all day- and the presentation/workshop was a total of an hour and a half long- so needless to say, they were ANTSY!!! There was definitely some good sharing that happened though, and I think we have a number of kids who will be very positive leaders in the club that will start next week!!! Also, we are thinking about a way of allowing the kids to get some excersise in between presentation and workshop so they are a little more settled and focused (just for the first day- it won't be necessary for the clubs), so any ideas are welcome!<br /><br />Overall, a wonderful experience, and it will surely only get even better from here!!!<br /><br />Thank you all for your involvement! Especially Emily and Hillary for your volunteering yesterday! And thank you Jourdan for coming by!<br /><br /><br />Smiles,<br /><br />Daniel :)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5680915975340403752-1919835165584160974?l=futureleadersforpeace.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02004265567139782306noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5680915975340403752.post-53787984254341874872008-03-28T15:11:00.000-07:002008-03-28T15:12:52.437-07:00Hey everyone! If you're ever confused about when/where we're meeting, just refer to our new fantastic calendar! It will always be on the top of the blog now, with the most up to date information<br /><br />You're always (of course) welcome to call any of us as well!<br /><br />Can't wait to see you all next week... enjoy Spring Break!<br /><br />Erin<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5680915975340403752-5378798425434187487?l=futureleadersforpeace.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09275911021415301565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5680915975340403752.post-28705358107974981662008-03-02T21:40:00.000-08:002008-03-02T21:41:07.720-08:00<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5680915975340403752-2870535810797498166?l=futureleadersforpeace.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09275911021415301565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5680915975340403752.post-65424122378601404392008-02-20T23:03:00.000-08:002008-02-20T23:04:35.519-08:00Thanks to everyone for coming today! Our team is really looking forward to hearing your input! Keep a look out for an email in the future with an action and our next meeting location...<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5680915975340403752-6542412237860140439?l=futureleadersforpeace.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09275911021415301565noreply@blogger.com0