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At Risk Youth
Empowering Young Minds, Shaping A Brighter Future
One of the most important ways in reducing the rate of recidivism is to save our nation’s youth. We are often asked, “What population of our youth are most at risk?” The answer is, the entire population of today’s youth are at risk of falling in with the wrong crowd, and becoming addicted to drugs and/or alcohol. In today’s society the vast majority of households have both parents working to pay the bills. It’s unavoidable in an economy that we have today. Unfortunately it leaves our youth unattended, lacking direction and supervision in both single parent and both parent households. Parenting can be challenging when work is demanding most of the time in a day. Our founder, author and director of the “At Risk Youth Program” Christopher Curtis, recognizes and understands this challenge. Chris spends his every free moment engaging with the youth in his area. He speaks at schools in Orange County California.
There are a lot of youth programs out there but what Mr. Curtis has discovered is that most have specific targeted youth and narrow demographics of service. Our goal is to fund programs that are available to all youth that come through our doors despite demographics or economic status. Our goal is to branch out to every neighborhood with a youth center to provide sport equipment and mentorship.
In our horizon we see safe housing and the implementation of trade schools provided by our volunteers. Currently, we have electricians and other trades men and women willing to offer training and mentorship to the youth that have decided that trade school is their chosen direction. We hope to afford all youth the opportunity to participate at no charge to them or their families. Brighter future’s happen with the help of the generosity needed to supply the necessary equipment to make it all happen. Chris Curtis himself knows the importance of this project and is passionately involved as he himself was once one of those at risk youth that fell, served 20 years and climbed his way up and out. He has written about his experience in his published book titled: Orange County The Dark Side.
Christopher Curtis is a prime example, that nobody is too far gone to find their way back but also an example of the importance of intervention, mentorship and programs before it happens. Orange County The Dark Side is a great read for anyone. Education is powerful and learning about the segment of our society that are falling through the cracks brings a greater understanding for the need of these programs that we offer. Falling through the cracks generally means ending up or back in prison. Orange County The Dark Side is available through Amazon and is part of STAR= Speaking Truth About Recidivism distribution program.
Christopher Curtis has a background that gives him the knowledge of what is needed the most for today’s youth and what works. His program is different from others as it offers a safe haven, mentorship as well as educational opportunities. Chris understands the struggle of falling, trying to find your way back and has dedicated himself to helping our youth find their way too. Our youth need your generosity. Please help Chris and his team reach more vulnerable youth by clicking the donate button. Every contribution regardless of size goes towards a brighter future for our youth and reducing recidivism. We thank you for your consideration.
Top Dog Pets For Vets
Top Dog is a program that is a win for everyone involved. To start, we rescue our Top Dogs from shelters, and it is a win for every dog we can save from an awful fate. Once we pull the dogs, they are delivered to the prison Top Dog training program. The training program is run by the prisoners in the Universal Life Skills Program. Every dog is trained initially to pass the K9 good citizen test. Some will become companion dogs for those who adopt them while the ones that demonstrate an ability to become a specialized service dog are kept on at the prison and receive advanced training where they become Top Dogs and are adopted out to disabled Veterans, First responders, and then the general public. The incarcerated men and women involved in the Top Dog program learn a deep sense of empathy and altruism. These dogs change these incarcerated men and women in too many positive ways to even list, and few ever return to prison once released. The Top Dog Pets For Vets program is the truest definition of everybody wins.
Encyclopedia of Self Help Book
The goal of the book distribution program is to get the Encyclopedia of Self Help workbook into the hands of every incarcerated individual in the nation no matter their type of confinement or financial status. The opportunity for change while incarcerated should not be based on whether or not someone can afford to do so. For the sake of their future and that of society, they can hardly afford not to, and we can hardly afford not to support their genuine efforts. With your support and any size donation, we can provide this opportunity to them. To make every donation travel further, the author of the Encyclopedia of Self Help has pledged 50% of the AGI generated from the sale of the book will be donated to non-profits such as programs that aid the victims of violent crime, sex crimes, and domestic abuse victims.
Transitional Housing Program
Transitional housing program is put in place to make sure everyone who completes one of our programs has a place to go to upon release from prison. It does no good to be dumping these could be successful men and women into homeless shelters and eventually into a tent on some sidewalk in some city somewhere waiting to return to prison. Ours is a program designed to follow up and follow through with helping our graduates maintain their story of success. We at STAR recognize that rehabilitation, positive change and a release from prison is only half the battle and it is part of our mission to see it through for as long as it takes.
Universal Life Skills Program
The Universal Life Skills Program is a residential program where the curriculum is by design extensive, driven, and intense. It is our goal to facilitate and guide participants through a journey of self help, wellness, and recovery. The ULSP is an 18 to 24 month in depth program that incorporates small group cohorts of no more than 5 to 10 individuals, who are derived from a larger group of 25 members who are a part of 3 levels that encompasses a total of 75 participating residents plus on site facilitators. All are working through and helping others work through issues such as journaling, Denial Management, Addition Recovery and Management, Domestic Violence, Criminal Impact on Victims and Perpetrators, Public Speaking, Psychodrama, Personal insight and Understanding, The ULSP includes an in depth course on one of the Nations only Gun Addiction recovery programs.
College Courses on Drugs and Alcohol counseling certification. AA and NA meetings weekly, Yoga Wellness Meditation, and Tai-Chi. Community Service through various activities, including but not limited to Crocheting, a program called hooks and needles, stars and stripes. Hooks and needles is a part of a required community service program where ULSP participants crocket various items for donations to community based nonprofit organizations. Items consisting of beanies, scarves and gloves for the homeless, blankets for patients, beanies and blankets for maternity wards in local pediatric hospitals. Members are expected to contribute community service around the facility. This ranges from cleaning up in their unit to helping fellow inmates with challenging deeds. Tutoring other residents with their recommended college course. Community service is required to foster and reestablish the residents sense of altruism. STAR intends to get the ULSP into numerous facilities around the Nation. Through the ULSP provide opportunities for the development and maturation of the participants commitment to normative values and responsibilities. This will result in overall changed behavior, better institutional adjustment, and reduced recidivism amongst residents. The objective of the ULSP is to foster personal growth and responsibility, to right the relationships among victims, the community and program participants while utilizing secular outcome based objectives. The ULSP uses the residents personal belief system, whether secular or religious, to bring reconciliation and restoration of a positive core belief system. Participants are required to and aided in taking responsibility for their past criminal behaviors and mindset. Groups in the local communities are asked to volunteer a support for participants upon release. The effect is a better member of society and a reduction in recidivism.
FROM THE INSIDE OUT
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Buckle up for a podcast that takes conversations to the streets—literally. With a mobile studio and an unfiltered approach, Ronnie on the Spot, Chris Curtis, and the Sandman bring you raw, real, and riveting discussions on the toughest topics shaping lives today. From the struggles of homeless veterans and at-risk youth to the realities of recidivism, no subject is off-limits. With powerful in-the-field interviews and perspectives you won’t hear anywhere else, this podcast isn’t just talk—it’s truth, delivered straight from the source. Get ready to listen, learn, and rethink everything you thought you knew.
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