Here are some pictures From the Project Give students at ICEF Vista Middle Academy. The students have found the materials very helpful in researching different ideas and helping them narrow down the projects that they will do in their teams. Each student in Project Give is given a folder with all the material they need to develop their projects.

Today the students worked on their mission statements. It was a unique experience to see them define their mission statements to help them the their dreams one step closer to becoming reality. A lot of brainstorming and collaboration was needed to come up with statements that would unite the team members in one common cause.

Today students and teachers from Markham and Gage Middle Schools were interviewed by Family Circle on an upcoming article about Project Give. The students shared their unique experiences with the magazine’s editor. When the teachers were interviewed they both commented how other teachers had complemented the rise in confidence of the students involved in Project Give. It was interesting to note that also ESL (English Second Language) students, who find it difficult to communicate in English, also saw a tremendous rise in their confidence as they had to participate in giving announcements and presentations concerning their projects to other classes. All of the students who were interviewed accredited their new found excitement and courage to the trust that the program gives them by empowering them to realize their own ideas to bring about positive change.

Check back for updates on when the article is published in the Family Circle magazine!!

The students at Jack H. Skirball Middle school had already made preparations for other projects in their community; but in light the recent tragedy in Haiti, they changed their plans and have reorganized their projects to focus on providing aid to Haiti. One of the unique things going on in this school is that they a group that is focused on preparing the marketing materials that the other groups will use in their project. They have researched several printing places and are designing stickers to give to all that donate or participate in their programs.

Regardless of the limit in funds, the Project Give kids in Markham Middle School brought hope and joy to a shelter in their community. They researched different places to help and found one that helped many families in need. Budgeting was key as the students shopped for enough gifts for everyone. A ceremony was held were the students sang Christmas carols and presented the gifts to the recipients. The experienced of bringing hope to those facing trials will forever shape the values and characters of the PG student in this project.