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.

Project Give’s Javier Rodriguez was at St. John the Evangelist Middle school today to kick of Project Give today. The program there will be held during school hours and on Saturdays will be open to the middle school aged youth who attend the local parish. During the presentation many of them presented unique ideas that they had to make their community a better place. Despite their age they have big dreams for the success they can achieve. Their enthusiasm to get started was incredible and we can’t wait to see what these future leaders come up with to make their community and the world a better place!!! 

We first had to get all the students out of there shells – it was easy when we started these 5 rules….

1) Make eye contact with everyone they meet

2) Smile

3) Shake hands

4) Introduce yourself first and last name clearly.

5) Tell everyone you meet about our project and its goals

They made their own theme: NOT REQUIRED.

We include those things you do that extend beyond your own home and classroom into the real world. They are not required, you don’t have to do them. You do them selflessly, to improve the quality of life around you.  The world is chock-full of real problems to solve – things that need attention isn’t it exciting for you that all these problems haven’t already been solved?

It is exciting that you’ll create your own history with the actions you take.  As you reach out to solve problem’s in your community, you’ll be helping to design a better future.  You’ll also be learning to take charge of your personal life.

We have a list of civic leaders and business leaders in our community that we felt could help us in our projects. We have a thank you letter drafted by the kids to be sent after anyone helps us right after a project letting them know what’s next.

The challenge is to teach them how to give back to their community and lead by example so others will want to be a part of this movement.

By creating a mission statement everyone knows who we are what we are doing and what our goals are which will then spill over into these future community volunteers lives now.  This in turn will get them to write their own mission statements and goals that will include giving back and at that point the circle will be complete… and without even knowing it at first their lives have taken on a new meaning.

It is awesome to watch…