Planting For The Future

Planting For The Future The Human Connection United We Stand

June 2012

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Vision ~ Objectives

Support the underserved and/or at risk Community by: Breaking Negative Cycles that prevent individuals from achieving their full potential

Build Positive Cycles that promote individuals to achieve their full potential

Provide Hope and a sense of purpose

“If I am not for myself, then who will be for me? And if I am only for myself, then

what am I? And if not now, when?” Hillel The Elder

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The Tree of Life & Cycle

Earth/Soil/Nutrients (grounding) – Self Love/Self Worth/Highest Good of Individual/Trusting Relationships/Sense of Community

The Tree – The Soul/The Heart Water – Education/Lessons Learned Fertilizer – Mentors via Teachers, Coaches, Business,

Professional & Community Leaders Sun – Father Roles Moon – Mother Roles

The Seed > The Roots > The Plant > The Fruit The Infant > The Child> The Adult > The Elder

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How Vision Is Supported

Build model (which can be expanded to other locations) in the Alameda/Contra Costa County Community Children

– Reinforce education through frequency of After-School Programs held– Keep children active in positive programs versus being “idle”– Obtain parental approval and buy-in– Provide transportation to ensure attendance– Provide snacks and other key meals as necessary– Develop program which reinforces positive behavior for both boys and girls – Arrange educational field trips including Camping trips (via Bay Area Wilderness Training, etc.) in order to

connect to nature (especially for Urban children who have never had that opportunity before)– Utilize phased approach to ensure continue growth of program and lessons learned based on participant

feedbackParents– Programs to promote higher education, financial literacy, budgeting, Small Business Entrepreneurship, parenting,

supporting “day to day” living needs, etc. It Takes A Village through Community Support

– In the absence of key role models/information, provide access to Mentors. Utilize Non-Profit sector to provide therapeutic based services in the Community No income limitations or exclusions Early intervention program in order to break negative cycles and build positive cycles Increase advocacy and participate in Public policy Use evidence based practices and established best practices Develop diversified funding streams through Musical Concerts, After School Program Grants, Clubs,’ etc.

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Father/Mother Studies

Father Roles According to 2009 U.S. Census Bureau data, over 24 million children live apart

from their biological fathers. That is 1 out of every 3 (33%) children in America. Nearly 2 in 3 (64%) African American children live in father-absent homes. One in three (34%) Hispanic children, and 1 in 4 (25%) white children live in father-absent homes. In 1960, only 11% of children lived in father-absent homes.

Children who live absent their biological fathers are, on average, at least two to three times more likely to be poor, to use drugs, to experience educational, health, emotional and behavioral problems, to be victims of child abuse, and to engage in criminal behavior than their peers who live with their married, biological (or adoptive) parents.

Mother Roles – per Unicef.com Healthy, educated and empowered women have healthy, educated

and confident daughters and sons. The amount of influence women have over the decisions in the household has

been shown to positively impact the nutrition, health care and education of their children.

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Program Details as described by Joe Bohannon

Grade Level – 7th Grade When Joe was in the 7th grade, his mother and 2 guidance counselors set up a program

where every other week during the school year, they would meet to discuss how to prepare themselves for the “real world.” The premise was simple; give kids a head start.

Community/Parent Participation – After-School Program, once every other week for 2 hours They brought in professionals that they knew as children that had grown up to become

Lawyers, Doctors, Managers, HR people, Business Owners, Investors, Professors, etc. of all ethnic backgrounds to tell their story and provide tips on surviving Corporate America and/or business ownership.

Most of these professionals easily gave an hour of their time to speak to children and talk “off the record.” Some of the kids went to work for these professionals as they turned into adults. Some gave scholarships/internships/etc. to the children they stayed in touch with over the years.

At least one parent had to stay the entire time so the program had commitment written all over it for a better tomorrow.

Most parents brought snacks, food, etc. to eat during the event. Some parents networked with these professionals and were able to gain jobs or better jobs.

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Example Support Categories

Education – Filling out college entrance applications, college entrance exams tips, letter writing for scholarships and grants from government and corporate entities

Budgeting – How to complete a budget, etc. Organization – How to organize time, manage tasks, etc. Career – Interviewing tips including ways to dress, sit and demeanor, resume completion tips, employee

etiquette, commitment, business owner ideas, mock interviews and role playing Mental Preparation – Test taking techniques, relaxation techniques, focus exercises Success stories – Bring in tests, homework, term papers, etc. to be discussed in open forum for group

understanding and idea gathering Cultural – Obtain a book from the library and write a paper on a foreign country and its history, language,

economics, etc. Learn the basic expressions in the native tongue of that country “Hello, how are you?, etc. Help/learn to break down barriers.

Health/Exercise – Importance of healthy eating and exercising Arts – Through music, art, theatre, poetry, learn positive methods of expression and increase mental

aptitude (utilizing different parts of the brain) Communication – Learn effective communication skills (understand personality types, different learning

methods, generation differences (Baby Boomers, Gen X, Y & Millenials) Sciences – Basic technology skills if not currently available Environmental – Through field trips (camping, etc.), develop a connection to nature and the importance

of Going Green initiatives. Spiritual – Provide hope based on testimonials of actual success stories from individuals that you can

connect with on a human level – no ego, sincere, promote a sense of Community, connect with Nature as a healing tool, develop positive relationships

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Success Story – Joe Bohannon

The Program ran for 4 years. It worked. Every child (100%) in the Program graduated from a 4 year college.

Not one teen pregnancy occurred in the group. When Joe was a teenager, Milwaukee had one of the highest teen pregnancy rates per capita in the Country.

One parent was motivated to go back and complete her 4 year degree.

Planting For The Future Hierarchy

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Planting For The Future

Visions of Success

We Care Services for

Children

Other Non-Profits/

Support Groups

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Structure Based on Needs

Categories The Infant The Child Adult Elder

Education        

College Prep        

Communication Skills (personality types, different learning methods, generation differences)        

Cultural        

Environmental - recycling, nature, etc.        

Field Trips, i.e., Camping, Beach, etc.        

Financial Literacy, i.e., budgeting        

Mental Relaxation Techniques        

Mentoring        

Organization        

Parenting        

Recycling        

Resume and Interviewing        

Sciences - basic technology skills if not currently available        

Small Business Entrepreneurship        

Success Stories        

04/20/2311

Structure Based on Needs (Continued)

Categories The Infant The Child Adult Elder

Health        

Healthy Eating        

Sports/Exercise        

Spiritual        

Self        

Arts (Music, Theatre, Poetry, Pottery, Writing, Dance, Theatre, etc.)        

Relaxation Techniques        

Community        

Community Service        

Developing Positive Relationships        

Success Stories        

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Support by Group/Age

Group 1 = The Seed/The Infant Age Categories = less than 2 years old

Group 2, 3, 4 and 5 = The Roots/The Child = Group 2 = 2 to age 5 (prior to Kindergarten)

= Group 3 = 5 to age 10 (Kindergarten to 5th grade)

= Group 4 = 10 to age 13 (6th through 8th grade)

= Group 5 = 14 to age17 (High School)

Group 6 = The Plant/The Adult = 18 and above

Group 7 = The Fruit/The Elder = Retired and/or additional support needs required

Special Needs to be considered for all groups, i.e., handicapped, etc.

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Examples of Non-Profit/Support Groups

Visions of Success – Mentoring for young males

First Time Homeowners Flight Time Ballers Small Business Entrepreneurship/Green Life Green LEEF Wellness City Challenge – Change the Food, Change the Future

– Nutrition and Health– Food Preparation– Food Budget

EPIC (Engaging Parents, Involving Community, Empowering Youth) We Care Services For Children – Serving children with autism and other special needs

– We Chat – ages 2 to 5– Wrap Around Program – ages 2 to 5

Shelter, Inc. – Homeless, etc. Hospice of East Bay/Bruns House – Elderly Care, etc. VESTIA – Wardrobe For Success, Elderly Care, etc. Canine Companions For Independence Tumber Farms – Farm2Table Camp

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Non-Profit/Support Groups (Continued)

Chicana/Latina Foundation – Empowering Chicanas/Latinas through Personal, Educational and Professional Advancement

Intertribal Friendship House– Serving the needs of the American Indian Community

Saint Vincent dePaul – Mentoring for Adults supported by Local Clubs

SparkPoint East Contra Costa – Bay Point, AMBROSE COMMUNITY CENTER– Pay Your Bills and Manage Your Credit – including

getting out of debt, understanding your credit, creating a household budget, and avoiding foreclosure.

– Increase Your Income – from accessing public benefits and getting free tax preparation, to finding a good job, starting a business, or going back to school.

– Build Your Savings and Assets - including access to free- and low-cost banking services, match-savings accounts and first-time home buyer programs

Proud Fathers Program via STAND! For Families Free of ViolenceThe Proud Fathers Program is a service provided primarily to young parents or parents to be who are 25 years old or younger and live in Contra Costa County. We also serve fathers of all ages who reside in Central Contra Costa. The program helps parents gain skills and confidence to be successful and responsible parents and providers. Each session runs for 2 hours each week for 10 weeks and participants enjoy the support of each other and share a dinner together. At the completion of 10 weeks, participants receive a certificate of attendance (approved by the court) and a gift certificate. Workshops are offered both in English and Spanish and attached are both brochures.

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Proposed Proof of Concept Locations

Phase 1:

Program Name: Change Your Food, Change Everything via Wellness City Challenge

Lead: Cindy Gershen

Location: Mount Diablo District

Mount Diablo High School Feeders:

Middle Schools: El Dorado and Riverview

Elementary Schools: Bel Air, Delta View,

El Monte, Meadow Homes, Rio Vista, Shore

Acres, Sun Terrace and Wren Avenue

Additional Feeders:

Youth Homes Foster Care, Intertribal Friendship House

Phase 2:

Program Name: EPIC (Engaging Parents, Involving Community, Empowering Youth)

Lead: Joe Ianora, Robin Kelley

Location: Del Amigo Continuation High School

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Facility Types To Conduct Program

Community Centers

Classrooms

School Auditoriums

Churches, etc.

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Branding Needs ~ The Human Connection

Branding Desires – Emphasis on the human connection, The Tree of Life

Objectives – Provide the Community tools for day to day living supported by the Non-Profit Sector

Goal – Non-Profits remain autonomous as it relates to day to day operations; however, synergy is created in how support is provided to the Community and financial support is generated; Ability to expand to different Communities throughout the World based on Non-Profit support available; Ability to inquire about existing Non-Profits willing to expand to other Communities where specific need is currently unavailable

Structure Format – Parent – Planting for the Future, Child – Various Non-Profits

Catch Phrases – There are no limitations, achieve the unachievable

Testimonials – Success stories

Customer Base – Needs based on support requirements by an individual (infant, child, adult, elder)

Funding – Ability to donate at the Parent Level (Planting For The Future) or at the Child Level(Specific Non-Profit)

Functionality – Links to specific Non-Profits and/or a page outlining description of Non-Profit

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Next Steps – 30 days

Form Executive Advisory Council Committee – Members to have a diverse background of knowledge – In process– Team review of needs and optimal solutions (review existing programs in

Community)– Determine Best Practices

Ensure success by modifying with changing environment, lessons learned, research and building a Network of key consultants/resources

– Initial Interview of resources (Volunteers, etc.) – In process– Determine youth feeder process from existing After-School Programs along with

feeding into Visions of Success Program – In process– After School Programs Grant Research – In process

Project Administration – In process – Based on Needs Assessment, develop short term and long term plan supported by a:

Project Plan/Timeline Cost Analysis Curriculum SalesForce – Tracking of Mentors, Sponsors, etc. Google Docs – Documentation Management Website

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Planting For The Future ~ Executive Advisory Council Committee & Consultant

Advisory Committee Members

Joe Bohannon – Bank of Commerce Mortgage Loan Officer – Primary Responsibility – Define Program Requirements (based on personal experience)/Mentor

Sonja Brooks – Operation Hope Business Program Manager, Strategic Development Consulting at Green Life Green LEEF – Primary Responsibility – Small Business Entrepreneurship Advisor

Glen Colbert – Former Sheriff for Alameda County – Primary Responsibility – Law Enforcement Advisor

Joni Colbert – Bank of the West – Project Manager, Consumer Lending Trainer (former Underwriter), granddaughter of William Byron Rumford (first African-American elected to Public Office in California, assisted in introducing the Fair Housing Bill and other legislation) – Primary Responsibility – Elderly Care Support Needs

Coach Edwards – Non-Profit Business Owner/Coach – Primary Responsibility – Youth Recruitment/Mentor

Tracy Porter – Epsilon Beta Boule – Visions of Success, President and CEO, Premiere Solutions, CEO – Primary Responsibility – Advisor

Lori Rivers – Bank of the West – Senior Vice President of Group Operations – Primary Responsibility -- Organizational Structure Expert

Pamela Singh – Director of Mom’s House, Inc. Non-Profit, 25 year Banking Veteran – Primary Responsibility – Project Coordination

Carol Wahpepah – Director of Intertribal Friendship House – Primary Responsibility – Identify needs of American Indian Community

Olga Talamante – Executive Director of Chicana/Latina Foundation – Primary Responsibility – Identify needs of Chicana/Latina Community

Consultant

Charan Tumber – 24+ year Teacher, 6 years teaching Special Education, currently 4th Grade Teacher

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The Flames (Light) of Knowledge

"You must be the change you want to see in the world." Mahatma Gandhi

"If you lose hope, somehow you lose the vitality that keeps life moving, you lose that courage to be, that quality that helps you to go on in spite of all. And so today I still have a dream."Martin Luther King

"The power of the world always works in circles, and everything is round like a ball, and so are all the stars. The wind in its greatest power whirls. Birds make their nests in circles, for theirs is the same religion as ours...Even the seasons form a great circle in their changing, and always come back again to where they were. The life of a man is a circle from childhood to childhood, and so it is in everything where power moves."Black Elk

"Ora na azu nwa" (It takes the community/village to raise a child.) Nigerian proverb

"Individual commitment to a group effort - that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work."Vince Lombardi

"Men anpil, chay pa lou" (Many hands lighten the load.) Haitian proverb