Reducing High-Risk Behaviors in Girls

Abstinence Education Council
Funding for: What is Beauty? Workshops

about my venture

WE NEED YOUR HELP! The Abstinence Education Council operating under the trade name AEC-I Decide http://www.aec-idecide.org/ works with young people in rural central NY to help them to make good choices for a happy healthy future. Our young people today face challenges that we could never have imagined. Instead of getting good role models, they are bombarded from all sides with messages that are confusing, unhealthy, counter-productive, and too often inappropriate. This often has the effect of encouraging high-risk behaviors.

OUR PROGRAM  All high-risk behaviors essentially come out of the same basic problems. Starting with a lack of self-esteem (self-respect), and encompassing other issues from poor role models to problems with ADD/ADHD, studies like those from State University New York Cortland's Center for the 4th and 5th Rs  http://cortland.edu/character/aboutus.html have found that character education reduces the likelihood of children getting into high risk behaviors and increases the likelihood of success in life. Since the late 1990's abstinence programs have started focusing on addressing the reasons for all high risk behaviors, and developing character, as well as promoting developmental assets http://search-institute.org/content/what-are-developmental-assets, and protective factors. This has influenced our decision to expand the focus of our programs to address the root causes of deadly behaviors.

OUR NEEDS The problem we have been having with our programs is that we have had to tailor them to the specific needs of the organization which is making a request, which means pretty much developing something new for each group. We need to be more proactive, so instead of waiting for people to call us and have them tell us what they want us to do, we plan on booking the local libraries (which are free or very cheap) and just offering this program ourselves. It will be for girls only, ages 8 to 12 and 13 to 17. What we are doing now is putting together an 8 to 10 week program which we are calling "What is Beauty". It will start with Dove's Self Esteem program which you can review at http://www.dove.us/?dl=/CFRB/arti_CFRB.aspx|cp-documentid=7049727#/cfrb/articlesvideos/. The rest of the program will cover physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual beauty with an emphasis on modesty, and self-control as well as real tips on healthy beauty (inside and out). The program will loosely follow Sean Covey's book "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens".

OUR PROBLEM There are so many kids that we would like to reach, but this is a ministry and we don't charge for our programs. We are funded by donations, which were down this last year. We have a very small staff and very limited funds.

OUR SOLUTION - WITH YOUR HELP! We are tapping into volunteers from Christianvolunteering.org and are looking forward to the boost we expect from their help. We are going to concentrate on girls, ages 8 to 18, to simplify things for us. And we are trying this innovative new way to raise funds and expand our base, raise our visibility, raise awareness of the problems our children face and offer helpful solutions. We can do it, with your help! Be our "Angel" and ask your friends to check us out at  http://peerbackers.com/projects/healthy-beauty-1846885442. Thank you!

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    $2,100.00

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  • elevator pitch

    Funds are needed to present extended Healthy Beauty workshops for girls in rural Central NY.

  • backer rewards

  • tax receipt and one

    We will give everyone who donates, a receipt for their tax deductible donation. For $5 up to the next level, we will send you one of our white "Purity Rocks!" pencils!

    0 backers

    $5.00+ pledge

  • Girls Self-esteem poster

    "I Do Me" poster Lack of self-esteem is a prime factor for girls who get into high-risk behaviors. This poster gives them a boost.

    1 backers

    $20.00+ pledge

  • Grasshopper Gift Card

    A $50 Grasshopper Gift Card for use towards Grasshopper's Virtual Phone Services for entrepreneurs - a phone service that helps small businesses sound big

    0 backers

    $25.00+ pledge

  • Navigating the Teen Years: A Parent's Handbook for Raising Healthy Teens

    Having teen problems? The teen years are often the most difficult for parents and their children. This handbook will help you through the process

    1 backers

    $50.00+ pledge

  • Super Business Bonus - value $441

    Scott Letourneau, CEO of Nevada Corporate Planners wants to get as many people as possible to support Moms In Business Grant projects, just like he is doing, and he's willing to give away $441 to do it. Included in this great audio/report program: Breaking the Pattern of Overwhelm and Confusion!, Strategies to Incorporate Your Business, Build Business Credit and Keep the IRS off Your Back!, Insider Secrets to Securing Vendor and Cash Lines of Credit!, and Joint Venture Strategies to Explode Your Business!

    0 backers

    $50.00+ pledge

  • Try our truly delicious raw honey

    One of our supporters gives us access to local raw honey (please do not give to children under one or to someone who is allergic to bees!) which we have re-packaged. Unlike regular pasteurized honey, it is rich, flavorful and full of healthy vitamins and enzymes. This is really a treat, great for colds. 2 pound jar. We will include some tips for how to use honey for health and beauty.

    0 backers

    $100.00+ pledge

  • "If I can build a free website, anybody can" tip sheet

    Tip sheet on how to build a free website (you do have to purchase a domain), plus one hour of e-mail or phone coaching. There are plenty of places out there offering free websites, but putting it together takes a lot of research, or some skills. Here's some help for someone who just wants something basic.

    0 backers

    $200.00+ pledge
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about entrepreneur

Arline Saiki

Director / Abstinence Education Council

It is my personal conviction that everyone can and should have a chance at success in life. My own children have been my greatest joy and they are responsible, trustworthy, hard-working, giving, happy and successful young adults of faith. 6 years ago, when the position of Director of the Abstinence Education Council in central NY was being advertised at my church, I pondered applying for it for several weeks before I decided to try for it. Although I have worked with kids for years in youth groups and music ministry, this was a very different direction for me. However, this job has been one of the most amazing and rewarding of any in my life. It has required a ton of research, and many online and in-person classes in abstinence, behavioral science, character education and mental health. The result of my research and courses has been the slow turning of the focus of our programs from "scare" tactics to giving young people the skills and tools they need to fight our deteriorating culture. Teaching kids that they cannot have self-control is counterproductive to raising mature, responsible adults. Unfortunately, this is exactly what the kids are being taught and modeled today. I firmly believe that all of us can turn things around if we start where we are and do whatever we can. I am very excited about the opportunity that Moms In Business and Peerbackers is giving us to expand our program and to inform people as to the what and why of what we do.