There are four components or program areas of Learning for Life:

Elementary - Seekers, Discoverers and Challenger Programs

• Kindergarten through 6th grade
• Twelve, thirty minute weekly lessons presented in the classroom by a paid Learning for Life Instructor.
• Themes reinforce social, academic and ethical decision-making critical thinking, conflict resolution, practical living
• skills, self-esteem and citizenship.
• Classroom recognition provided with individual sticker charts and stickers.
• Lesson themes are selected based on the needs of the individual school and students.
• At Promise Youth Program

Special Needs - Champions Program

• Students with disabilities (various ages and abilities)
• Focuses on teaching life skills for self sufficiency
• Major themes include self-concept, personal and social skills and life skills
• Curriculum often is supplemented with other Learning for Life program areas
• Curriculum can be tailored to the student's individual education plan
  

Junior or Middle School - Builders Program

• 7th and 8th grades
• Classroom workshops taught by classroom teachers
• Lessons focus on decision making, conflict resolution, listening skills, academics and setting goals
• Mentor / Speaker program introduces real and reachable business leaders
• At Promise Youth Program
  

High School - Navigators Program

• 9th through 12th grade
• Classroom lessons taught by teacher
• Lessons emphasize self-esteem, values, academics to reach a goal, and choosing a career that fits one’s individual aptitude.
• Career Survey to determine areas of student interest to personalize school programs
• Students explore possible careers, set personal objectives and interact with role models
• Speakers Seminars address career specifics including entry-level requirements, training needed, academic disciplines, promotion opportunities and typical working conditions.

At-Promise Youth Program

The Learning for Life At-Promise Youth Program is designed to serve as a prevention and intervention tool. It supports schools and other youth-serving organizations in their efforts to help address the needs of at-risk youth.

The Learning for Life At-Promise Youth Program targets the underserved and underprivileged at-risk youth population in grade levels 4th -12th as well as adjudicated youth in junior highs and high schools throughout Orange County.
The program curriculum educates the participating youth, in part, on the adverse consequences of destructive, harmful behaviors like violence, gangs, drugs and other similar behaviors. The program aims to enhance the participant’s self-confidence, and self-worth through interactive, challenging lessons on self-awareness, and career development. Students discover the connection between decisions, habits, character formation and the real world. Students will understand the need to make positive decisions and assume responsibility for the consequences of their current decisions. Students will attain the comprehensive knowledge that they can in fact learn from their mistakes and overcome their poor decisions.

The At-Promise Youth Program has an 11 lesson parent program that is an integral component of the program. This program must be in place in order to insure a greater ratio of success.

The program's curriculum meets the criteria of the California Content Standard Alignment. The At-Promise Youth Program uses Learning for Life curriculum. An “Assessment of findings” of the Learning for Life curriculum was conducted by Dr. Doug Grove of C.I. and Associates.

(A copy of said findings is filed at the local offices of Learning for Life).

The At-Promise Youth Program collaborates with other non-profit organizations. These organizations contribute with programming, manpower, activities, curriculum and assistance of other kinds.

WE HAVE CAREER SPEAKERS!

We have over 50 career speakers in various career fields and topic areas!

One facet of the Learning for Life program is our Speaker’s Program. We determine the student’s career interests by having teachers fill out the Topic Request form.

We then arrange for guest speakers to go to the school and give a seminar on his/her field. They discuss education, experience and job related issues. These role models are treated as honored guests at the school because they donate their time to go out and encourage students to stay in school and succeed in life. This program is designed for all intermediate and high schools age students. It fits well with Career Orientation, R.O.P. and AVID Classes.

If this visit is well received and everyone concerned is ready for the next step, the speaker or business owner can decide to have a Character Education/Career Orientation curriculum known as an Exploring Post at his/her work site or place of business.

Through the Exploring Post, and its character/career curriculum, students learn the stages of career development and learn about the importance of developing certain character traits.

Once a Post is established the business owner can elect to have students visit on a regular basis to gain hands-on experience and first-hand knowledge about their chosen career field.

If you would like a career speaker for your students, classroom or career fair, please e-mail Marla McGee marlag@oclfl.org or call her at (714) 546-4990 ext. 183