ARISE Curriculum and Program Testimonials
Read testimonials from teachers, volunteers, clergy, congressional supporters, and more about the effectiveness of the ARISE Life Skills program in their communities, schools, and facilities. See how ARISE Life Skills Training and Curricula can enhance your program!
- “As active participants with the ARISE program, we have found it to be rewarding and challenging. It makes us feel good about ourselves that we are helping to make a difference in some youngster's life.
As we mentor the elementary students we like the way:
- The students look up to us as friends.
- The trust they have for us.
- The activities we teach them and the way they respond.
- The way they look forward to seeing us each time we come.
- The way we take the time and share lunch and a lot of conversation.
As we continue to participate in the ARISE program, sometimes there are things we come across that are not so nice. But we deal with it. Some of our dislikes are:
- Not having enough time.
- Disobedient students.
After our discussion on our likes and dislikes, we came up with a few ideas that may be implemented if at all possible.
- Field trips with students outside the school.
- Visit them twice a month.
- Give certificates for good behavior.
- Visit their classroom/teachers with them.
- Give treats.
- Give them cards for special occasions (birthdays, valentines, Christmas, etc.).”by Tammy Fishburne - “During the past several weeks I have had the opportunity to participate in the ARISE Foundation's community service activity. I have been very pleased by the materials that were provided for our use in the classroom. The text was of high interest and of low enough cognitive demand that even lower level readers were able to have success. Students were able to make connections to prior knowledge and previous life experiences. Use of pictures, short passages and up-to-date subject matter has made these text very effective. I feel this curriculum could be effectively implemented in just about any setting.
Another component of the activity was the time spent in the elementary school. I feel this had the biggest impact on the students. Students were given an opportunity to become teachers and mentors. This may have been the first time these students were given such responsibility and I feel it will be an experience that they will take with them well into the future. Those who participated in this activity were more accustomed to playing the role of student. After this activity the students had gained a new perspective, that of being a teacher. I think this will allow them to be more empathetic to the feelings of teachers who they work with during the rest of their academic carrier. In the future I would suggest an increase in the amount of time that the students spend teaching in the elementary school setting. I feel this was the most influential of all the activities and by increasing this interaction both elementary and middle school students would benefit greatly.
I feel the ARISE Foundation curriculum is both highly effective and easy to implement in a variety of settings. The combination of high interest reading material and the opportunity for students to act as teachers provides the most meaningful learning experience possible.”by Mr. Adam Tavss, 500 Role Model Academy - “On Monday, December 15, 2003 during seventh period ARISE class, the students were asked to make suggestions regarding the class. They were asked to comment on what is good about the program and what improvements they might recommend.
All of the students agreed that they like the group discussions and that they are encouraged to contribute to said discussions. They also are enjoying the field trips and said that they feel the field trips have been beneficial to them as well as their young charges. Many commented that the experience has provided the with a different perspective and a new appreciation for teaching and learning.
Regarding things they would change, they said they would like to have more of such field trips and to different grade levels so as to broaden their experience.”by R. S. Boundy - “Dear Mrs. Benson & Ms. Abrams:
The ARISE Program at Miami Douglas MacArthur North Senior High has been a positive curriculum for our students. It has reinforced the importance of community service. Student's participation in lessons, field trips and ARISE activities gave them a greater sense of how wonderful it is to give back to the community and helping others. Since the implementation of this program, positive comments have been received from teachers at the Holmes and MacArthur.
Principal Crawford informed me that some of the students thought that our last field trip was the end of the class. They shared with him how they "loved" the ARISE Program and requested that he not disband this program. He assured them that he wouldn't and he was proud of the good job being done by them.
We feel that the ARISE Program helps build their self-esteem. They are allowed to practice what they have been taught. Their commitment and consistency in the program will help them believe they can become successful. The support team from ARISE is a force to be reckoned with. It has been important to the success of our students. The guest speakers made a great impact on them. We are requesting more guest speakers next year.
This was a different experience for them and they couldn't visualize themselves sharing Life Management Skills with other children. We are pleased with their performance, and will continue to teach them how community service is a wonderful thing to share and be exposed to different experiences.”by Ms. Lydia Goodin, ARISE Program Teacher, Miami Douglas MacArthur North Senior High - “A few months back we received 5 new ARISE books for the officers to use while conducting their group sessions. The officers are very pleased with all of the activities the books provide and have taken advantage of role playing, job interviewing and other activities. The youth are engaged and look forward to the sessions. The topics help provide the youth with skills to help in their decision-making while in custody as well as when they re-enter the community.”by Lori Hardyman
- “We really appreciated the work of Diane Turner with the Sprouts Program. This parenting program for teenagers is truly needed...(excerpt from letter).
Download her full letter of endorsement for the ARISE Teen Parenting Series - Sprouts.”by Gloria Humes (Early Childhood Education Instructor) -Family and Consumer Sciences Department, American Senior High School - Hialeah, FL - “The new material is greatly needed for a lot of our Hispanic youth who are in the program and have difficulties understanding the English language”by Shirlon McCarty (Assistant Program Coordinator) -Juvenile Services Program, Inc. - Clearwater, FL
- “The Florida Poison Information Center/Miami, through our mutual efforts with ARISE Foundation, to date has provided more than 195,000 students in fourth, fifth, and sixth grades, with educational materials during National Poison Prevention Week...(excerpt from letter).
Download his full letter of endorsement for ARISE child safety curricula.”by Richard S. Weisman, Pharm.D., ABAT (Director) -Florida Poison Information Center/Miami, Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami - Miami, FL - “Miami-Dade Fire Rescue is proud to have partnered with ARISE Foundation during National Burn Awareness Week, February 7-13, 1999. Our mutual effort had a profound impact on our ability to reach children, using pertinent educational lessons designed to prevent unintentional burns...(excerpt from letter).
Download his full letter of endorsement for ARISE child safety curricula.”by R.D. Paulison (Fire Chief) -Metropolitan Dade County Fire Rescue Department - Miami, FL - “I wanted you to know that ARISE has contributed to the very low female population we are now experiencing. As a matter of fact, this facility is at a record low for girls! Our regulars are not re-offending! I feel this is because all our females get the ARISE program three to four times a week. There is no doubt this is contributing to the very low recidivism rate among this population. We mainly have new offenders coming in. I also want you to know that our girls love ARISE, and when something interrupts them from having a session, they are not happy.”by Morena Hyde-Lancaster (Lead Correctional Officer & Certified ARISE Life Skills Instructor) -Youth Rehabilitation Center - Washington, DC