Comments from Educators at Southwestern High School
“To underscore these management skills stressed by the teacher, it is important for students to see someone else besides a teacher, to tell them the importance of planning and preparation”

“I believe that the students enjoyed interacting and listening to each other’s thoughts as they were learning key factors in preparing them for the world.”
“Needs more time to be truly effective perhaps a course--- or as a staff development activity so that more teachers understand we need to teach the whole student and not just the material.”

School Officials
“The program helped the students grow and mature and take a positive interest in their community.”
Pam Berggren, Guidance Counselor, Francis Scott Key Middle School
“She (Miss Hosmer) devoted many years to this project and has used it successfully with a wide range of students. The program’s worthy goals and objectives relate to increased student achievement, reduction of disciplinary referrals and improved attendance.”
Mariale Hardiman, Principal, Roland Park Elementary/Middle School

Students in Summer Program at Southwestern High School, 2002
Comments on the overall effectiveness of Power/Excel
“It makes sense because I hear so many positive things about our future. It made you want to go out there and do your thing in a positive way.”
“Makes me think about what my future is going to be and how I am going to change what I do now.”
“It made me as a young single mother feel like their is a lot of hope. All you have to do is believe in yourself, set your goals and go for it.”
“A great program if you are committed to being successful in life.”
“Y’all doing a great job. You may change someone’s life some day.”

The Prison Project
“I learned a lot of positive things in this class such as dealing with anger and conflict. I’ve also learned how to give myself a chance, believe in me.”
P. N., Inmate

“I feel that this program has really helped improve my life by showing me about getting in touch with my inner me. I feel this program can help more people if they only give it a try. I say this because this is my second course of completion and it has done me a world of good. I truly thank you for this program.”
Georgianna, Inmate

“I enjoyed the course. It gave me such insight and so much hope for my future. I learned a lot about myself and how to overcome my future weakness like self-doubt. I know how to self-talk my future into positive affirmation and create my own. I now know I can do anything.”
Michelle, Inmate

“Visualization leads to goals which turn into plans which lead to action.”
Ed, In Recovery from Substance Abuse

“Through visualization I can see my future, thriving business. A better relationship with my family. The ability to interact in a social situation. And to leave a better impression on the world than I would if I were yet drinking.”
Don, In Recovery from Substance Abuse

Workshops
“Your seminar “Building Trust and Rapport Among Staff” was very helpful in building a stronger, more cohesive, more effective team of social service professionals at Rehabilitative Services, Inc. RSI employees are working together with greater cohesion and are showing more enthusiasm and creativity.”
Bruce Kirby, L.C.S.W.-C
Rehabilitative Services, Inc.

“The effectiveness of your workshops lay in the interactive activities undertaken with the students . . . Providing an experiential activity to build this awareness of the competitive nature of our culture helped the students to more fully recognize how this climate of competitiveness could impact their own leadership development.”
David Weeks, Director of Civic Leadership
Glenelg Country School

“I attended your training and the timing could not have been better. I am chairing a community group that is merging. In our most recent meeting I was able to apply the FAAER model . . . With FAAER, we were able to stay on track and focus on what we want to happen in a positive way.”
Dr. Karen Pell

“Thanks for the follow up: material from your workshop has already proven effective - many thanks!”
Peter Holtgrave, Director of After School Programs
Fellowship of Lights, Inc.

“You show the guys the tools they need to believe in themselves . . . Not only do you have a positive impact on the guys, but their families, their friends, and their community.”
Al Phillips, Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator
The Baltimore Station (a center for treatment of substance abuse)

“I have learned a lot from your program and I want you to know that your working here . . . changes lives of women in here.”
Caroline M., Resident
Baltimore Pre-Release Unit for Women

“The social skills you shared with the participants will follow them for a lifetime.” Maureen Reid, Correctional Case Management Supervisor
Baltimore Pre-Release Unit (for Men)