www.desertkids.org
Our mission is simple: Stepping Stones exists to help students and families… one step at a time! We do this by offering students full-time tutoring and counseling services and place them in an academic program customized to their current educational abilities. Counseling services are offered to the entire family as well.
Success in Three Steps! Stepping Stones is a three-step program for at-risk youth and their families. The first step is called “Enough IS Enough” where we work on five areas of the student’s life: Respect, Clean Room, Good Grades (C’s and Higher), Chores, and Expressions of Love. Unlike traditional schooling, the staff members of Stepping Stones are full-time tutors and counselors. We ensure the student’s overall success, not just in their education. This includes after-hour counseling sessions for both the parents and students alike.
The second step is called “Helping Hands” where the students perform one hour of community service each day. The jobs vary from janitorial to landscaping. We help the elderly, the homeless, and the handicapped; along with various projects to clean up our community. There are two reasons for this step. The first is so the students learn the value of starting and finishing a project. The second reason is so the students learn the distinction of blue collar and white collar jobs. Our saying is, “If you don’t want to pick up trash in 100° weather, get an education and pay someone else to do it!”
The third step is called “Pathways” where we partner students with a professional mentor in any professional area the students believe they would like to pursue. For high school students, this includes part-time jobs. Our greatest success was finding a student an internship with a local news channel. They were so impressed with his work they helped pay for his college education in broadcasting!
Success in Three Steps! Stepping Stones is a three-step program for at-risk youth and their families. The first step is called “Enough IS Enough” where we work on five areas of the student’s life: Respect, Clean Room, Good Grades (C’s and Higher), Chores, and Expressions of Love. Unlike traditional schooling, the staff members of Stepping Stones are full-time tutors and counselors. We ensure the student’s overall success, not just in their education. This includes after-hour counseling sessions for both the parents and students alike.
The second step is called “Helping Hands” where the students perform one hour of community service each day. The jobs vary from janitorial to landscaping. We help the elderly, the homeless, and the handicapped; along with various projects to clean up our community. There are two reasons for this step. The first is so the students learn the value of starting and finishing a project. The second reason is so the students learn the distinction of blue collar and white collar jobs. Our saying is, “If you don’t want to pick up trash in 100° weather, get an education and pay someone else to do it!”
The third step is called “Pathways” where we partner students with a professional mentor in any professional area the students believe they would like to pursue. For high school students, this includes part-time jobs. Our greatest success was finding a student an internship with a local news channel. They were so impressed with his work they helped pay for his college education in broadcasting!
View our story Stepping Stones Helps Struggling Students Find Their Way which aired on EYE on the DESERT October 20th, 2009 on Local 2 KPSP Palm Springs.
http://www.kpsplocal2.com/entertainment/default.aspx?articleID=246
http://www.kpsplocal2.com/entertainment/default.aspx?articleID=246
