Program & Goals
Our program targets students who have attitude and behavioral problems in and out of the classroom. The 1+1=U program assists young men and women with self development and self actualization. Our young women, who we call U Girls and our young men, who we call U Guys, will participate in Saturday activities geared towards boosting academic and personal goals. Each student participating in the 1 + 1 = U program must sign an agreement to strive toward their best work, develop a list of personal goals and work hard to achieve each of them.
The Schedule
- Hour 1: Students will share personal issues in a safe environment – we recognize that everyone of us has issues and they can share their issues with us. Anyone not wanting to speak publicly about issues can meet one on one with a mentor or counselor. U Girls and U Guys are split during this first hour. The guys will meet with the men and the girls will meet with the women. Afterwards, they will come together for tutoring and conditioning.
- Hours 2 and 3: Tutoring in Math, Science, English and Spanish will take place during these next two hours. Speakers will also share personal stories about their own personal triumphs.
- Hour 4: Conditioning - football coaches will work with students on a physical level, teaching them about body respect, proper fitness and diet and overall appearance to improve self esteem.
- Periodically, there will be cookouts and other activities where both U Girls and U Guys will come together for recreational purposes. A Central High School alumni has 40 acres in Shelbyville, Kentucky and has agreed to lend the area to 1 + 1 = U as we need it.
The Girls
When the 1 + 1 = U program initially began, the primary focus leaned towards young men. However, activities that several teachers at Central High School saw taking place among young females brought our attention to the growing needs of our female population. Central High has more girls than guys, and from the mouths of these pretty young girls came some undesirable words, which coincided with undesirable activities they participated in. It was from this revelation that we decided that young females needed to be taught etiquette.
The Issues
Two girls approached our program leader and reluctantly admitted they were pregnant. Margaret Demaree assured them it would be okay and explained that these were the types of issues that 1 + 1 = U addresses with our U Girls. It occurred to us that these girls’ hesitation to admit their trouble already revealed somewhat of a connection to the program.
The Ceremony
Each year, U Girls and U Guys will participate in a ceremony that inducts them into the 1 + 1 = U program. This is particularly of interest and importance to the girls, who will receive U Girl Bracelets during this induction. The girls will get bracelets only after they have reached their goals. Thus, bracelets will be distributed during the ceremony at the end of the program instead of at the beginning of the program.
The Charm Bracelet and Medallion
Because Margaret loves jewelry, she wanted something that the 1 + 1 = U students would wear to symbolize their connection to something greater than 1 person. Also, this symbol would allow teachers to know a certain child was involved in a mentoring program, and if a particular student was having trouble, they would be able to contact 1 + 1 = U to let someone know. The bracelet is made of different charms with very specific meanings. Margaret could relate to each charm on a personal level and she knew the girls would be able to relate as well. Eventually, our goal is to mass produce the bracelet to help raise more money for 1 + 1 = U but for now, it will be a ceremonial part of the 1 + 1 = U program. A similar piece of jewelry for the U Guys will also be produced. Guys will receive medallions with engraved text, to signify the same as the charm bracelets.
The Goals
Each student entering the program has a set of personal goals he or she strives to achieve. Mentors work closely with each student to ensure he or she is working toward person goals and rewards for achieving those goals will be the receipt of the charm bracelet. Also, the 1 + 1 = U program plans to take student shopping in New York for a weekend to reward them for reaching a personal goal they set out to achieve. This, we believe, will show students that there are rewards for sticking with an objective and achieving that function. Those students who do not reach their goals will not be permitted to travel. After a student has completed the 1+1=U program, the following results should be achieved:
- Student has successfully increased verbal and written communication skills
- Student has successfully increased ACT or SAT test scores in preparation for college
- Student has enrolled in a military academy, reform school or college
- Students with learning disabilities are successfully identified and guided towards success
- Students in program are aligned with mentors who are in positions to offer jobs upon completion of school
- Parents of home-schooled students are well-prepared to make educated decisions regarding their children’s future
- Students who leave our program are now equipped to make a positive difference in the world, using the principles taught through the 1+1=U program
The Long Term Benefits
Because this program is an alternative to gangs, there will always be long term benefits to participating in the 1 + 1 = U program. Our program serves as new family, a new beginning and a new way of life for these students, and upon college graduation, they are still part of the 1 + 1 = U family. It will then be their turn to come back and educate, give and guide students just like they were guided at one point. In short, the 1 + 1 = U program hopes to take what would have been a long term mistake for some of these students and provide them with a long term benefit torch that gets passed from one generation to the next.
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